Sania Mirza: Unforced Errors

(Women inside Mosque)

It seems controversy accompanies Sania Mirza whether she is on court or off it. She was rebuked by Muslim scholars and many others for shooting in the premises of the Mecca Masjid near Charminar, in Hyderabad on 11th December. Whether she was shooting for a commercial or was just out to spread heritage awareness of the monuments is still unclear. She tendered an apology to everyone, the very next day, after it snowballed into turmoil. However what caught my attention was one of her statements, in which she said, “I am fully aware that a woman must not enter the sanctity of the mosque”. This statement must have let those chatterbox tongues wagging again, who posses, but little knowledge about Islam and the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and The Prophet. What I wish to bring forth for Sania Mirza in general and all those who think on the same lines in particular, is that, there is no such decree proclaimed in Holy Qur’an or the teachings of Islam which prohibits women from entering the sanctity of the mosque. Though I am unaware whether shooting a commercial is allowed or not.

During the time prior to the advent of Islam, the world as a whole and the Arabian peninsula in particular, the prosecution and subdue of women was widespread. It was the advent of Islam that brought women at par with men, allowing them equality in terms of status, respect, education and share in ancestral property. They were given right to have a say in public meetings and while taking financial or social decisions for the family or individual. As far as entering a mosque is concerned, women were not only allowed but the Prophet gave them permission to pray Namaz in congregation with the men folk (although in a separate enclosure). The Namaz was performed with men behind the Imaam, followed by children and women either at the end or an adjoining area, segregated from the main congregation with curtain or wooden partition. The same however is not true in case of the major mosques of Masjid Al-Haram (The Holy Kaba in Mecca) or Masjid-e-Nabvi in Madina, Saudi Arabia, where men and women pray alongside without any bias or distinction on the basis of gender, at the time of Hajj. Infact Masjid-e-Aaesha in Madina is especially dedicated to women for offering Namaz, where even the Imam is a female leading the women congregation. During the Hajj pilgrimage millions of men and women from every part of the world pray Namaz and perform Tawaaf (circumnavigation of the Kaba) , Sai and many other rituals side by side. Many of my relatives who reside in cities of US, Canada, UK and other parts of the world, proclaim that there is no distinction as such for not allowing women in the mosque and instead they have special arrangements for allowing women to pray in congregation behind a common Imaam. Why then is the case that there are restrictions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries around Indian peninsula?

The women used to pray regularly in mosque during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Some people attribute the later Caliphate or rulers of Arabian kingdom, especially Hazrat Umar, for passing a law disallowing women an entry in the mosque. The same however is partially true. It was during the era when the newly built Arab kingdom was increasing its influence and was also facing threat from the neighboring tribes and Roman invaders, who resisted their growing power resulting in constant conflicts on the borders of the kingdom. It was for the safety of women and children that they were asked to pray within the confines of their houses, while the men would pray in mosques. This would not only ensure safety of women but also have them to guard the children, ailing elders, houses and properties.

There is also a misconception which says that it is the Hanafi school of thought which disallows Muslim women to pray in mosques. I belong to the Hanafi sect, which is followed by more than 90% Sunni Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, but have never come across such a thought or edict in the Hanafi School. Rather it was the influence of the social and environmental factors surrounding the early Muslim settlers or the newly converts which mutated the thinking and adaptation of the Muslims in India. The effect was also due the culture of myriad religions and sects prevalent during the medieval India which influenced the social norms from what was being practiced in the Middle Eastern civilization during that era. The prohibition of women to pray in mosques most likely arose from this, when purda system and a patriarchal society was the norm in India and women did not enjoy as much freedom as men. In fact such was the state of women not only in India but other civilizations across the world at a time which has been described by historians as ‘The Dark Ages’. Islam in those times came as a soothing influence on the evils of the social system in largely semi-barbaric tribes of Arabian Peninsula, providing equality for women, emphasis on education and dignity in culture and social factors which drew the masses towards accepting the invitation of Islam from Prophet Muhammad (SAW) resulting in a rapid advent of Islam in far and near civilizations.

