Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, the National Imam of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah (ASWAJ), has advised Ghanaian Muslims against marrying by heart and giving birth by heart.
The respected cleric and author of “Investment In Islam and Spending In Allah’s Way” asserted that the Qur’an says Muslims can marry two, three, or four, but only if one is capable.
He emphasised that instead of bringing forth children one cannot look after, they grow up with no knowledge, no skills, and no schooling, and they become criminals.
According to Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, what Muslims are seeing in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the name of Islam is not Islam, as they are criminals with no faith.
The Muslim cleric made this known on Friday when he led the dedication of a newly constructed mosque and resource centre at Abeka, Accra, by the Kuwaiti humanitarian organisation, DirectAid, at a cost of GH¢3 million.
Addressing Muslims, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam stated, “We Muslims must wake up. Don’t marry by heart and give birth by heart”.
He urged Muslims to marry one and give birth to at most three children so they can take care of them.
The Muslim cleric cited that irresponsible marriages and unrestricted childbirth were contributing to rising crime and insecurity across West Africa.
Also, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has advised young men to avoid lavish weddings.
Duncan-Williams emphasised that men who borrow money to organise lavish weddings often face frustrations in their home due to the intense pressure from creditors.
According to Duncan-William, individuals must prioritise their lives and avoid spending all their earnings on weddings and end up in debt.
Preaching to his congregation, Duncan-Williams stated, “Most of the foolish things we do are to use our money for other things. For weddings, we go and buy all these white dresses and suits. We spend all the money on weddings.”
“So people have come, you’ve dressed nicely, but you are in debt, and they are calling for their money. Your phone is ringing, and somebody says, the money you collected, when can I have my money? And you can’t tell the lady that you borrowed some money to do shows”, he stressed.
He further recounted his own personal experience, adding that he got married at the 21 or 22.
Duncan-William revealed he got married because he felt pressured to do so.
He added, “You could tell that this guy is confused. I was like a sheep carried to the slaughter. I had no idea of what I was doing. I had no idea of what marriage was – I was just told I should marry, so me too, I married”.
“So let me say to some of you, when you get it all right, don’t do a wedding”, he counselled.
“If I were you, I would take that money that they are going to use for the wedding to do other things for the marriage itself. Just come to the office, sign the document, we bless you, you kiss one another, go home”, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams added.
Watch the video below: