Muslims around the world will soon bid adieu to the holy month of Ramadan and start the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, which will last for three days. While Muslims are busy preparing for Eid ul-Fitr in India and around the world, the last Friday of Ramadan, which is known as Jummat ul –Wida is being celebrated today.
Jammat ul-wida is of great significance among Muslims as it combines the greatness of the month of Ramadan as well as Friday (Jummah), which is the most important day of all seven days of the week. On this day, Muslims gather and celebrate by indulging into prayers, reciting the holy Quran, doing charity and helping the needy.
Significance of Friday
Friday is the sixth day in Islamic week. The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. In Islam, this day is given the most importance than any other days of the week. Every Friday, Prayer of Jummah is offered and for this prayer special time is taken. Imams of all Masjids deliver khutbah on a special topic every Friday.
From various ahadith, it is proven that Prophet Muhammad used to celebrate this day and he declared jummah as weekly Eid for muslims. He used to wear clean and new (washed) clothes, used to take bath, wear fragrance, wear surmah for this day specially.The Holy Prophet Muhammad described the virtues of Jummah prayer in the following hadith with these words;
”When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stands Angels who write down (the names of) those who come First, then who comes next. When the Imam sits down, the records are closed and they come to listen to the reminder , i.e. the Khutba….” Muslim 1984.
Last Friday
And today is the last Friday of the Month of Ramadan and has special significance from the fact that it embodies the spirit of this month. On this day every Muslim must dedicate some time to sit with himself to assess what he has done since the beginning of the month and what he should to do to accomplish what he has not accomplished yet.
Friday has its own significance in Islam and a special prayer is held on this day around noon. On this day, Muslims gather in large numbers to listen to a sermon by a cleric followed by a congregational prayer. Several main events in Islam take place on Friday, hence adds to the importance of this day over others, according to Islamic scriptures.
There is also another advantage of this particular Friday, The 29th of the month of Ramadan, in that it might be one of the blessed nights of Al-Qadr, since some traditions say that it should be sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of the Month of Ramadan. Thus one ought to prepare himself to receive this night and dedicate some time to think about God and feel the love of God in his soul, heart and mind and not just perform the traditional rituals, associated with the celebration.
Several main events in Islam take place on Friday, hence adds to the importance of this day over others, according to Islamic scriptures –
- Allah created Adam on Friday and he was also granted entry into heaven on this day.
- Adam was sent to earth on Friday
- Adam died on Friday
- On Friday, there is a special hour during which a person is granted anything lawful that he seeks from Allah.
- The day of Resurrection will be on Friday.
Friday the day of Dua’s
There are countless blessings of Friday, few blessings are listed below –
There is a blessed hour on Friday during which a person is granted anything lawful and good by Allah that he prays for. The blessed hour on Friday is such that Dua’s are answered and accepted (Bukhari, Muslim)
Every afternoon, the heat of hell is increased. However, through the blessings of Jumu’ah, this will not be done on Fridays. (Ihyaa ul-Uloom)
The word “shaahid” refers to Friday. There is no day more virtuous than Friday.
The Muslim who passes away on the night or during the day of Friday, Allah saves him from the punishment of the grave.” (Tirmidhi)
It is related from Imam Ahmad R.A that he said that in certain aspects the rank of the night of Jumu’ah is even higher than Laylatul Qadr One of the reasons for this is that it was on this night that Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) appeared in the womb of his mother Rasulullah’s (Allah bless him & give him peace) appearance in this world was a cause of so much good and blessings both in this world and in the hereafter that they cannot be enumerated. (Ash’atulLama’aat)
Without any shadow of a doubt the Last Friday of Ramadan is the day for the acceptance of du’as. Thus it is absolutely important that on this great day sincere prayers should be offered for the success, well-being and victory of the Muslim Ummah.
Must read Eid ul-Fitr: A Unique Festival Time of Joy for Muslims
