Jamat-Ul-Vida: Significance And History

The Holy month of Ramzan is slowly coming to a close. The month of Ramzan is the ninth month of the calendar that the Muslim community follows. It is believed that this was the month that the Holy book of Quran was conceived. It is believed that it is in this month that the Prophet Muhammad gave his first speech.

The Holy month of Ramzan comes to a close on the day of Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr. The day before Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated all over the world as Jamat-ul-Vida by the Muslim community.

It is a holy festival on which day the Muslims have special prayers that are performed along with the regular daily prayers. They recite the verses from the holy Quran for the whole day.

23rd June, Friday, is the day Jamat-ul-Vida is being celebrated this year.

How Is Jamat-ul-Vida Celebrated?
Fridays are considered to be very auspicious by the Muslims and the Islamic culture. The Fridays of each week are seen as an opportunity for salvation, worship and blessings. The festival Jamat-ul-Vida or Jamat-ul-Wida is a symbol of the good tidings and good wishes of the Quran.

This festival is spent in reciting the Holy Quran and performing social and charity acts to earn the Almighty's blessings. The poor are often clothed and fed to please the God.

The prayer of Jamat-ul-Vida is also considered as the last prayer of the Ramzan month. It is therefore very sacred and auspicious. Muslims gather in places of worship in thousands and together they perform the worship. The mosques are filled with devotees who want to offer their prayers on this day.

History Of Jamat-ul-Vida
Jamat-ul-Vida or the Friday prayers are thought to be very sacred. This is because of the words of Prophet Muhammad. According to Prophet Muhammad, Fridays are special and especially close to God. So, this day is to be spent in worship and charity work.

It is said that if a person spends his Friday in chanting and reciting the Holy Quran, he will receive the blessings and protection of the God for the whole of the next week. It is believed that an angel of God visits the mosque and hears the Friday prayers or Imam. A believer who prays early in the morning of a Friday will get all his prayers answered. All the sins of a devotee will be forgiven if he offers Friday Namaz regularly.

Other Rituals Of Jamat-ul-Vida
Apart from the obligatory prayers, the Muslims spend the whole day in reciting the Holy Quran. The poor and helpless people are offered help and care on this day.

The mosques have special arrangements done beforehand to take care of the thousands that would arrive to offer their prayers.

This helps in easing the problems faced by the devotees on the Jamat-ul-Vida day. The priests of the mosques encourage the people gathered at the mosque to lead a pious life. They are asked to follow the words of the Prophet Muhammad and the will of God.

The Muslim people are asked to imbibe the goodness of the Holy Quran into their lives. An elaborate feast is prepared and is served to be enjoyed along with family, friends and neighbours on this day.