The social or rather unsocial persecution of women regarding their freedom and rights to equality continued for a long time in many parts of the world, with women activists having to come on streets of England in 1920’s to get voting rights, the US still awaiting its first woman president and gender bias still conspicuous in Eastern European countries. Though the Western World and other developing nations have evolved out of this, we in south Asia still adhere to some of our ancestral social practices. Who would deny that just 50 years back untouchability and casteism was widespread in India and still is in some of the remotest places of the country. Denial of women to pray inside mosques hence is, but a social stigma. Although it is not compulsory for women to pray in mosques, unlike men who have to compulsorily pray in congregation in mosques if it is within considerable walking distance from their abode. For men praying in a mosque is more than 27 times rewarding than praying in house. For women however, they get that benefit even if they pray at home. Even in India famous mosques and shrines like the Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer, Hazratbal in Srinagar, Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, to name a few have special arrangements for women to pray in the mosques behind a single Imam. The same is also true in scores of mosques and Idgah’s for the special Namaz’s like Juma (Friday prayer), and on the occasion of two Eid’s when temporary arrangements are made to facilitate women praying Namaz.

Qur’an however advocates both men and women to be decently dressed and maintain the sanctity of the mosque which is regarded as the house of Allah. It even discourages people to engage in personal talks while in mosques. How justified is a jeans and tight T-shirt clad Sania Mirza entering the premises of Mecca Masjid for shooting a commercial is best left for imagination.

Eid-ul-Azha: The Spirit of Sacrifice

Eid-ul-Azha or more popularly Bakri-Eid is celebrated all over the world on the 10th day of the 12th month of Zul-Hijj of the Islamic calendar. While Eid-ul-Azha is associated with sacrifing of animals, it is also closely related to the annual pilgrimage of Hajj by followers of Islam to the holy cities of Mecca & Madina in Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Azha also marks an end to the rituals of Hajj and the acceptance of the pilgrimage before Allah. The festival of Eid-ul-Azha is also called as the festival of sacrifice, as millions of cattle’s are sacrificed by Muslims in reminiscence of the act by Prophet Ibrahim.

Prophet Ibrahim was a true believer and follower of Islam, who guided his people to believe in oneness of the Almighty. However he was rebuffed and rebuked by them and was persecuted to be put in fire. However Prophet Ibrahim came out unharmed from the inferno and always obeyed every command which Allah asked him to partake. Prophet Ibrahim always longed for a son but did not wish to distress his wife Sarah. However at her insistence he married another woman named Hajar who gave birth to a son in his grand age. The boy was Prophet Ismail, who was the apple of the eye for his father. However, a few months after his birth, as per Allah’s command, Prophet Ibrahim took Hajar and infant Ismail to the middle of Arabian Desert and left them there with a small quantity of food and water. Hajar did not revolt the act when she came to know that Prophet Ibrahim was only obeying Allah’s command. Left alone, the mother and son had nowhere to go under the scorching sun and when the supplies ran out Hajar became perturbed at the plight of infant Ismail. She would run from the top of hillocks ‘Safa’ and ‘Marwah’ (in the vicinity of present day Kabah in Mecca) to look for water or any caravan passing by to get water for her son. She did this for seven times running from Safa to Marwah and back. This act of hers was praised by Allah and even today Muslims undertaking Hajj have to perform this act of running between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwah to complete one of the rituals known as Sa’ee during Hajj pilgrimage. As she was running across the hillocks Hajar saw that little Ismail was knocking the heels of his tiny legs on the sands of the desert and suddenly a spring of water erupted out of the parched earth and started flowing. Hajar ran to collect the erupting sweet water by making small mounds around the source, but the water started flowing with even greater force. Unable to control it she started shouting “Zam, Zam”, which means “Stop, Stop” in Arabic. And to this day the sweet water is known as ZamZam, which continues to erupt out of the sands of the hot Arabian Desert soil. Every year more than 20 lakh Hajis get the opportunity to drink and use as much ZamZam during the pilgrimage and even carry large quantities of the holy water back, for their friends and relatives in their native place. It is but an astonishing miracle of Allah that one of the sweetest water (People who have tasted vouch for it) has been erupting since time immemorial in the middle of the desert and caters to the millions of people visiting the holy cities and many more millions back home, never ever the spring getting exhausted. Perhaps it was Allah’s will to create a reason for presenting the people of the desert an eternal source of sweet water, and a foundation for the holiest city of Mecca to be laid, by asking Prophet Ibrahim to leave Hajar and Ismail in desert. Because it was after this event that people started settling around Safa and Marwah and the holiest city of Mecca came into existence.

