Basic 8 · Religious and Moral Education · Marriage Rites
Islamic Marriage and Death Rites
In this topic you will describe how a marriage is contracted in Islam and how death rites are performed in the three main religions in Ghana.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe how an Islamic marriage is contracted
- Describe Christian, Islamic and traditional death rites
- Explain the beliefs and moral values behind these rites
What you already know
- Customary and Christian marriage
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Marriage Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.4 – Describe how a marriage is contracted in the three main religions in Ghana
Introduction
In Islam, marriage is called nikah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described it as part of his way of life, so Muslims are encouraged to marry.
1. Islamic Teaching on Marriage
The Qur'an says that Allah created spouses so that people may find peace with them, and that he placed love and mercy between them (Surah 30:21). In Islam, marriage is a contract between a man and a woman, witnessed by others. It is a legal agreement and also a religious act. Husband and wife have rights and duties towards each other. The husband must provide for the family, and both must treat each other with kindness. The Prophet said that the best of people are those who are best to their families.
2. Requirements of Nikah
| Requirement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| consent | both partners must agree freely |
| wali | the bride's guardian, usually her father |
| witnesses | two adult Muslim witnesses are normally needed |
| mahr | a gift from the groom to the bride |
| contract | the offer and acceptance are spoken |
The mahr belongs to the bride herself, not to her family. It might be money, jewellery or anything of value that she accepts. This is different from gifts in customary marriage, which are given to the family.
3. The Ceremony
- The families agree and the terms are settled.
- The Imam gives a short sermon about marriage.
- The offer and acceptance are spoken before the witnesses.
- The mahr is stated and given or promised.
- Prayers are said for the couple.
- The marriage is registered as the law requires.
- A feast called the walimah follows.
4. Polygyny and Divorce
Islam permits a man to marry up to four wives, on the condition that he treats them justly. The Qur'an warns that if a man fears he cannot be just, he should marry only one (Surah 4:3). Many Muslim men marry just one. Divorce, called talaq, is allowed, but it is discouraged and should come only after attempts at reconciliation. Ghanaian law registers Islamic marriages, and it requires that both partners should be adults. Forced marriage goes against both Islamic teaching on consent and Ghanaian law.
New words
- nikah
- The Islamic marriage contract.
- mahr
- The groom's gift to the bride.
- wali
- The bride's guardian.
- walimah
- The Islamic wedding feast.
Summary
- Nikah is a contract built on consent, witnesses and mahr.
- The Imam, the families and the walimah feast all play a part.
- Polygyny is limited by justice, and divorce is discouraged.
Class activity: Comparing Marriage
- Draw a table comparing customary, Christian and Islamic marriage.
- Use the headings consent, gifts, witnesses and number of spouses.
- Present it to the class.
You need: Wedding ring, Kente cloth sample, Printed photographs of Ghanaian marriage rites
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The Islamic marriage contract is called…
- A. nikah
- B. hajj
- C. aqiqah
- D. salat
Show answer
Answer: nikahMarriage.2. The mahr is given to the…
- A. bride
- B. Imam
- C. bride's father
- D. witnesses
Show answer
Answer: brideIt is her gift.3. Both partners must consent to an Islamic marriage.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueConsent.4. The Islamic wedding feast is called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: walimahFeast.5. State two requirements of nikah.
Show answer
Answer: Consent and witnesses, or mahr and a wali.Any two.6. What condition does the Qur'an give for having more than one wife?
Show answer
Answer: The man must treat his wives justly, and if he fears he cannot, he should marry only one.Surah 4:3.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Death Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.5 – Describe how death rites are performed in the three major religions in Ghana
Introduction
Death is the last rite of passage. In Ghana, the way a community honours its dead says a great deal about its beliefs.
1. Beliefs About Death
| Religion | Belief |
|---|---|
| Christianity | The dead will be raised, and Jesus' resurrection gives hope of eternal life. |
| Islam | The soul returns to Allah and faces judgement on the Last Day. |
| ATR | The dead join the ancestors, who watch over the living. |
2. Traditional Death Rites
When an elder dies in a traditional home, the family head is told first. The body is washed and dressed. Gun shots or drums may announce the death. Family members wear red and black cloth to show grief. Many hold a wake, when people keep watch and sing through the night. Libation is poured, and the dead person is told goodbye. Observances continue on the eighth and fortieth days and on the first anniversary. Among the Ga, some families bury their dead in beautifully carved coffins, shaped like a fish, a car or a cocoa pod, that reflect the person's life or work.
3. Christian Death Rites
- The family and the church are informed.
- A wake or laying-in-state may be held.
- At the funeral service, there are hymns, prayers, Bible readings and a sermon.
- The body is carried to the cemetery for burial.
- The minister says "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust".
- A thanksgiving service often follows.
4. Islamic Death Rites
- The dying person is encouraged to say the shahadah.
- The body is washed (ghusl) by people of the same sex.
- It is wrapped in plain white cloths (kafan).
- The funeral prayer (salat al-janazah) is said.
- The body is buried as soon as possible, facing Makkah.
- Mourners say, "To Allah we belong and to him we return" (Surah 2:156).
Muslims avoid expensive displays at burial. The plain cloth shows that rich and poor are equal before Allah. Close relatives usually mourn for three days, and a widow for four months and ten days.
5. Lessons and Concerns
Death rites comfort the bereaved, honour the dead and remind the living that life is short. Yet some Ghanaian funerals have become too costly, and families may fall into debt. Religious and traditional leaders have called for simpler funerals. Widows should also be protected from harmful widowhood rites. Honouring the dead should never hurt the living.
New words
- wake
- Keeping watch and singing before burial.
- ghusl
- The Islamic washing of the body.
- kafan
- The white cloths used to wrap a Muslim body.
- bereaved
- Those who have lost a loved one.
Summary
- Beliefs about the afterlife shape death rites.
- Traditional, Christian and Islamic rites differ in form, but all honour the dead.
- Funerals should comfort people without causing debt or harm.
Class activity: Comparing Death Rites
- Draw a table comparing the three rites.
- Discuss how funerals could be made less costly.
- Share two recommendations.
You need: Black funeral cloth, Bible, Printed photographs of Ghanaian funeral rites
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Muslims wrap a body in…
- A. plain white cloths
- B. red cloths
- C. kente
- D. a coffin only
Show answer
Answer: plain white clothsKafan.2. The Islamic washing of the dead is called…
- A. ghusl
- B. hajj
- C. zakat
- D. salat
Show answer
Answer: ghuslWashing.3. Muslims try to bury the dead as soon as possible.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePrompt burial.4. Keeping watch and singing before burial is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: wakeVigil.5. State two things done at a Christian funeral.
Show answer
Answer: Hymns and prayers, a sermon or Bible readings.Any two.6. Why have leaders called for simpler funerals?
Show answer
Answer: Costly funerals push families into debt, and simple rites still honour the dead.Moral concern.
Homework
- Write five sentences on what you learned about death rites.