Don’t Miss the Rebo Wekasan Practice: Powerful Wirid and Prayers to Ward Off Calamities

Source: source jejaknesia.com

www.jejaknesia.com - Rebo Wekasan or Last Wednesday is a tradition alive among the Muslim communities in the Nusantara region, especially Nahdliyin members. This tradition falls on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar in the Hijri calendar. Many believe that this day is associated with the arrival of calamities, prompting Muslims to increase prayers, dhikr, and righteous deeds to seek protection from Allah SWT.

Origin and Scholars’ Perspective

The Rebo Wekasan practice originates from classical scholars who emphasized the importance of prayers to repel calamities and voluntary prayers (sunnah). According to Nahdlatul Ulama, this practice is permissible as long as it contains elements of worship in accordance with Sharia, such as sunnah prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, dhikr, supplication, and charity. However, excessive belief that calamities will definitely occur on this day should be avoided to prevent drifting into superstition.

Common Practices

On Rebo Wekasan, there are several practices commonly performed by congregants and pesantren communities. Here are some practices often taught:

1. Voluntary Prayer of Two Rak’ahs

This sunnah prayer is intended to seek protection from Allah SWT. Prayer intention:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةً رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
“I intend to perform two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer for the sake of Allah Almighty.”

Recitations for each rak’ah:

• Al-Fatihah 1 time
• Al-Kautsar 17 times
• Al-Ikhlas 5 times
• Al-Falaq 1 time
• An-Naas 1 time

2. Wirid and Supplication After Prayer

After salam, it is recommended to recite a special supplication as a request for protection from calamities. This prayer has two versions: for individual and congregational practice.

Supplication for Individual Practice

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
اللَّهُمَّ يَا شَدِيدَ الْقُوَى، وَيَا شَدِيدَ الْمِحَالِ، يَا عَزِيزُ، يَا مَنْ ذَلَّتْ لِعِزَّتِكَ جَمِيعُ خَلْقِكَ، اكْفِنِي مِنْ شَرِّ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِكَ، يَا مُحْسِنُ، يَا مُجَمِّلُ، يَا مُتَفَضِّلُ، يَا مُنْعِمُ، يَا مُتَكَرِّمُ، يَا مَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، ارْحَمْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

اللَّهُمَّ بِسِرِّ الْحَسَنِ، وَأَخِيهِ، وَجَدِّهِ، وَأَبِيهِ، وَأُمِّهِ، وَبَنِيهِ، اكْفِنِي شَرَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ، وَمَا يَنْزِلُ فِيهِ، يَا كَافِيَ الْمُهِمَّاتِ، يَا دَافِعَ الْبَلِيَّاتِ، فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ، وَحَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ.

وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

Supplication for Congregational Practice

... (same text as above, only replacing “اكْفِنِي” with the plural form “اكْفِنَا”).

3. Hajat Prayer of Four Rak’ahs

In addition to the 2-rak’ah voluntary prayer, some scholars also recommend performing a 4-rak’ah hajat prayer with the intention:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ الْحَاجَةِ لِدَفْعِ الْبَلَاءِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
“I intend to perform four rak’ahs of voluntary hajat prayer to repel calamities for the sake of Allah Almighty.”

The recitations for each rak’ah are the same as the 2-rak’ah voluntary prayer above, followed by the supplication to repel calamities.

4. Reciting Surah Yasin

Some pesantrens teach reciting Surah Yasin with a focus on the verse:

سَلَامٌ قَوْلًا مِّن رَّبٍّ رَّحِيمٍ

This verse is recited 313 times before continuing to the subsequent verses until the end of the surah. It is then concluded with a supplication for safety.

5. Salamun Water

Another known tradition is writing seven verses starting with the word Salamun from various Qur’anic chapters, then dissolving them in water to be drunk as a blessing (tabarruk).

Spiritual Meaning of Rebo Wekasan

The essence of Rebo Wekasan is not belief in inevitable calamities, but raising awareness that human life is always full of risks. By increasing prayers, voluntary prayers, dhikr, and charity, Muslims are reminded to draw closer to Allah SWT while strengthening social bonds. This is the harmony between spiritual and social aspects that form the strength of Nusantara Islam.

Rebo Wekasan is not only a cultural heritage but also a moment to increase prayers and righteous deeds. By purifying intentions, avoiding superstition, and practicing acts in accordance with scholars’ guidance, this tradition can serve as a means to strengthen faith, enhance brotherhood, and foster hope for safety in this world and the hereafter. May we all be granted protection by Allah SWT.

Reference Sources

• NU Online – Explanation of Rebo Wekasan practices and prayers
• NU West Java – Procedures for wirid and prayers on the last Wednesday of Safar
• NU Jepara – Articles on the origin and practices of Rebo Wekasan
• Detik & Orami – Summary of prayers, recitations, and procedures for sunnah prayers of Rebo Wekasan