Thursday, 13th March, 2025
Hon Hamza Adam
Kumbungu
I am guided, Mr Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.
Rt Hon Speaker, it is with great honour, gratitude and pleasure to be given this opportunity to make this important Statement on the sacred month of Ramadan, fasting. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It entails abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations from before the light of dawn until sunset. It is an obligation on all Muslims to fast during the fasting month, Ramadan, and those who are unable to fast due to ill health should give charity or fast to make up after Ramadan. Allah, the Most High, says in the Glorious Quran, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may have Godconsciousness”.
(Al-Baqarah) Mr Speaker, fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every Muslim, male or female, who fulfils the following conditions: To be mentally and physically fit. To have obtained the age of puberty and discretion, which is normally about 14. However, children under this age should be encouraged to practice. To be resident, (not to be travelling on a journey up to 50 miles or more. In the case of women, to be free from menses (hayd) or post-birth bleeding (nifas).
Mr Speaker, those who are exempted from fasting include the insane, children under the age of puberty, the elderly and chronically ill persons. For whom, fasting is unbearable.
A person in this category is required to feed one poor person for every day he does not fast in Ramadan. Pregnant women and nursing mothers, who fear that fasting, may endanger the lives or health of their foetuses or babies. However, they are required to make up after Ramadan. People in the course of travelling, should make up for the days they do not fast later. Women during the period of menstruation or post-childbirth confinement should make up for the days they do not fast later.
Mr Speaker, fasting is done in accordance with the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) strongly recommended the following: to make the ninth meal (Suhuur) close to the time of dawn prayer (Fajr) as possible. To break the fast as soon as one is sure that the sun has set. To say the prayer (du’aa’) that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) used to say at the time of breaking his fast (Iftar). To avoid any act that is contradictory to fasting.
To do good deeds, especially observing special night prayers immediately after Isha’ (tarawih), Qur’an recitation, remembering of Allah by his beautiful attributes and names (Zdikr), giving of charity among others. Abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intercourse with one's wife from dawn till sunset. Abstaining from evil tongue and actions. On the authority of Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said, “whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah will not accept his fasting”. (Bukhari, sawm 8, Edeb 51)
Mr Speaker, charity is one of the key things our beloved Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) employed to create a balance between the able and the less privileged. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to intensify giving of charity during Ramadan. The Prophet says, “the best charity is given in Ramadan”. (Tirmidhi: Zakat, 28/663)
Mr Speaker, seeking blessings from the night of power (Laylatul-Qadr), in Ramadan is the most virtuous night in the year. Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an, “We have indeed revealed this message in the night of power and what will explain today what the night of power is. The night of power is better than a thousand months”. (Al-Qadr 97:1-3) It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever stays up and prays during Laylat Al-Qadr, with faith, and in the hope of reward in his previous sins, will be forgiven”.
To this end, every Muslim should strive and not miss the opportunity of obtaining multiple rewards in these days. It is highly recommended that all Muslims should draw nearer to Allah to get blessings of Laylat Al-Qadr in the last day of Ramadan.
Mr Speaker, I call on all Ghanaians to extend a supporting hand to our Muslims engaged in fasting by showing kindness, understanding, tolerance, and solidarity. May the Almighty Allah accept our Ramadan and grant all of us our heart's desires. I wish all Muslims a blessed Ramadan. May Allah bless us all.
I am most grateful, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Hon Bawah Muhammad Braimah
Ejura Sekyeredumase
Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity and let me use this opportunity to wish all our Muslim brothers Ramadan Mubarak.
Ramadan or fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. Usually, it is always carried out in the ninth lunar month of every year, which is the Ramadan.
As eloquently narrated by the maker of the Statement, Allah enjoins us in Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 1, verse 18 to 3, verse 1 to 3 to fast in the month of Ramadan. Ramadan has both spiritual and health benefits. Spiritual benefits in the sense that it is a time that one gets closer to Allah, and it is a time that, every day of the month, one is supposed to fast from dawn to night and also to be self-disciplined.
Because if one set out and fast, there is nobody to check whether one is fasting or not, but the person himself has to be selfdisciplined and ensure that, at least, he or she abides by the dictates of the religion. There is no compulsion when one is not in a position to fast. There are avenues or ways that one can atone for not being able to fast.
Like if one is on a serious journey—But these days and modern age, I do not think those things still exist now. Because in this modern age, we travel in cars and in aeroplanes, and it was during the previous era that, if people are not able to journey on, let us say, automobiles, that they are exempted from fasting, but even with that, the person pays up immediately Ramadan finishes. Also, lactating mothers and pregnant women are exempted from fasting.
This is to ensure that, at least, it does not go against their health. Let me emphasise on the significance of the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is in the last 10 days that it is believed that we have the Night of Power, which is the Laylat al-Qadr where it is said that it is as more important than the rest of the nights in the year all around.
