Jumua-tul Wida—A Farewell to Your Old Self

Today is the last Friday of Ramadan, or Jumu’atul-Wida – a day of supreme significance owing to the special virtues associated with it. At once a day of celebration for ascending the ladder of spiritual success, it is also a sombre day for believers bidding farewell to the bounteous holy month of Ramadan.

On this occasion, our brothers and sisters all over the world stand in submission before their Lord, invoking His blessings and seeking repentance to emerge as better humans by the end of Ramadan.

Being one of the most auspicious days in Islam, Friday is considered a day when rewards for good deeds are multiplied in numbers known to Allah (SWT) alone. We are encouraged to fervently engage in increased supplications (prayers) in the last ten days of Ramadan, especially on Friday, owing to its virtuous nature that has been described in various ahadith, for example:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The wor“shaahid” refers to Friday. There is no day more virtuous than Friday. There is such an hour in this day that no Muslim will makduin it except that hiduwill be accepted. And he does not seek protection from anything except that Allah Ta’ala will grant him protection.” (Tirmidhi)

The last Friday of Ramadan also happens to be one of the days of great merit owing to its position within the last ten nights of Ramadan. But this year, it is even more special – tonight is also the 27th night, widely considered to be Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) i.e. a night better than a thousand months (Surah Al-Qadr, 97:3)

Make Dua on this day

Duas or supplications made before Allah (SWT) are known to be weapons of believers. It is through supplication that misfortunes are averted and blessings of this world and hereafter are achieved by presenting our desires before Allah (SWT).

As the Qur’an says, "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186). The last hour of Friday is considered a time where prayers are most likely to be accepted.

Give Sadaqah on this day

While praying for Allah’s mercy to surround us and for the safety of our parents and children, many of us overlook the fact that there are orphans who have no one to bless them, and abandoned elderly people who struggle to find care and compassion. We often forget that there are people who die of thirst, unfed and unclothed, uncertain of their next meal, while we are making plans to leave our worldly wealth to our loved ones.

Islamic wisdom has always been brimming with advice for humans to excel in life and all the messengers of Allah (SWT) have always urged people to realise their true purpose of creation which, besides submission to Allah’s will, is also to serve others and become a source of comfort in someone’s life.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261-262): "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear there are a hundred grains. Thus, Allah multiplies the action of whom He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow their spending with reminders of their generosity or injure [the feelings of the recipient] will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow."

Knowing the abundant blessings of the last Friday of Ramadan, it is only sensible for Muslims to reap maximum benefits through charity given on this day, so that the rewards are mentioned in our book of deeds, in multiples.

Whether it is building water wells in remote communities, sponsoring orphans to memorise the Holy Qur’an or helping our brethren in Palestine to rebuild their devastated lives towards prosperity, we urge everyone reading this to become a source of light in someone’s world.

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