Nana Addo Fulfilled The Quran To The Letter - Mustapha Hamid

An Islamic Scholar, Mustapha Hamid, has debunked the Daily Post newspaper accusation of Nana Akuffo-Addo’s alleged contempt for Muslims because he chose to hold a political programme on one of the holiest days on the Islamic calendar.

Mr. Mustapha Hamid, who was also once an aide to Nana Akuffo Addo, the NPP’s flagbearer, told Xfm 95.1 in an interview that, Nana Addo has not disrespected the Muslims by giving his policy statement on Eid day. To him, it was “gross ignorance” on the part of the newspaper to write that the NPP flag bearer would not have had his conference on Christmas day and that he has shown clear disregard for the Muslims by having his programme on their (Muslims) day.

According to him, “there is no concept of sabbath in islam”. Quoting from the Quran, he said, “chapter 62 verse 9 to 10 talks about the Muslim worship, especially on Friday. Mustapha Hamid pointed out that the Quran explicitly states “when you hear the call of Allah on Friday, close your businesses and hearken to the voice of Allah. But when you have finished, go back to your businesses and seek the bounties of your lord.”

He argued that this was the reason why Muslims are found trading and going about their businesses even on their holy day. The Muslim Scholar said that in Islam, there are two types of relationships; Ibadah, which is a person’s relationship with Allah, and Muamalat which is the relationship a person, has with other human beings.

He also revealed that every Muslim is taught to seek first Ibadah and then Muamalat everyday adding that “that is why we pray five times a day, basically fulfilling the Ibadah. But Allah also enjoins that before the close of the day we must meet as humans and seek to develop ourselves as human beings, which is fulfilling the Muamalat aspect of it.”

Consequently, he said, the Daily Post publication runs contrary to the precepts of Islam and Nana Akuffo Addo rather showed a true understanding of Islam.

“…that is why after praying to Allah on the Eid day, we met in groups to observe the Muamalat part through feasting….This is Islam, not Christianity,” he said.