And that is the day that it is found in the last 10 days. Because no one knows the exact date, but, at least, it is between the odd dates: either the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 27th nights, so we are enjoined that, at least, in the last 10 days, we intensify our prayers and also ensure that, at least, we stay throughout the night and pray, so that we get the benefit of the Night of Power. It is also a month where every Muslim is enjoined to do a lot of good deeds and also give to charity.
Islam is such that, at least, at the end of the fasting, which is when we have the Eid al-Fitr—Before the Eid al-Fitr, it is enjoined, at least, a day or at the dawn of Eid al-Fitr, we perform the Zakat al-Fitr, which is giving out of food to the needy, so that, at least, on the day of the Eid, they can also have something to also feed on. So, if we look at—
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to say that Islam is not a religion of compulsion. It is a very flexible religion. It is as and when one is fit to do fasting that Allah enjoins you to do it. If one is not fit, there are prescriptions where one can atone for the days that he or she has not been able to fast.
Let me use this opportunity to, once again, wish our fellow Muslims the best of the season, which is Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasts, and may Allah forgive us our shortcomings.
Hon Alhassan Kobina Ghansah
Asikuma/Odoben/ Brakwa
Mr Speaker, thank you, for permitting me to contribute to the beautiful Statement by Prof Hamza Adam.
Mr Speaker, as Prof Adam rightly said, fasting in the month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims all over the world, and it is compulsory to get involved. But Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity, and that was why Allah gave some exemptions to pregnant women, old age, and children under puberty age.
Mr Speaker, the significance of this fasting, as my Brother rightly said, has some spiritual and health benefits. The spiritual benefits include connecting to your Creator. All of us can observe that, during the month of Ramadan, we normally do away with the social vices that we engage in, only to do good deeds. It is gratifying to note that, in the month of Ramadan, Allah enjoins believers—That is why there is a word he used in the Holy Quran: Yaa Ayuha Lazina Amanu. Allah talks to believers to observe the fast. The fast is observed for a fixed number of days: either 29 or 30, depending on the sighting of the moon and then ending it with a sighting of the moon in one’s country.
The health benefits are a lot, but if we read the Holy Quran, we come to a point that Allah says we should fast and if only we knew that there are benefits at the end of the fasting. The health benefits include reduction in cholesterol, weight loss. It lowers your sugar level and a whole lot. It even takes off the risk of getting cancer, according to the Holy Quran and the commentary that goes with it. So, we enjoin every Muslim all over the world to try, as much as possible, to do some fasting and take part in the fasting in the month of Ramadan. So, that we all enjoy the benefits that are accrued and highlighted by the Holy Quran.
Mr Speaker, it is also gratifying to note that as we exempt ourselves from food and drinks and sexual relations, we normally know the impact of exempting ourselves from food and drinks and, for that matter, it permits us to embark on charity, so that Allah gives us the blessings that goes with it.
Mr Speaker, at the end of the entire fasting month, we attain righteousness. The underlying fact is that we fast to become righteous so we enjoin everyone to get involved to attain righteousness. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Hon Issah Atta
Sagnarigu
Mr Speaker, let me commend the maker of the Statement.
I would move away from the religious obligation that imposes on us to fast for a period of thirty days. Islam means total submission to the will of Allah.
During the month of Ramadan one critical observation that is often observed across the globe, most especially Muslim-dominated communities or Islamic countries, is the respect for social norms, laws, and reduction in crime rates because we tend to be holy for a period of one month. So, at that stage, you will not be seeing stealing, killings, and all other social vices. I think that it is a reflection we must observe as Muslims to know that this is the purpose of our creation; that is how God wants us to be. It should not just end when fasting is over.
We must redefine the notion out there or the perception about Muslim youth in terms of radicalism, in terms of most criminal activities. I think that Islam affords us the opportunity in periods like this to show the other side of ourselves.
It is also good in terms of economic welfare redistribution or income redistribution. That is the only time you see levels of inequality reducing because it is the best period for charity.Last year, I observed Umrah in Mecca, and what I observed was that on the way from Maghreb to one’s hotel, one would see people sharing food, clothes and money. That is a period where income really flows from the rich to the poor in order to fulfill the Islamic Order.
And finally, I also want to join the call on every well-meaning Ghanaian, and not necessarily Muslims, to show love and solidarity, as we also do in periods of Easter, Christmas, and also the traditional religious performances.
On that note, I once again thank the maker of the Statement.
Hon Abdul-Khaliq Mohammed Sherif
Nanton
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would want to thank the maker of the Statement and then also associate myself with the Statement made by Prof Hamza. I would say Ramadan Kareem to every Muslim around the globe.
