The entire world is the creation of Allah, however, some places
are considered more sacred and divine than others. For instance, prayers
offered at Mecca and Madina carry more value and significance than those
offered at an ordinary place. This is because some places are more close and
sacred because of their origins or their history.
Similarly, some months carry more value and significance than
other months. For example, Rajab is considered more sacred. This is because of
several reasons. These reasons are elaborated below.
Rajab (Arabic: رجب) is the seventh month
of the Islamic calendar and is regarded as one of the inviolable month. The
lexical definition of Rajab is "to respect", of which Rajab is a
derivative. This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in
which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare
blasphemous during the four months.
Its nobility and greatness was emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (saw)
himself. Rajab is also notable due to the birth anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Abi
Talib (as), who was born inside the Ka'ba, the most sacred place of worship for
Muslims.
Rajab and Sha'ban are a prelude to the month of Ramadan. It has
been narrated by the Imam himself that, "The month of Rajab is my
month, and Sha'ban is the month of the Messenger of Allah, and the month of
Ramadhan is the month of Allah." The Shi'a believe that there are many
virtues of the month. According to some narrations, the month belongs to Ali
(as) while the month of Shaban is the month of Prophet Muhammad (saww). Imam Musa
al-Kadhim (as), the seventh Imam of the Shia has narrated that said "Rajab
is (the name of) a River in paradise that is whiter than milk & sweeter
than honey. Allah will allow one to drink from this river if he fasts for
even one day in this month. It is also a month of seeking forgiveness more than
usual as Allah is forgiving & merciful during this month.
SIGNIFICANT DATES
Events
- The Battle of Tabouk took place in Rajab, 9 A.H. (October 630)
- The second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 A.H. (September 633)
- 6 Rajab: Many Sufi followers of the Chishti tariqa (path) celebrate the anniversary of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti
- 7 Rajab: Twelvers of Sub continent observe the Festival of Imam Musa al-Kazim in dedication of Musā' al-Kādhim. This is so that we do not miss celebrating the birth of the 7th Imam which took place in the month of Safar. In the 7th month (Rajab), on the 7th day we celebrate the birth of 7th Imam.
- 15 Rajab: Change of Qibla from Bait ul-Muqaddas to the Ka'ba
- 22 Rajab, Koonday (table cloth dinner) is organized by Shiites (not all, as it is controversial) among Muslims of South Asia. It is an occasion for Muslims to discuss Allah and the Ahlul Bayt and to strengthen ties among the community with love and compassion.
- 24th Rajab: Victory of Muslims in the Battle of Khyber
- 27 Rajab, Mi'raj, the day Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. It is a national holiday in some Muslim countries.
- 27 Rajab, Day of Mab'ath (Prophet's first revelation in the Shia tradition
- 28 Rajab, Imam Husayn ibn Ali (as) started his journey to Karbala from Medina.
Births
- 1 Rajab: Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as), 5th Imām
- 5 Rajab: Imam Ali Naqi Al Hadi (as). 10th Imām
- 9 Rajab: Hazrat Ali al-Asghar (Son of Imam Hussain as)
- 10 Rajab: Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (as), 9th Imām
- 13 Rajab: Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as)
- 20 Rajab: Hazrat Sakina bint Hussain (as)
Martyrdom/Deaths
- 3 Rajab: Imam Ali al-Naqi (as), 10th Imam & Uwais al-Qarni (ra), Companion Of Prophet Muhammad saw)
- 6 Rajab: Mu'inuddīn Chishti, The Founder Of Chishti Order Of Sufism And One Of The Greatest Sufi Saints
- 8 Rajab: Nazim Al-Haqqani, a Turkish Cypriot Sufi Muslim sheikh and spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi tariqa.
- 15 Rajab: Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (as)
- 18 Rajab: Abraham (according to Shi'a Islam)
- 22 Rajab: Muawiyah I ibn Abi Sufyan
- 25 Rajab: Imam Musa' al-Kadhim, 7th Imam
- 26 Rajab: Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib, uncle of Prophet (saw) & father of Imam Ali (as)
·
Lailatul Raghaib
The first
Thursday night of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib (Night of Wishes). Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) used to fast on the first Thursday and between Maghrib &
Isha recite 12 Rak’at prayers in six sets of 2 units.
