Muslims especially the unmarried ones have been admonished to shelve their unbridled sexual desires as they go through a 30-day fast in the season of Ramadan.
They have rather been urged to exhibit generosity and charity to the less privileged in society as they seek the face of Allah for forgiveness within the period of fasting rather live lustful lifestyles.
Usman Seidu, Deputy Secretary from the Office of the National Chief Imam, however, observed that only legally married couple are allowed to have sex but indicated that that could be done after both have broken their fast.
In a recorded version of an earlier interview he granted Accra-based radio station monitored by MyNewsGh.com, he warned against various sinful acts in the season of Ramadan calling on Muslims to guard their lifestyles against them since the possibility of them committing such acts consciously or unconsciously.
In his view, abstinence from food, water, and sex is a vital requirement that will help them not to indulge in acts like sex seen as unpleasing to Allah.
“Fasting is a way of glorifying God and therefore it’s important to see everything as holy and abstain from sinful acts. Fasting is compulsory for every Muslim because we fast by choice and not by chance. In this time, we need to do things extra.
“Having sex with your wife when you break your fast is allowed but one can’t have sex during the fast especially to a married couple. If you are fasting, you cannot make love” he warned..
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims endure a period of daily fasting – the biggest act of religious observance of its kind.
For the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims, the annual event represents a time to fast and devote a particular focus to prayer, purification, and charitable acts.
The reason why Muslims fast is because it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the other pillars being faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to Mecca – the Holy City.