“Oh you who believe, When the call is given to the prayer of the day of Jummah then hasten towards the remembrance of Allah and leave all buying and selling (all worldly business) .” (The Holy Qur’an, 62:9).
Dr. Bilal A. Bhat / Intizar Ahmad
“Jumma tul Wida” is an important phrase in Islam, particularly in the context of the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It signifies the last Friday of Ramadan before Eid-ul-Fitr, which is the festival marking the end of Ramadan. “Jumma” refers to Friday, and “Wida” means farewell or goodbye. So, “JummatulWida” essentially means “Farewell Friday” or “Goodbye Friday” in Arabic, indicating the farewell to Ramadan and the anticipation of Eid-ul-Fitr. It’s a day of special prayers, reflection, and preparation for the upcoming Eid celebrations. Here are some key aspects of its significance:
Completion Of Ramadan: JummatulWida marks the conclusion of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. It signifies the end of the intense spiritual journey that Muslims undertake during this month, characterized by fasting, prayer, reflection, and self-discipline.
Opportunity For Reflection: As the final Friday of Ramadan, JummatulWida provides Muslims with a chance to reflect on their experiences and achievements during the month. It is a time for introspection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for any shortcomings in their worship and behavior throughout Ramadan.
Special Friday Prayers: Muslims gather in mosques on JummatulWida to perform the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers, which hold particular significance. The sermon (khutbah) delivered during these prayers often focuses on the themes of gratitude for the blessings of Ramadan, repentance, seeking forgiveness, and preparing for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
Charity, Good Deeds: Just as throughout Ramadan, charity (zakat) and acts of kindness hold great importance on JummatulWida. Muslims are encouraged to give generously to those in need, especially to ensure that everyone can partake in the joy of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Anticipation Of Eid-ul-Fitr: JummatulWida serves as a reminder that Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, is imminent. It is a time of anticipation and preparation for the joyous celebrations that follow the fasting month. The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. The Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “The best day on which the sun has ever risen is Friday; on that day, Prophet Adam (A.S) was created, he was admitted to Paradise, and he was expelled from there.” He has also said: “Among the best of your days is Friday. On that day, your blessings are presented to me directly.” He further said; “The Sun does not rise nor set on a day that is better than Friday, and there is no creature that is not scared of Friday except for humans and jinns.” They are afraid because the Judgment Day will be on a Friday (Imam Muslim, Abu-Dawood, Al-Nasai, and Al-Tirmizi). With the Juma’atulWida around the corner, we are winding down to the end of the most glorious month of the year, Ramadan al-Mubarak. Juma-tul-Wida or the Last Friday of Ramadan is meant for commemorating the farewell to this holy month of fasting. Every year, it is observed across the state of Jammu and Kashmir with religious fervor and sanctity. A large number of devotees attend the Juma prayers at different mosques seeking divine blessings for world peace and progress of the state and unity of the humankind. Juma’ah- tul-Wida refers to the last friday of the holy month of Ramadan. Juma’ah means gathering and wida means farewell, so this literally means “Gathering of farewell”. This day is marked to commemorate the farewell to the month of fasting. Every year, it is observed across the Muslim World with religious fervor and sanctity.
In Islam, Friday is the most remarkable day for worship and other righteous deeds. It is like Eid of the week for all Muslims because there is much similarity between Eid and Friday. On both days Muslims offer two cycles of salah and listen to Khutbah (sermon) of Imams. Allah, the Almighty says: “Oh you who believe, When the call is given to the prayer of the day of Jummah then hasten towards the remembrance of Allah and leave all buying and selling (all worldly business) .” (The Holy Qur’an, 62:9). The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best day on which the sun has ever risen is Friday; on that day, Prophet Adam (A.S) was created, he was admitted to Paradise, and he was expelled from there.” He has also said: “Among the best of your days is Friday. On that day, your blessings are presented to me directly.” He further said; “The Sun does not rise nor set on a day that is better than Friday, and there is no creature that is not scared of Friday except for humans and jinns.” They are afraid because the Judgment Day will be on a Friday (Imam Muslim, Abu-Dawood, Al-Nasai, and Al-Tirmizi). With the Juma’atulWida around the corner, we are winding down to the end of the most glorious month of the year, Ramadan al-Mubarak. Juma-tul-Wida or the Last Friday of Ramadan is meant for commemorating the farewell to this holy month of fasting. Every year, it is observed across the state of Jammu and Kashmir with religious fervor and sanctity. A large number of devotees attend the Juma prayers at different mosques seeking divine blessings for world peace and progress of the state and unity of the humankind. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) laid great emphasis on worshiping Allah on Friday. He said: “Any one who worships Allah on Friday will receive protection from Allah for the entire week.”