When Ismail grew up to a young boy, he was very handsome, obedient and beloved to his father. It was during this time when Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim one more time, asking him to sacrifice his most precious possession, which was his son Prophet Ismail. The subservient father was devastated but willingly proceeded to carry out the command of his Lord. He asked Ismail to get ready, as they were going to a very special place. Young prophet Ismail (barely 8 year old) was dressed in his very best and accompanied Prophet Ibrahim for the journey to Mount Arafat in Mina. On the way Shaitan tried to delude Ismail by telling him about the true motive of his father, but Prophet Ismail was unperturbed and tried to shoo him away by picking small pebbles on the way and threw at him three times. The act was praised by Allah and to this day Haaji’s have to perform this ritual of stoning of Devil at three sites during the Hajj pilgrimage, enacting young Prophet Ismail. When they reached the place Prophet Ibrahim told the decree of Allah to his son. But instead of fearing, Prophet Ismail respected his father’s decision and asked him to go ahead with the sacrifice assuring Prophet Ibrahim that he will find his son among the most patient during this act. He asked his father to tie a black cloth covering the eyes of both, so that neither of them gets nervous. Prophet Ibrahim did so and lay down his son. As he tried to run the sharp knife over Ismail’s throat, the knife just won’t cut. He tried it many times but to no avail. Annoyed he threw the knife on a nearby stone which was cut into two in a stroke. Prophet Ibrahim picked the knife again and this time the knife did run through the throat and warm blood oozed out on his hands, accompanied with a cry of a sheep. An agonized Prophet Ibrahim immediately removed his blindfold only to find that a healthy sheep had been sacrifice and his son Prophet Ismail stood beside him. He had passed the test and it was Allah, who had through angel Jibraeel, replaced Ismail with a male sheep from the heavens. This is the motive behind Muslims undertaking animal sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha. This is also a ritual performed as the last acts for the Haaji to successfully complete his pilgrimage.

Muslims all over the world celebrate the festival by getting up early on the day and dressed up in their best clothes they perform the special Namaz of Eid-ul-Azha. After which greetings are exchanged and ‘Qurbani’ takes place. Every earning adult Muslim having enough disposable wealth has to undertake Qurbani on Eid-ul-Azha. If they cannot sacrifice individual animal, they can contribute the money towards mosque or other Islamic organizations or schools, who undertake the task for mass sacrifice. Muslims divide their produce of the sacrificed animal in three parts; one for their own consumption, second part for distributing among neighbors and relatives and the third for the poor. No part of the sacrificed animal is allowed to be sold or exchanged. The skin of the animals is donated to mosques, madarsa’s and schools run for the poor, so that they can sell it to tanneries and use the money for their chores. The tons of meat that is collected in Saudi Arabia and nearby Arab countries, after Eid-ul-Azha is frozen, packed and sent out for distribution to the poor African nations for free; to provide the starved populations a source of nutritious protein rich food. The other parts such as skin, horns and hooves are sold to countries that require it for their industries and the money is again given out as grant to these underdeveloped countries. Eid-ul-Azha is not just a day of mass murder of cattle’s by human beings, but it marks as a day of sacrifice and sharing by Muslims, who buy the best affordable animals appropriate to their earning potential and think of their poor brothers to provide better food for those who cannot afford it.

Eid-ul-Azha exemplifies the charitable instincts of Muslims in their efforts to see that no one is left deprived of the sacrificial blessings. It further embodies the values of discipline and self-denial, and submitting to the will of Allah. It prepares one for the tests and trials of life and hereafter by providing willpower for sacrificing and submission by overcoming their individualistic self for the benefit of the unprivileged. These values imparted by this festival are central to the Islamic doctrines. Eid-ul-Azha is a time of remembrance of the trials of Prophet Ibrahim, a time to celebrate the completion of the Hajj, and a time that men, women, and children of all ages greatly anticipate. Eid Mubarak!

Why Vegetarians grouse Sacrificing of Animals on Eid-ul-Azha?

Note: No offences against vegetarianism or vegetarians, who do NOT Interfere.

