Jumu‘atul-Wida

Jumu‘atul-Wida leave their homes and offices to go to the mosque, they also help the poor and needy on the way. In addition, the Friday prayer becomes a great means of training in collective behaviour. Everyone stands in straight rows. They follow one imam in the actions of prayer. They sit silently and listen to the sermon. These actions are worship in one sense, and in another sense, they are training for building collective values. They help create unity and harmony within the community. Through this, individual life expands into collective life. All the features that are special about Friday become even more special on Jumu‘atul-Wida. Jumu‘atul-Wida multiplies all of these qualities many times over. The importance of Jumu‘atul-Wida lies in the fact that it comes during the days of fasting. Fasting increases a person’s sensitivity and creates seriousness and responsibility in him. It weakens the material side of a person’s nature and strengthens the spiritual side. As a result of fasting, qualities like greed, selfishness, arrogance, and pride decrease. In their place, kindness, humility, and human sympathy grow stronger. When many people carry these heightened feelings in their hearts and gather in the mosque on Jumu‘atul-Wida, they turn personal qualities into collective values. They transform personal acts into collective efforts. All India Radio, New Delhi, 23 February 1995.