The literal meaning of Jumu’atul-Widaa is, ‘Friday of farewell’. It is the last Friday of the month of Ramazan and falls just before Eid-ulFitr.
What is Jamat-Ul-Vida?
Jamat- Ul-Vida holds a very special place in the religious beliefs of a Muslim. As is the Islamic tradition, every Friday is special as Muslim men are required to gather at mosque on Friday for their mid day Namaz (prayer). This specific Friday which falls before Eid-ul-Fitr becomes all the more important for Islamic community. On this day of Jamat-Ul-Vida, they perform special prayer in addition to their regular Friday prayers. They do this by reciting Holy Quran for the whole day.
Jamat-Ul-Vida 2016 Date
In the year of 2016, this special festival of Muslim community, Jamat-Ul-Vida will be celebrated on 1st July 2016.
The Significance of Friday (Jummah) in Islam
Of all the seven days of the week, Friday (Jummah) is considered the most auspicious day by the followers of Islamic religion. It is believed that on Friday,
- there is an hour when Allah grants all the wishes that are asked for by the Muslim people while praying
- Allah created ‘Aadam’ on this day of Friday
- Charity done on Friday is has greater value than the charities done on any other day
- when Muslims pray and listen to what Imam says in the mosque, their sins are forgiven for the week, until the next Friday
Therefore, every Friday or Jummah is considered to be the best day to offer prayers to Allah.
Why is Jamat-Ul-Vida Important?
As this Friday, the Jamat-Ul-Vida, is the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, it holds great significance. In the month of Ramzan, Muslims fast for the whole month and offer prayers to Allah several times a day. This fasting for a whole month is a scared practice to bring the devotees close to Allah. On the day of Jamat-Ul-Vida, people want to reach the height of prayers as Friday has been declared as the dearest day of Allah. And when this Friday is the last Friday of the Holy month of Ramzan, it becomes very special for not only Allah but also for His followers. Muslims believe that prayers for forgiveness this day will be heard by Allah and all their sins will be forgiven.
Not only this, when they give charity on this day of Jamat ul Vida, Allah will give them rewards. They read Quran for the whole day because they believe, this will help them in leading their life in the best possible manner as well as they will be guided for the life after death.
How is Jamat-Ul-Vida Celebrated?
Muslims on this day of Jamat-Ul-Vida gather in mosques in large numbers. Men have to compulsorily go to the mosque to pray while women have the option to pray at home too.
Right in the morning, Muslim men take bath and wear clean clothes and their skull caps. They go the mosque after this cleaning ritual and pray in large gatherings. Sometimes, tents are erected outside the mosques to accommodate large number of gatherings on Jamat-ul-Vida. Muslim men offer their regular Friday prayer and after that pray in special ways for Jamat-Ul-Vida by reading Quran. In fact, in India, on this day of Jamat-ul-Vida, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen organizes ‘Quran Day’ every year at Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad.
In the evening of Jamat-ul-Vida, the fast is broken like any other day of Ramzan. Devotees eat Iftar meal with family and friends.