I wanted to write my next article on Eid-ul-Azha, but I have been forced to write a prelude. With just about a month to go for Eid-ul-Azha, or more popularly Bakri Eid, falling on 21st December, the vegetarian brigade is back to its sulking best again. I’ve come across more than a score of articles and blogs pouring their heart out for the ‘poor’ animals. Some have even gone to the extent of criticizing Allah, that he discriminates human life and animal life and a lot more acrimonious conjectures against the practice. I do not know and do not want to comment about other religions, but I can say about this practice in Islam is not for nothing. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated across the world on the 10th day of Zul-Hijj (Details http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2007/12/eid-ul-azha-spirit-of-sacrifice.html), and also marks the culmination of Hajj in the holy city of Mecca. Allah clearly states in the Holy Qura’an, that he does not desire the blood or life of the sacrificial animal, but he seeks the willingness of the person to sacrifice. Unlike others, in Islam the animal after slaughtering is not thrown before the almighty or strewn around Kabaa (as was the practice before the advent of Islam). The meat is used for human consumption and the skin is sent for its usage as leather merchandise. Now how many of my vegetarian friends will deny that they never have or do use leather shoes, bags, belts or many other such articles.

Science has proved that meat is the best and cheapest source of protein for humans and is also the single largest supplier to our recommended nutrient intake for protein, even much more than pulses, beans and green leafy vegetables. What did the pre-historic man eat? What is the source of livelihood for all the shepherds and cattlemen across the globe? Perhaps there was a vegetarian brigade amongst their fore-forefathers and ancestors preventing other cavemen who would go out hunting animals for food. And why did this ‘tribe’ kept quite when millions of chicken were mercilessly hacked to death, when bird-flu spread in Asia (perhaps it was a case-in-point for the Euthanasia supporters). What about the response from the vegetarians (or eggitarians) when they say, “We eat only eggs”. Is it not akin to feticide, rampant in North India for their preference for a male child? killing the poor ‘chick’ before it can see daylight out of its egg-shell. Why do they keep quit when DDT or insecticides are sprayed to kill mosquitoes and insects affecting our crops? Perhaps Allah does not discriminate between the lives of insects or fowls and goats. They will happily boil water during rainy season to ‘kill’ the germs thriving in contaminated water, or rather gulp down glasses and eat loads of curd, yoghurt, cheese and yeast spelling doom for the billion of microbial life residing in it.

They will not think twice before chopping down a tree or cutting its branches or plucking the fruits & vegetables for consumption. Maybe the trees do not have life, they might perceive. What happens to the life of the plants when an entire crop is cut down at harvest? Our very own scientist Dr. Jagdish Chandra Basu has proved that trees and plants too have life and have feelings and emotions, which affects their growth as well. Or if plucking fruits and cutting branches is not harmful to the trees, then we can have an option of plucking the chicken legs, or the lamb thighs without killing them. Why doesn’t the vegetarian brigade run after the carnivorous animals and birds, when they catch their prey for food? Or sue the researchers when thousands or mice, frogs or guinea pigs are killed on the experiment tables in laboratories for the ‘good’ of human beings.

Let’s face the fact, the human being is at the top of the Food Pyramid, and if the killing or the ‘cursed’ word sacrifice is done for the purpose of food, then it’s not unethical, as they make others to believe. Millions of cattle are slaughtered on the day of Eid-ul-Azha across the world, but never have we heard that it has led to extinction of goats, cattle’s or camels. The simple reason is that their reproductive cycle has been devised such, that they provide for source of food for animals up the food chain.

Muslims divide their produce of the sacrificed animal on the day of Eid-ul-Azha, in three parts; one for their own consumption, second part for distributing among neighbors and relatives and the third for the poor. The skin of the animals is donated to mosques and schools run for the poor, so that they can sell it to tanneries and use the money for their chores. No part of the sacrificed animal is allowed to be sold or exchanged. Even the tons of meat that is collected in Saudi Arabia and nearby Arab countries, after commencement of Hajj is frozen, packed and sent out for distribution to the poor African nations for free; to provide the starved populations a source of nutritious protein rich food. The other parts such as skin, horns and hooves are sold to countries that require it for their industries and the money is again given out as grant to these underdeveloped countries. Eid-ul-Azha is not just a day of mass murder of cattle’s by human beings, but it marks as a day of sacrifice and sharing by Muslims, who buy the best affordable animals appropriate to their earning potential and think of their poor brothers to provide better food for those who cannot afford it.

