Jumat-ul-Vida

Jamat-ul-Vida is a very special occasion for the Islamite community. This holy festival is observed year on year one day before the end of Ramzan month. This day is dedicated to the reading of Quran the whole day combined with special prayers and worship of the almighty.

The literal meaning of the expression Jummat-al-Wida derived from the word ‘Jamat Ul Vida’ is Good Wishes of the Holy Quran. This day is unique in assuring the blessings of Allah in abundance. For this purpose, the Muslims gather at the mosque and engage themselves in scriptural reading, charity works, poor feeding and helping the needy people. Usually on this day, special prayers are done at the mosques for the welfare of the whole world.

The importance of Jamat-ul-Vida ensues from the word of Prophet Mohammed who had greatly extolled the importance of Fridays. He states that Fridays are more important and blessed then the other days of the week as Allah will protect those who read Quran especially on this day. It is said that an angel representative of God visits every mosque on this day to listen to the prayers done. Friday prayers are in fact specially called as Imam. It is also said that Allah will forgive the sins of those who do special prayers on Friday more so in the early morning of the day.

On the day of Jamat-ul-Vida, devout Muslims visit their dedicated mosques early in the morning to revere and pray to Allah. They fill themselves with the belief that the angels listen to them attentively and shower their blessings on them combined with mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, the prayers done on this day are all the more special and rewarding. Furthermore, Muslims strongly believe that the prayers offered on this day will never go unnoticed and would be answered quickly.

On this day, tents are erected around the mosques to accommodate the swelling crowds. Usually no Muslim stays at home avoiding the prayers on this day due to the paramount importance attached to the reading of Quran on this holy occasion.

On the whole day starting from early in the morning, Quran is read many times. A special prayer in the morning marks the beginning of the activities of the day and the day stretches itself with a number of charity deeds and other activities aiming at helping the needy. Most importantly food is given away in charity on this day. In order that the devotees face comfortable spending of the day, prior arrangements are done in every mosque.

On this day the people also arrange for special feasts at their homes and enjoy with their family members, friends, neighbors and relatives. Essentially, people are first asked to forgive those who have wronged them so that Allah may forgive their own sins and misdeeds. This day exhorts people to be good to all and sincerely abide by the injunctions laid down in the holy book of Quran reminding them of their religious duties.

Though this day is not listed popularly in the holiday calendar, Jamat-ul-Vida is a highly significant day that is endowed with a great spiritual import for the Muslims.