Fruitful Living
Reunion with loved ones (final)
For many, one of the most comforting promises is the possibility of reunion with loved ones in the Hereafter. Allah says:
“And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith — We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds.”
(Qur’an, 52:21).
This verse means that families who shared faith and righteousness will be reunited in Paradise, even if their levels of good deeds differed. The Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. also said that a person will be with those they love (Bukhari, Muslim) — meaning love for the righteous is itself a cause for closeness in the Hereafter.
Reward for the Righteous
The Qur’an paints vivid and hopeful images of Paradise:
“Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and pleasure.”(Qur’an, 82:13)
“No soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.”(Qur’an, 32:17).
The Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.) described the believer’s soul after death:
“The soul of the believer is a bird that eats from the trees of Paradise until Allah returns it to his body on the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim).
This imagery reassures believers that after life’s trials, eternal peace, joy, and honour await them.
Protection in the Grave
The journey of the afterlife begins in the grave, and Islam offers guidance on protection during this stage. The Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.) taught that Surah Al-Mulk intercedes for its reciter until they are forgiven (Tirmidhi).
He also mentioned that acts like sincere prayer, charity, and Qur’an recitation during life become a shield against the grave’s trials. For the believer, the grave is described as: “Either a garden from the gardens of Paradise, or a pit from the pits of Hell.”(Tirmidhi).
Hope in Allah’s Mercy
Above all, the believer’s greatest comfort lies in Allah’s infinite mercy. The Prophet narrated that Allah says: “My mercy prevails over My wrath.”(Bukhari, Muslim).
Even for those who fell short, sincere repentance before death is met with forgiveness, and even minor good deeds can tip the scales toward salvation.
The Islamic view of the afterlife is not meant to instill fear alone, but to inspire hope, patience, and perseverance. For the believer, death is the moment the doors to eternal mercy open. The Hereafter is where justice is fulfilled, wrongs are set right, loved ones are reunited, and the righteous enjoy the eternal presence of Allah — the ultimate reward.
Burial in line with the Sharia
Islam commands that the deceased be honoured with a swift, respectful, and Sharia-compliant burial.
Hastening the funeral:
The Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. said: “Hasten the funeral, and if the deceased was righteous, you are sending them to goodness; and if they were otherwise, you are removing evil from your shoulders.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Avoiding Unnecessary Delay:
Delay is permitted only for valid reasons, such as conducting investigations into a suspicious circumstances leading to the death of the diseased to unravel the truth, awaiting close relatives or fulfilling other legal obligations.
Sharia Burial Rites:
In Islam, the deceased is honoured through dignified and simple rites that reflect humility before Allah. The body is ritually washed (ghusl al-mayyit), as practised by the Prophet Mohammed s.a.w (Bukhari), and then wrapped in plain white cloth (kafan) to symbolise equality and purity (Abu Dawud). A communal funeral prayer (salat al-janazah) follows, offered without bowing or prostration, seeking Allah’s mercy for the deceased (Muslim). Finally, the body is laid in the grave facing the Qiblah, with simplicity and no extravagance, fulfilling the Prophet’s command: “Hasten the funeral.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Reflection
Death is the gateway to the eternal meeting with Allah. The wise Muslim lives every day with the awareness of this reality. The Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. advised:
“When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim).
Let us strive to prepare our hearts, rectify our deeds, and meet death with faith and peace, trusting in Allah’s mercy and justice.
- Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Saying no to sin becomes easier when love leads the way
Though each of us faces temptations periodically, saying no to sin should not always be a long internal debate. Saying no becomes easier when we remember that saying yes hurts someone whose love we cannot live without.
Love is a powerful motivator. When you deeply love someone, you do not want to disappoint them or break their trust. In the same way, when we truly understand God’s love for us, obedience becomes a response of love, not merely a religious duty.
Jesus did not die for us because we were perfect. He died for us while we were still sinners. His sacrifice at Calvary was the ultimate demonstration of personal, sacrificial, and unconditional love. Every drop of blood, every wound, and every moment of suffering was endured so that we could be forgiven, restored, and given eternal life.
When we keep the cross before our eyes, sin begins to lose its attractiveness. How can we casually embrace what nailed our Saviour to the cross? How can we take lightly what cost Him everything? This realisation does not produce fear—it produces devotion.
Living with eternal accountability
Romans 14:7–12 reminds us that we do not live to ourselves and we do not die to ourselves. Each of us belongs to God, and each of us will give an account of our lives before Him. This truth is not meant to terrify us, but to sober us.
Our choices matter. Our words matter. Our actions matter. Not because we are trying to earn salvation, but because our lives are meant to reflect the One who saved us. Christianity is not a casual commitment; it is a lifelong surrender.
Living with eternal accountability helps us make wiser decisions. It teaches us to think beyond the moment and consider eternity. It helps us resist temporary pleasures that can cause lasting damage to our spiritual lives and our witness.
Conclusion
No one is too wicked, too broken, too unlovable, or too far gone for Jesus to love. His grace reaches deeper than our failures, and His mercy is greater than our mistakes. The way to life is always open, and the invitation of grace still stands.
Walking in the way of life does not mean we will never stumble, but it does mean we will never walk alone. Christ walks with us, strengthens us, forgives us, and leads us forward. And as we keep our eyes on the cross, may our hearts remain anchored in the love that saved us and continues to transform us.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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Responsibility extends beyond our homes to our environment and communities.
Allah says: “It is He who has made you successors upon the earth.” (Qur’an 6:165)
As khalīfah (stewards), we are entrusted to protect and preserve the earth. Unfortunately, activities like illegal mining (galamsey), poor sanitation, and deforestation have become threats to our land and water bodies.
Dr Julian Agyeman and Bob Evans (2004) in Just Sustainability argue that environmental justice is deeply tied to social equity we cannot claim moral uprightness while destroying the environment that sustains others.
Every responsible man must see the environment as an amānah (trust). Picking up litter, planting trees, conserving water, and speaking against galamsey are all acts of faith. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift.” (Bukhari, Hadith 2320)
True responsibility therefore includes ecological consciousness for to destroy the environmentis to destroy the future we claim to build.
5.1 Environmental stewardship under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana establishes environmental stewardship not merely as a governmental obligation but as a moral and civic duty of all citizens. It integrates environmental protection into the nation’s vision for sustainable development, justice, and intergenerational equity. Three key articles Article 36 (9), Article 41(k), and Article 269 outline this framework of responsibility.
1. Article 36 (9): Directive principles of state policy
“The State shall take appropriate measures needed to protect and safeguard the national environment for posterity; and shall seek cooperation with other states and bodies for the purpose of protecting the wider international environment for mankind.”
This article establishes that environmental protection is both a national and global responsibility.
It commits Ghana to sustainable use of natural resources including land, forests, water, and minerals for the benefit of future generations.
In essence, it means that every Ghanaian must act with intergenerational consciousness, ensuring that today’s development does not destroy tomorrow’s heritage. This principle directly condemns harmful practices such as illegal mining (galamsey), deforestation, and pollution.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
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