Welcome........Ramazan-al-Mubarak

It is that time of the year (The Lunar Calendar) when more than a quarter of the world will await with joy and eagerness for the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. However a section of a breed of humanity called as Indian politicians will be eager to befool the Muslims and the general public to showcase their pseudo-secularism. It that time of the year when every other day you will find front page pictures and news about a Sonia Gandhi or a Ramvilas Paswan or a Lalu Prasad, and for the past few years (ironically) the BJP central working committee, holding the Iftaar party, calling some fake Mulla’s and eating ravenously, with none having kept the fast, and rather having eaten sumptuously for the whole day. Ramazan and fasting in their eyes is limited to only the delicacies at the time of Iftaar laid down upon the table.

The holy Ramazan is the 9th month of Islamic Hijri Calendar and is the most pious and blessed month. The Qura’an describes it as better than a thousand months in blessings and virtues. Ramazan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Just like scorching heat melts the elements and purifies the substance, the month of Ramazan too purifies ones soul and body by making him free from all sins and evils, as that of a child. It was this month when the Holy Qura’an was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the angel Jibrae’el. The month begins with the sighting of the New Moon, signifying the beginning of the period of Roza and Taraweeh. Taraweeh is the special prayers performed during the night and involves recitation of the Holy Qura’an, during the course of Ramazan. Roza or fasting is synonymous with Ramazan. Muslims do not take any food or even water from dawn to dusk for the whole month. The early dawn intake of food is called Sehar and breaking of fast after sunset is called Iftaar. The benefits of fasting are immense, not only spiritual but also practical:
1. The main motive of fasting was to help the privileged realize the sufferings faced by the poor. It helps one to feel compassion for the less fortunate ones by making them undergo their feelings of hunger and thirst. Thus it offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and community.

2. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural urges such as hunger, thirst and the worldly desires and thus are able to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such as excessive food intake, drugs or other unhealthy or harmful substances and also their behaviors. It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and peer-pressure.

3. Ramazan is a month of self-regulation and self-training in Islamic Calender. Most Muslims fast because it has been ordained to them in the Quran. However the Medical benefits of fasting are immense:

- Helps in weight management, as it triggers the liver to break fats by the process of Autolysis.
- Helps in maintaining the health of digestive tract and for lowering lipids.
- Does not have the adverse effects of starvation or crash dieting undertaken by people over conscious about their figure and body.
- The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol and the systolic blood pressure.
- Abstinence from water causes concentration of fluids in the body and a short term slight dehydration that improves elasticity of tissue walls.
- Short term dehydration also increases the fiber content in the digestive tract that helps in better absorption of nutrients from the food.
- Lowering of Metabolism rate results in psychological improvement that could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes.
- The lowered rate of activity of colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands and digestive tract results in detoxification of these body parts.
- Fasting increases the healing process and increases longevity, as the energy is diverted away from the digestive system towards immune system.

Detailed report:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/wcarroll.html

The activities of Ramazan are not limited to these alone. The giving away of alms and the regular charity reaps rich dividends in the world and hereafter. Muslims generally give out their Zakat, which is one of the five pillars of Islam in the month of Ramazan. Zakat is 2.5% of the savings from what you earn. That means if you save Rs.1000, you have to pay Zakat of Rs. 25. The amount is kept very small, basically so as not to tax the Muslims of their hard earned money at the same time ensuring that they do not neglect their poor brothern. Zakat is compulsory on every Muslim, who earns and has a property equivalent to 7.5 tola of Gold or 52.5 tola of Silver (1 tola = 10 grams). Zakat is given to poor Muslims, who according to the definition do not posses property as defined above, and become eligible to receive Zakat. It is required that one should distribute Zakat on the basis of priority. The first among the receivers should be your poor relatives, followed by your poor neighbors’ and then the remaining amount can be given to local seminaries like Madarsaa’s and schools run by/for Muslims.

The other charity is the Fitra’a, from which the name Eid-ul-Fitr is derived. This is given out on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, and constitutes of giving away wheat equal to 2kg and 25 grams or its equivalent price in money. This charity is to be given out from each and every member present in the family, and any poor visiting your house on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr should be benefited from Fitra’a.

