Here we have a quick and brief overview of the most sacred days within the three Abrahamic religions Christianity, Islam and Judaism how the believers of those faiths observe those days.
Christianity (Good Friday and Easter Sunday)
Christianity has two sacred days in which none is more sacred than the other, those days are Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Both are celebrated with sincerity and devotion by Christian communities around the world.
Good Friday is the Friday that comes just before Easter Sunday. On Good Friday Christians come together to commemorate the incident when Jesus was crucified and when he died. The day is within what is known as the Holy Week which is a part of the Paschal Triduum.
Good Friday is known by many titles a few being Great Friday, Holy Friday, Black Friday and Great and Holy Friday. So, if you ever hear a Christian mention one of these names you will now know what they are talking about.
This significant day is a day of sorrow and so it is observed with vigil, prayer and worship services often provided by the Church. Along with those alms are given to the poor in commemoration of the event and many Christians mostly Catholics fast as a form of observance.
Easter Sunday shortly follows afterwards; Easter Sunday is a globally known and recognised day. If you start seeing Easter eggs popping up in stores you then know that means Easter Sunday is around the corner.
But aside from the Easter bunny and eggs, Easter is very sacred day in the Christian religion. It is a celebration for the rising of Jesus from the dead, occurring three days after he was sadly crucified. Easter however is a happy and joyous occasion that is often celebrated on a Sunday after the full moon still within the Holy Week.
Easter Sunday consists of attending traditional Easter Worship services at Churches where they reflect on the resurrection. Afterwards families and friends get together to all participate in traditional customs that associated with Easter such as decorating, going on egg hunts etc. Then many finishes off the day with a nice big dinner with family and friends creating heart-warming memories.
Islam (Laylat al-Qadr)
The Islamic religion has many scared days however Laylat al-Qadr also known as the Night of Power is the most sacred. It occurs within the Holy month of Ramadan which is the most important Islamic month.
Laylat al-Qadr is the night when the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received revelation from God through the arc angel Jibril (Gabriel) in the cave of Hira.
Nobody knows what specific day Laylat al-Qadr occurs however it is known to occur within one of the last 10 days of Ramadan, making it easier for Muslims to observe it.
This auspicious night is observed by dedicated recitation of the Holy Qur’an (Holy Book) as this night celebrates its revelation. They also engage in dedicated worship such as obligatory prayers and separately offered ones, Duas (Prayers). They also fast during the daylight hours due to Ramadan and refrain from sinful actions which are all a form of worship which are duplicated on events like this.
Judaism (Yom Kippur)
All Jews celebrate a day known as Yom Kippur which is the holiest and most sacred day in the Jewish faith. It is celebrated once every year in Tishrei on the tenth day in the Jewish calendar.
Yom Kippur is also acknowledged as the Day of Atonement where Jews reflect on the past and repent to God so that their sins may be forgiven.
Yom Kippur occurred due to the incident when the Israelites engaged in worship of a golden calf idol while Moses was at the top of the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. When Moses returned, he was infuriated and broke the tablets, from this the Israelites understood their wrong doings and repented to God who had then forgiven then and gave Moses new tablets.
They observe this solemn day by engaging for 25 hours in a fast and wear all white clothes while spending the whole day in constant prayer and worship.
Now that you are aware of these sacred days you can support the ones around you who celebrate it.
