“Don’t marry by heart, don’t give birth by heart” – Sheikh Umar to Ghanaian muslims

The National Imam of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah (ASWAJ), Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, has called on Ghanaian Muslims to act responsibly in marriage and family life, cautioning against marrying “by heart” and giving birth “by heart” without the means to support children.

The respected cleric and author of Investment in Islam and Spending in Allah’s Way gave the advice on Friday during the dedication of a newly built mosque and resource centre at Abeka in Accra. The GH¢3 million project, located behind Abeka Market, was financed by the Kuwaiti humanitarian organisation, DirectAid.

Sheikh Umar, who cut the ribbon alongside DirectAid’s Country Director, Mr Sami Henedak Ahmed, urged worshippers to see marriage and childbirth as sacred responsibilities. He warned that unchecked marriages and unplanned families were fuelling crime and insecurity across West Africa.

“We Muslims must wake up. Don’t marry by heart and give birth by heart,” he said, stressing that the Qur’an permits marrying more than one wife only if a person is financially capable. “If you cannot provide, marry one. When children grow up without knowledge, skills or schooling, they become criminals. What we see in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the name of Islam is not Islam – they are criminals with no faith.”

The cleric further encouraged Muslims to invest in both their spiritual and personal wellbeing, insisting that responsible family life was vital for community stability.

■ DirectAid’s support

DirectAid’s director, Mr Ali Abdul Salam Ali, explained that the one-storey structure took nearly two years to complete and would serve as both a mosque and a community resource centre for the Abeka Zongo.

The chairman of the building committee, Mr Dawuda Zakaria, described the mosque as a “fortress against poverty, addiction, ignorance and division.” He said it would act as a hub for prayer, learning, healing and renewal.

“This mosque is more than a place of prayer. It is a centre for rebuilding the moral fabric of our society,” he said, applauding the youth of the community for their labour and prayers in bringing the project to life.

Mr Zakaria also reminded congregants of Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that “cleanliness is half of faith,” urging them to maintain clean homes, streets and hearts as part of their devotion.

He expressed gratitude to DirectAid for its generosity, as well as to community leaders and elders whose wisdom supported the project.