Jumat-ul-vida: The holy Friday that everyone looks forward to
By: Mohd Amin Mir
There are Fridays. And then there is Jumat-ul-Vida — the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzaan. The devout believe that no prayer made during this month goes unanswered. So in that sense, Jumat-ul-Vida is like that one last chance to make a wish, to send up a prayer, to atone for your sins. Until next Ramzaan comes!
In Anantnag, there is an age-old tradition of the men folk heading to Mosque of ReshiMoulSahabto offer prayers. The roads leading to the mosque are washed and lined with white cloth for the lakhs of devotees who pour in to pray. The sight of fathers, sons and grandsons, dressed in sherwanis and Rumi topis, kneeling down to pray as the muezzin calls out to for prayer is perhaps the defining image of Jumat-ul-Vida. “It’s a sight that can move even the biggest skeptic’s among us to tears. Will we get another Ramzaan to share this love and pray here together —that’s the thought in everyone’s mind. That’s what makes this Jumma the holiest of them all,” says artist Fawad Tamkanath.
A day like none other for Ibadat
Jumat-ul-Vida is important for a number of reasons. In Islam, Friday is the most important day of the week where there is a congregational prayer. Ramzaan is the holiest month and its last 10 days — particularly the odd nights where we do extra ibadat (prayer) — are even more important. Combining these significant aspects together, Friday, plus Ramzaan and its final days — all make it special and solemn because this period of intense worship is drawing to an end. One recurring memory associated with this sacred day is a saying often used by elders in our family, ‘We never know whether we will be alive next Ramzaan to witness such intimacy of worship that we have experienced.’
What people of different walks say about this AupiousDay.
Ishfaq Ahmad Dar
Imaam Masjid shariefKralmad, Dooru
It’s an emotional day spent in prayer with your loved ones
The whole month of Ramzaan we ask Allah to forgive us for all our sins. We follow all the basic tenets of Islam and focus on zakat — or doing charity. Be it food, clothes, or money, we first give to those who don’t have it and then think of ourselves. On this day, there is a special focus on the recitation of the Quran, and then the whole family prays together and breaks the fast together. Some people go to mosque, but in our family, we pray at home. Jumat-ul-Vida is an emotional occasion.
Abdul Majeed Sheikh Kralmad:
It’s all about making the most of the last few days of Ramzaan
We look forward to Ramzaan with lot of anxiety, as it’s the month of ‘soul cleansing’ and brotherhood. It
is believed that all the good deeds you do in this one month are rewarded much more than any other time of the year. So, when the last Friday comes, the feeling of Ramzaan ending starts setting in. We never know how many of us will live to see another Ramzaan, how many would get another chance at redeeming themselves… So most people spend the last three-four days leading up to Eid doing charity, praying and spending whatever time they can with their loved ones. the whole family comes together and prays together whole night. At our place, we start praying from Thursday night itself — like how you bring in your birthday.
Muzamil Bashir:
A time to bid goodbye to the holy month
When I was a child — till I was 6-7 years old — I used to visit my grandfather’s grave during Jumat-ul-vida. I loved watching my dad clean the grave and pay his respects. Now that I have grown older, I can’t accompany him since women are not allowed in graveyards. Apart from the short trip to grandpa’s graveyard everything is same. We get together and offer our prayers with a belief that all our prayers will be answered. We sit down as a family and break the fast together. And when you live in a joint family, the celebrations automatically become grander. This Friday is all about bidding the holy month a good bye, spreading love and praying for each other’s well-being.
Abdul GaniPadder:
This day fills you with a new zeal to do good!
A couple of years ago, I spent Jumat-ul-vida at Madina. It was the best Ramzaan of my life. The experience was unbelievable — the whole atmosphere, the vibe — it was enlightening. The month is considered holy because the Quran was revealed to prophet in the month of Ramzaan. And because it’s the last Friday of Ramzaan, it has more significance. people try to lead a pious day and pray hoping there is a bigger connection with the almighty. Ramzaan is all about control of body over mind – not just hunger, you need to discard your desires and obsessions so that you are spiritually elevated. you can see that spiritual thirst in everyone.
Author is Incharge District Record Room Deputy Commissioner Office Anantnag
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
