Translation: Observing “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘” — The Last Friday of Ramadan Compiled by: Tauheed.com
❖ Naming the Last Friday of Ramadan “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘” and Considering It Special
In the Indian Subcontinent and various other regions, the last Friday of Ramadan is referred to as "Jumu‘at al-Wida‘" (Farewell Friday). On this day, some people make special arrangements, gather in large mosques, sometimes treat it like an Eid, and consider certain prayers or acts of worship obligatory. According to some narrations, this Friday is believed to be a means of expiation for missed prayers.
This article examines the issue in light of the Qur’an, Hadith, and opinions of scholars.
❖ The Term “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘” and Its Origins
◈ Not Established in Shari‘ah Terminology
There is no established definition or terminology for “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘” in Arabic lexicon or the primary Islamic sources — the Qur’an, Hadith, or Athar (narrations of the Companions).
It is a self-invented term, propagated through cultural and social traditions.
◈ Claims of Special Virtue
The extent of virtue or special acts linked to this Friday, as reported in various narrations, have no sound foundation in authentic Prophetic Hadiths. The Hadith scholars have made it clear that all such narrations are either extremely weak (da‘eef jiddan) or fabricated (mawdu‘).
❖ Did the Prophet ﷺ Give a Special Name to the Last Friday?
Upon examining the books of Hadith like Bukhari, Muslim, and the Sunan collections, along with their commentaries and the works of both early and later Hadith scholars and jurists, the following becomes evident:
① There is no authentic narration where the Prophet ﷺ named the last Friday of Ramadan as “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘”.
② There is no explicit mention of performing any special worship on this day.
③ Among the Companions, there is no evidence of treating this day as a festival or organizing separate gatherings for it.
❖ Ruling on Referring to or Celebrating Jumu‘at al-Wida‘
◈ Prevalent Practice
In regions such as the Subcontinent, the last Friday of Ramadan is treated with unusual reverence and shaped into a sort of festival. Elaborate gatherings, sermons, and social meetings are organized. Some people even believe this to be the so-called “Orphan Friday” or claim that worship on this day is doubly rewarded.
◈ Islamic Ruling
Since neither the Prophet ﷺ, nor the Companions, nor the Tābi‘īn, nor the early Imams celebrated it as a “farewell Friday,” dedicating this day for special worship or celebration falls under innovation (bid‘ah).
This is because any newly introduced practice in religion, which is believed to draw reward or closeness to Allah, qualifies as a religious innovation.
❖ Scholarly Definition of Bid‘ah (Innovation)
The scholars define bid‘ah as:
"Any new addition (method or action) in religion which is considered a part of the Shari‘ah and is performed with the intention of reward, despite lacking any basis in the Shari‘ah."
Therefore, just as the other Fridays of Ramadan are regular Fridays, the last Friday should also be treated the same — without assigning any extra status or ritual to it.
❖ Weak and Fabricated Narrations and Their Consequences
Certain weak narrations mention:
✔ Specific rak‘ahs to be offered on the last Friday of Ramadan as compensation for missed prayers.
✔ Performing a particular set of nafl prayers on this day to obtain forgiveness of all sins.
Hadith scholars state that these narrations are based on fabricated or severely weak sources and have no connection to the Shari‘ah.
✿ Example: “Qada-e-Umri” or “Salat al-Fa’ida” (a special prayer known in some regions)
Imam Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله explicitly declared this practice baseless, as there is no authentic Hadith to support it. Hence, performing it with the intention of reward is a bid‘ah.
✿ Forgiveness of All Missed Prayers Through One Prayer
This notion is also based on fabricated stories. The correct Islamic principle is that missed obligatory prayers must be made up individually. It contradicts the spirit of Qur’an and Hadith to think that a single prayer could wipe out years of missed ones.
❖ Misunderstanding of the Hadith: “Whoever Initiates a Good Practice in Islam…”
Some people quote the Hadith narrated by Jarir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه:
"Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam and others follow it, then he will get its reward and the reward of those who follow him…" (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This does not justify inventing a new religious innovation. The context of the Hadith clarifies that when the Sahabah arrived, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged charity, and an Ansari Companion gave the first charity. This inspired others to do the same — thus reviving an already established Sunnah.
Hence, the Hadith refers to reviving or promoting existing Shari‘ah practices, not creating new ones. Any new act that lacks evidence from Qur’an and Sunnah falls under bid‘ah.
❖ Summary of Evidences
✔ Completion of the Religion
Allah ﷻ says in Surah Al-Ma’idah:
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
This means the religion has been perfected; there is no scope for adding new religious rulings, festivals, or events.
✔ Condemnation of Innovations
The Prophet ﷺ would often say in his sermons:
“Every newly invented matter is a bid‘ah, every bid‘ah is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Hellfire.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, etc.)
✔ Newly Invented Practices Are Rejected
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that is not from it — it will be rejected.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
Thus, treating the last Friday of Ramadan as a religious festival, giving it a special name, associating special acts of worship, or assigning it extraordinary merit, is not permissible in Islamic law.
❖ Summary of the Article
The day known as “Jumu‘at al-Wida‘” has no religious or Shari‘ah-based status. It is merely a regional and cultural term.
Every Friday in Islam holds its own virtue and significance — it is a day for congregational prayer and sermons. However, there is no specific Hadith or ruling that attributes any extra merit to the final Friday of Ramadan.
If a Muslim society treats this day as a festival, Eid, or assigns special rituals to it, it falls under religious innovation (bid‘ah).
Indeed, the end of Ramadan naturally increases the general atmosphere of worship and piety, but associating a specific reward or practice with the last Friday is not found in the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
We must adhere to the prescribed acts of worship as taught by Islam, treat all Fridays with equal reverence, and avoid innovations that have no basis in the Shari‘ah.
✦ May Allah protect us from all apparent and hidden trials, and grant us the ability to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah sincerely. Āmīn.