According to
Kitabul Barkaat, individuals who fast on the first Thursday that arrives after
the moon is seen will gain a place in Paradise as a reward.
·
Ayyaam al-Baydh
Ayaam al-Baydh
(Arabic: أيام البيض; The Luminous Days) are the 13th, 14th and 15th of the month of
Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadhan. It is highly recommended to fast on these days,
perform Ghusl and perform the prescribed a'maal.
·
A'maal Umme Dawood
The highly
recommended act for the middle of Rajab (15th of the month) is known as A'maal
of Umm-e-Dawood (Mother of Dawood). This lengthy a'mal is best for the
fulfillment of desires and removal of oppressions and calamities.
Virtues of the Month of Rajab
Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of
every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid
Al Fitr. These three months are unmatched in their importance. Praise be to the
Almighty and thanks to Him for granting us yet another opportunity to cleanse
ourselves of our sins and oversights.
“Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa ballighna Ramadhan”
(Oh Allah! Grant us
blessings in the months of Rajab and Shaban and take us forth to Ramadan.)
Imam Musa Al- Kadhim (as), 7th Shiite Innocent Imams stated:
“Rajab is a great month, during which Allah multiplies the
rewards of good deeds and omits the sins.”
It has also been mentioned from Hasan Basri that the Messenger
of Allah (saww) said:
“Rajab is a great month of Allah, unmatched by any other month
in the respect and significance (accorded to it); war with the infidels during
this month is prohibited; Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban my month and
Ramadhan the month of my Ummah (followers); whosoever fasts a day in the month
of Rajab will be granted the great reward of Ridhwan (an angel in heaven); the
wrath of Allah shall be distanced and a door of the Hell shall be closed."
From the above hadith, it shows that it is preferable to make
dua, to remain in the coming and following months, in order to perform good
actions in them, because a true believer increases in his age with goodness.
The best of people is the one who lives long and performs good actions.
The pious predecessors used to prefer dying after performing
good actions, like the fast of Ramadhan or returning from Haj. And it was said
by them, “whoever dies in this way, is forgiven.”
There is no doubt that the month of Rajab is the key to the
opening of the months of goodness and blessing.
When the moon is sighted on the first night of Rajab, it is
among the most sacred nights. During this night Allah accepts the prayers and
supplications of His beings. The night is so sacred that some Ulema &
Scholars used to pray to Allah to bestow them with death on the first night of
Rajab.
Another tradition narrates: “Rajab is a month of cultivation,
Shaban is month of irrigating the fields, and the month of Ramadhan is a month
of reaping and harvesting.”
The summary is, that the month of Rajab is a sacred month and
the first, virtuous and noble of them all. So it is appropriate to celebrate it
entirely and to give attention to it by performing good acts, and refraining
oneself from sins and offensive things, because it is the month of Allah.
It has been mentioned that Allah said:
“Fasting is for me and I will recompense one for it.”
Fasting in the month of Rajab prevents one from sins, let alone
refraining one from killing and having enmity towards the enemy (which this
month was made sacred for), like it was practiced by the people in the ignorant
(jahili) period.
Acts & Rituals
of the Month of Rajab
The month of Rajab has numerous prescribed acts and supplications. Most common
is the following supplication recommended to be recited daily by Imam Jafar
al-Sadiq (as) everyday, in the Month of Rajab, after Fajr and Maghrib prayers:
Translation:O he from whom I ask for and expect fulfillment in every good
(I do); and in whom I confide to seek safety from His displeasure for every
evil I do!
O He who gives much in return of very little (good deeds)! O He
who puts into the hands of the supplicant what he asks for, O He who (also) let
needy, who does not ask for, have what he needs, though he remembers Him not,
Feels compassion, and takes pity on them!
Give me as a gift good in all my objectives in this world and in
the Hereafter, let me free myself from evil in all my activities in this world
and in the Hereafter, because, surely, what Thou gives never goes waste or grows
less, and from Thy bounties let me have more and more O the Generous
Compassionate.
Specific acts & Rituals are also prescribed for the 27th of Rajab, which
is the day when Prophet declared his Prophethood and also the night of
ascension.
These are some useful points for this month:
1. Fasting
Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this
spiritual season. It becomes Wajib during the month of Ramadan, but is highly
recommended during the months of Rajab and Sha’baan. As will be noted
from the Hadith above and others to follow, fasting, be it for only one day
during these months, is rewarded with untold bounties.
Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah (saww)
said that there is a day in the month of Rajab on which if a person
fasts and does Qiyaamul Lail (night vigil) on that night, he will receive
rewards like a person who fasts for 100 years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights
of 100 years. This night is the night of the 27th (Rajab) and the day
of the 27th (Rajab). This is the day on which Hadrat Mohammad
(pbuh&hh) was appointed to Messengerhood, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb
Shareef page 781)
It is highly recommended to fast in this month of Rajab even for
one day at least. A hadith stated by holy Prophet (saww):
“Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of the Hell will be
away from him a distance of one year’s journey, and whosoever fasts 3 days in
Rajab, will be entitled for the Paradise.”
Imam Ali (as) used to fast the whole month of Rajab. Many
of his followers do the same.
2. Seeking Forgiveness (Estighfaar)
The Prophet (saww) used to say:
Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness
from Allah; He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful. It is highly recommended
to repeat ‘Astaghfirullaah’.
3. Charity (Sadaqa)
There is a big reward for charity in the month of
Rajab. Those who cannot fast may give charity to the poor every day.
4. Repeating ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allah’ 1000 times.
5. Repeating ‘Astaghfirullaaha zul jalale wal Ikraam min
jamee’al zonoobe wal aathaam‘ 1000 times. In order to enter Ramadan in the
best possible manner, one has to prepare himself in the months of Rajab and
Shaban.
It has been said that Rajab is the month to sow the seeds of
good actions, Shaban is the month in which we should water those seeds and
Ramadan is the month in which we reap the harvest.
May
Allah grant you more blessings in this month and every month to do more for the
real future in the Hereafter.
6- Prayer
Upon Seeing New Moon.
7- 1st
night /Day of Rajab month Special prayers.
8-
Recite: Ziyaraat of Imam Hussein (a.s) on 1st & 15th rajab.
9– Night
of Wishes: The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, that these prayers are
Means of forgiveness and On the first night in our grave,, the Almighty will
send the reward off this prayer in the best,, enlightened and eloquent form..
When inquired,, will reply,, ‘‘My Beloved,, glad tidings to you that you have
found salvation from every hardship and horror..’’ When asked,, ‘‘Who are
you?’’ ‘‘By God I haven’t seen any one more beautiful than you,, I haven’t
heard a word sweeter than yours,, or a fragrance better than you?’’ In reply,,
‘‘I am,, that prayer which you offered on the eve off the first Friday of the
month of Rajab. I have come to you,, to be your companion in this loneliness,,
to remove from you your fright and horror.. Be lest assured that my shelter
will be with you until the blowing off the Horn off the Day off Judgment.’’
10– Shabi Mab'as: Night
of 7th Rajab
11- The Bright Days:
These are the 13th, 14th and 15th of the month of
Rajab. It is highly recommended to fast on these days, perform Ghusl and
perform the prescribed a'maal.
12- On
the last day of Rajab recite Salaat of Salman-e-Farsi
13-
Reciting this supplication: “Yaa Man Arjoho Le Kulle Khair”
14- Ziarat
Rajabiyah
15-
Recite this supplication: Dua asaluka sabr al shakreen
16- Ritual
of the 27th Day of Rajab
Recommended
Fasts
1st
Rajab
1st
Thursday of Rajab
13th,
14th, & 15th Rajab
27th
Rajab
Last
day of Rajab
A
complete list of recommended prayers, duas, wiladats and shahadats can be found
here http://www.duas.org/rajab.htm .
Also a month long checklist which encompasses various supplications/prayers/etc
is herehttp://www.duas.org/rajab/rajabsa.htm .
Conclusion
The
month of Rajab is a sacred month and one should avail the opportunity to reap
as many benefits as possible. Worshipping Allah almighty during the month can
help you gain tremendous rewards and these rewards can be gained by simply
reciting Quran.
Sometimes,
people also learn Quran during the month of Rajab to add more good deeds in
their deed book. It is a month during which Allah promises to listen to the
prayers of his beings, forgive the sinners and reward those who managed to
repent on their sins. During this month, Allah also does not reject any plea.
Therefore, being a Muslim, make sure you use this month to add more good deeds
to your deed book.
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