Mr Speaker, we are blessed as a country. We have a country where Muslims and Christians live together in peace and harmony. We have a country where Muslims, Christians, and traditional believers believe that there is this one Ghana that we all belong to.
I remember my stay in Prempeh College as a first-year student. Prempeh College is a school that is being run by the Methodists and the Presbyterians, but in Prempeh College, I was amazed when it was time for fasting. Food was left behind for us as Muslims to fast at dawn and also to break our fast in the evening. In our diversity as a country lies our unity. And I must say that we continue to pray, even as we are in this month of Ramadan, that God will continue to bless this our homeland, Ghana, and make every Ghanaian– irrespective of religion, tribe or region where we are all coming from – understand that we are all human beings, we are all Ghanaians, and we must all work together for that better Ghana we are all looking for.
Again, Mr Speaker, I would also want to say that in Ramadan, even though it is 30 days, it is usually divided into 10-10 days. So, for the first 10 days, we have always prayed for what? Blessings. We have prayed for the blessings of this very country of ours. Ghana is blessed. In this month of Ramadan, Ghana is blessed. The second 10 days is for forgiveness of sin. We pray all of us in here—We are humans; we are fallible. We pray to God for forgiveness of our sins. And the last 10 days is for us to pray against the hellfire. They tell us that this earth we are on, we are in transit. We are travelling; our final destination is somewhere else. And we pray that on the day that we start our final journey, we will all be found in heaven.
Mr Speaker, before I take my seat, I would want to remind all of us that fasting is not just about our spiritual well-being, but also the health aspect of it. I was amazed when I heard one Dr Suburu from the Tamale Teaching Hospital say that last year, 2024, we had about 100 cases of heart-related conditions reporting to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Actually, worldwide, heart conditions claim about 19 million lives every year. What are the common conditions that predispose us to cardiovascular problems? Some of the common things have to do with our high levels of cholesterol; high levels of diabetes and hypertension. It is known by literature that once one is able to control their level of cholesterol, then it also controls one’s risk of getting what we call the coronary heart disease.
And fasting has been shown to decrease the levels of those cholesterols and triglycerides. There is an amazing thing that is coming up again, and it has been reported in the American College of Cancer, that in animals, they are noticing that intermittent fasting is increasing their susceptibility to the chemotherapy that is being given to these particular animals.
So, in essence, what it means is that if we try this with humans in the future, it is possible that with intermittent fasting, if someone is a cancer patient, their risk or the toxicity that is related with them taking chemotherapy may come down. Again, for those of us who want to lose weight, the literature is suggesting that if one has about 12 hours of intermittent fasting in about three months, one can lose about nine per cent of their weight. So, I would say all in one, that Ramadan Kareem to everyone. Fasting is for the spiritual well-being of all of us. It is also for our health and wellbeing. We wish all Muslims around the globe Ramadan Kareem. We also want to solidarise with our people in Palestine, that in fasting, we are with them.
May Allah be with us. As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Hon Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama
Walewale
Thank you for the opportunity.
I was in a Committee meeting but I went to my office and I realised that this topic was being discussed and I decided to rush in. I do it in solemn belief that fasting is prescribed by the religion. And if you read the Quran, chapter 2, verse 183, it clearly says that fasting is prescribed for you so that you may give thoughts and remember Allah.
Mr Speaker, the previous contributors have highlighted the importance of fasting, which has been scientifically proven that irrespective of one’s faith, once in a while, it is important that they fast for the health of their body, mind and soul. But the spirituality of fasting is not just to go hungry or starve one’s self. One is also required to starve themselves of their sight, hearing, and thoughts. During Ramadan, there are restrictions as to what one can watch, hear, and as to what they can think of because it all goes into the quality of one’s fasting.
Those who do not fast, only think of fasting as though we go hungry for the whole day, but it is not just the hunger and the thirst, but what we see, hear, and watch all go into the quality of our fasting. And I actually urge all of us that— In fact, it is a month of compassion. In other words, we learn to be tolerant and show empathy towards one another. It is a month that we are required to give more alms. Almsgiving is actually an important part of this month.
Mr Speaker, apart from that it shows sacrifice. Sacrifice is a virtue, not just for the individual, but for the nation. The value or virtue of being sacrificial in one’s life. These are the virtues of fasting, and we can go on and on with the thesis of the spiritual, health and economic importance of fasting.
Mr Speaker, what is important that we need to know is that even if one does not fast or does not have the wherewithal or the strength to fast, or one’s health conditions are not so good for them to fast, there are ways one can atone for it. I listened to my senior Brother mention some of those ways. But more importantly, those of us who have people who are not so well-to-do in our community, this is the month they need to extend a hand of support to people in those areas.
Mr Speaker, I join my Colleague to say, Eid Mubarak! Happy Ramadan to the people of Walewale, to the people of Ghana, and the world at large. Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
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