The last Friday of the holy month of Ramdan is called ‘Jum’a-tul-Wida’s (departing Friday). Muslims with due religious fervour join Friday congregations and bid farewell today to this month of patience and self-restraint. The Holy Quran imposes obligation of the Friday prayer in the following verses. “O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (The day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the remembrance of the Amighty Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if ye but knew: and when the prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the bounty of Almighty Allah: and celebrate the praises of Allah often (and without stint) that ye may prosper”. (Sura Jum’a: Ayat 9-10). Generally, Friday ’ prayer is the weekly best prayer but this day gets a special virtuous merit in the holy month of Ramadan and the last Friday is of exceptional significance.
The importance of Friday prayer, specially in the departing hours of the holy month of Ramdan, thus bears added significance. On this holy occasion, we pray to pary to Almighty Allah to forgive our sins and bestow on us his mercy to make us united and victorious over all aggressive evil forces.
Huge attendance depicts the fervour and sanctity of the occasion. Special preparation, concentration and dedication beautifies the solemn ritual. The holy days thus come nearer to close for the year and the devotees under the leadership of the Imams bid farewell to these days: ‘Al-Wida Al-Wida Ya Shahri Ramzan.’ Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said “Let people desist and refrain from neglecting the Friday prayers, else Allah will make their hearts inaccessible and they will be among those who are ignored.” (Muslim Sharif). “Allah will make a mark on the heart deliberately neglecting Friday prayers.” (Abu Daud Sharif.) Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in his sermon on the day when the Friday prayer was made obligatory, said, “Let it be known that Allah has prescribed the Friday prayer for you on this spot, in this day, in this month, in this year, until the Day of Judgment. Whoever neglects it during or after my lifetime even though he has Iman, who abstains and strays from the right path, who disdains and rejects Allah’s Ordinance, may Allah grant him no reunification. Neither will his affairs be blessed. There shall be no prayer for him, no alms-giving, no pilgrimage, no fast.”
The importance of Friday prayer, specially in the departing hours of the holy month of Ramdan, thus bears added significance. On this holy occasion, we pray to pary to Almighty Allah to forgive our sins and bestow on us his mercy to make us united and victorious over all aggressive evil forces. Let us all pray to Allah, the most benificient and the most merciful, that by his divine grace he grants us chance so that this day comes back to our life in the coming years (Ameen)!
