Flood-Affected Community Observes 40-Day Prayer Tradition During Ramadan
Tanah Datar Regency (ANTARA) — Residents affected by flash floods in Jorong Duo Koto, Nagari Guguak Malalo, South Batipuh district, Tanah Datar regency, West Sumatra, are observing the tradition of 40-day prayer from mid-Sha'ban through the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
"This 40-day prayer has been practised by the community for a long time, and this year we began on the 15th of Sha'ban 1447 Hijriah," said Arjalis (64), the imam of Mujahidin Mosque in Jorong Duo Koto, Nagari Guguak Malalo, Tanah Datar regency, on Friday.
Arjalis explained that the 40-day prayer, known locally as sumbayang 40 hari, has become a tradition and a form of local wisdom that continues to be practised by communities across the Minangkabau heartland, particularly in Tanah Datar and Padang Pariaman regencies.
Beyond strengthening faith and devotion during the holy month of Ramadan, the 40-day prayer practice also serves to teach and instil self-discipline, ensuring punctuality in performing daily prayers.
In essence, there is no difference between the 40-day prayer and the regular obligatory prayers — the intention, movements, and recitations are all identical to ordinary congregational prayers.
However, for a person to fulfil and receive the blessings of the 40-day prayer, they must perform the obligatory prayers in congregation at a mosque or prayer hall for 40 consecutive days.
If during the process a worshipper arrives late and misses the imam's recitation of the opening takbir in the first raka'at, the entire 40-day prayer sequence is considered to have failed, or to be unfulfilled.
The community also believes that the spiritual merit of the 40-day prayer is greater than that of ordinary congregational prayer. For this reason, residents typically flock to observe it in large numbers.
Similarly, Jasman (71), one of the congregants performing the 40-day prayer at Mujahidin Mosque, said that the tradition has been known to him since childhood, having been taught by his Quranic teacher and his parents.
"Since I was eight years old, I have been performing the 40-day prayer at this mosque," he said.
"This 40-day prayer has been practised by the community for a long time, and this year we began on the 15th of Sha'ban 1447 Hijriah," said Arjalis (64), the imam of Mujahidin Mosque in Jorong Duo Koto, Nagari Guguak Malalo, Tanah Datar regency, on Friday.
Arjalis explained that the 40-day prayer, known locally as sumbayang 40 hari, has become a tradition and a form of local wisdom that continues to be practised by communities across the Minangkabau heartland, particularly in Tanah Datar and Padang Pariaman regencies.
Beyond strengthening faith and devotion during the holy month of Ramadan, the 40-day prayer practice also serves to teach and instil self-discipline, ensuring punctuality in performing daily prayers.
In essence, there is no difference between the 40-day prayer and the regular obligatory prayers — the intention, movements, and recitations are all identical to ordinary congregational prayers.
However, for a person to fulfil and receive the blessings of the 40-day prayer, they must perform the obligatory prayers in congregation at a mosque or prayer hall for 40 consecutive days.
If during the process a worshipper arrives late and misses the imam's recitation of the opening takbir in the first raka'at, the entire 40-day prayer sequence is considered to have failed, or to be unfulfilled.
The community also believes that the spiritual merit of the 40-day prayer is greater than that of ordinary congregational prayer. For this reason, residents typically flock to observe it in large numbers.
Similarly, Jasman (71), one of the congregants performing the 40-day prayer at Mujahidin Mosque, said that the tradition has been known to him since childhood, having been taught by his Quranic teacher and his parents.
"Since I was eight years old, I have been performing the 40-day prayer at this mosque," he said.