The hardships of Ramazan are rewarded by the day of celebration and sharing of love and spreading sweetness. The New Moon of Eid is sighted either on 29th or 30th day of Ramazan. It is believed that most people mourn the sighting of the New Moon as it meant the end of Ramazan and along with it the generous shower of blessings upon them and unlocking of Shaitaan, who is locked by Allah during the month of Ramazan, to keep him away from misguiding the worshipers. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims across the globe by offering special Namaz in the morning. This is followed by wishing each other by Muaa’nka (embracing/hugging) and Musaa’fa (handshaking). Elders give out goodies and gifts to children in form of Eidee. The festival is also very popular among others because of the Sevaiyaan, the delicacy prepared on the day.

However the true essence of Ramazan is not limited to following these rituals, but also making sure you keep your virtue and character clean and noble by not speaking lies, doing backbiting or indulging in sins forbidden not only in Islam but also by the society. It also means that we limit ourselves to submission to Allah and being good not only during the month of Ramazan but the entire year and our life.

Greetings from me for the Holy month of Ramazan-al-Mubarak.

Importance of Friday

Today is Friday the 13th; a day believed to be of the devil in the West. Friday was considered an evil and uneventful day for a long time in western world beliefs. However, the emergence of IT industries around the globe has changed that a lot. Now Friday comes a precursor for the weekend for us Software professonals. The concept of TGIF or "Thank God its Friday", and the TGIF parties are fast catching up even in India. It signals an end to the gruelling week of work and 2 days of imminent break. But there is a section in the world for whom, the significance of Friday transcends the corporal desires and myths and presents a way to submit before the almighty Allah. Its a day when everything comes to a halt, in Islamic world, and a devot Muslim, prepares himself to join in congregation to pray and ask forgiveness and seek blessings. The Friday prayer or the Namaaz-e-Jumaa, is considered the most pious prayers before Allah, along with the prayers of Eid, Ramzaan and the few described nights (Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Miraj & Shab-e-Qadr).

My parents who performed the Hajj last year, described the scene in the holy city of Mecca when the Muazzin calls the Azaan for the Namaz-e-Jumaa. The whole city comes to a stop; people in a swarm head towards the mosques, shopkeepers leave their shops open and go for the prayers, be it a vegetable outlet, a shopping complex or a jewellry shop; its left unattended and as it is, as the priority becomes prayers than business. Travellars leave there vehicles on the road, and those who get late; lay down the sheets on the roads and complete their prayers. Even those who do not pray for the whole week, make it a point not to miss the Friday prayer.

One might ask why is such a 'fanatism' among Muslims for Namaz-e-Jumaa ? This day as described by the Holy Quraa'n, in Islam carries many virtues and blessings. This was the day that Adam (pbuh) was created, the day he was placed into Paradise, the day he was sent down to the earth, and Friday was the day that he died. Friday is also a day when our supplications to Allah are answered as long as it isn’t something forbidden. This is also the day where the onset of the last hour will begin. Allah has made this day the master of all other days to the extent that it is greater to Allah than the days of Al-Fitr and Al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has mentioned all these characteristics in his hadiths. Namaaz-e-Jumaa is the best prayer. It’s significance is so great that there is a whole chapter in the Quran that is named Al-Jumuah. Allah makes mention of the importance of Friday in the Quran where He says in the translation of the meaning:
“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” (Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)

This is a day where Allah the All-Merciful forgives our minor sins not just for that day but for a week and an extra three days. Another great virtue of this day is the that if a Muslim dies on the day or night of Friday, Allah will protect them from the trials of the grave. The attendance to the Friday Prayer is also written down by angels who stand at every gate of the mosque to write down the names of people in chronological order of their attendance. Prophet Muhammed (SAW) describes the Friday prayers as a reward for Muslims from Allah. A person who takes a bath on Friday and wears clean clothes, applies perfume and heads towards the mosque on hearing the Azaan (call for prayer), is like he has offered sacrifices in the way of Allah. Every step taken towards preparing for the Namaaz-e-Jumaa is a blessing in itself.

Allah has perfected the way of life for Muslims and although many indulge in sins and personal pleasures during this day, Muslims know the true meaning and importance of Friday. We may all say thank goodness it’s Friday; however, the meaning behind the famous acronym “TGIF” is more valuable and signficant in the hearts of Muslims than others. Allah has not only given them the information but has given them the motivation to spend this beautiful day wisely so that they may compete with one another to attain good deeds for His sake. Happy Friday!!!