The importance of Friday is much more than other days of the week.The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: “Allah Almighty forgives the sins committed between two Fridays of the one who performs his Friday Namaaz regularly”. Of all days of Juma’a, Juma-tu-Wida is one of the most glorious Friday and the most important day for acceptance of prayers. One of the reputed Prophet’s companions Hadhrat Jabir Ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (RA) narrates: “I visited the Messenger of Allah on the last Friday of Ramadan. As he saw me, he said, “Jabir! This is the last Friday of Ramadan. You should thus bid it farewell by saying the following:(Allahumma la taj`alhuakhiraal`ahdi min siyaminaiyyahu) “O Allah: (please) do not make it the last of our fasting in this month.” (Fa-in ja`altahufaj`alnymarhumanwa la taj`alnymahruman) “But if you decide so, then (please) grant me your mercy and do not deprive me (of it).”
“Muslims should utilize the final moments of Ramadan—particularly the “blessed hour” of Friday—for sincere self-introspection. By evaluating their spiritual progress and comparing their character before and after the month of fasting, believers can transform their regret over Ramadan’s departure into a commitment to lasting change, celebrating their growth while seeking to rectify remaining shortcomings.”
In fact every Friday of the holy month of Ramadan is special in the Sharee’ah. When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stand angels who write down those who come First, then who comes next. From various ahadith, it is proven that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to celebrate this day and he declared jummah as weekly eid for muslims. He (PBUH) used to wear clean and new (washed) clothes, used to take bath, wear fragrance, wear surmah for this day specially. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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. From authentic ahadith, it is taken that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised Muslims to recite surah al-Kahf on every Friday to keep safe from the fitnah of dajjal.
While the fast on Jummah is forbidden i.e., the single fast in a week cannot be observed on jummah but it can be observed in pair i.e. with Thursday or with Saturday. From the history, it is proven that Jummah was most important day for the previous nations as well. Thus, Friday is considered a special and important day right from the very beginning of humanity. Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.” Bukhari,2:425, Muslim,2:582 ( Book of Friday Prayer) Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had said, “We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur’an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday.” Rasulallah (pbuh) is reported to have said, “Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jummah since they are presented to me.” (Ibn Majah). Departing of holy month of Ramadan is well felt by those who experienced the pleasure of fasting, breathed in the blissful and compassionate atmosphere of this month, and who were relieved of evils of the Satan. In short, there are countless blessings of Friday one cannot sum up all of them in a single article. There is a blessed hour on Friday during which a person is granted anything lawful and good by Allah SWT that he prays for.
The blessed hour on Friday is such that Dua’s are answered and accepted (Bukhari, Muslim) (from my research it’s an hour in ‘Asr to Maghrib) . All muslims, more or less, feel a sense of regret by departure of the Holy month of Ramadan. However, the best thing we could do on this occasion is to take an account of ourselves. We need to do an evaluation of where we stand now after remaining hungry and thirsty for so long. We should ask ourselves certain questions like where we were before the arrival of Ramadan and where we are moving now after passing the days of fasting. Let this self-introspection lead us to feel infinite happiness for the good we have done throughout Ramadan and remorse for the bad which we have not yet changed, even at the end of Ramadan. For Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The period signifies spiritual purification for Muslims and they are encouraged to engage in acts of charity. It’s said that fasting during Ramadan develops a person’s taqwa—becoming conscious of God, being pious, and self-restrained. For believers, the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan are important, and they try to increase the intensity of worship. Laylat al-Qadr, Arabic for “Night of Decree” or “Night of Power”, is believed to fall within the last ten days of Ramadan. This is the holiest time for Muslims. According to the Middle East Eye, “Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year for Muslims, who believe it is when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic scholars differ on the exact meaning of Laylat al-Qadr, as the word can be interpreted in different ways. Some scholars believe that Qadr means ‘destiny’ or ‘decree’, as it is the night in which every person’s destiny was determined.” It is also known as “The Night of Power” or “Shab-e-Qadr”, and it’s said that acts of worship performed on this night carry greater rewards. It’s said that giving Zakat or Sadaqah during Ramadan is multiplied by 70 times. To conclude, Believers would be wise to take advantage of the blessings God sends down to His slaves on Friday. This is a day of congregation, a day of celebration, and a day of contemplation and supplication.May Allah keep us guided and on the straight path, and purify our intentions to make it solely for His sake, and give us the understanding in Islam. Ameen! Remember us in your precious prayers.
(The authors write regularly on Islamic Topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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