By Shaykh Yusuf Badat
What is Rajab?
Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
What does Rajab mean?
Rajab incorporates the meaning of ‘awe’ and ‘honour’.
What is special about Rajab?
It is one of the four sacred months.
The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings upon him) said, “The year has twelve months, four of which are sacred, three consecutive, Dhu al-Qa’adah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muaarram and Rajab which comes between Jumada and Sha’ban.” (Bukhari)
Is there a supplication to recite in Rajab?
Yes, some sound prophetic narrations suggest the following prayer,
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban. Allow us to reach Ramadan.” (Tabrani and Bayhaqi)
How does a believer uphold the sacredness of the Rajab month?
Increase in rendering optional acts of worship and good deeds. Be particular to refrain from committing sin. Avoid all conflicts and disagreements.
“Do not wrong yourselves [by committing sin] during the sacred months.” (Quran 9:36)
‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “During the sacred months, sin is more devastating while good deeds and blessings are magnified.” (Ibn Kathir)
“Allah has prohibited the wrong [with particular mention] during the sacred months, in honour of them, even though sin is prohibited at all times.” (Tafsir Qurtubi)
Are there any exclusive actions or prescribed practices for the month of Rajab?
There are no reliable prophetic reports to indicate specified acts exclusive to Rajab. Hence any optional regular good deeds are praiseworthy.
“There is no authentic reliable hadith reported related to specific virtues of the Rajab month nor regarding specific fasting in it or specific night vigil prayers in it.” (Hafidh Ibn Hajar, Lataif al-Ma’arif)
What is the connection of Rajab with Ramadan?
There is no real connection per se, however, some amongst the pious predecessors have indicated that Rajab and Sha’ban are preludes to the month of Ramadan. Hence all kinds of preparation and awareness for Ramadan should commence once Rajab sets in.
“Rajab is the key to months of goodness and blessings.” (Ibn Rajab)
“The month of Rajab is a month of cultivation, Sha’ban is the month of irrigation while Ramadan is the month of harvest. Rajab is like the wind, Sha’ban like the clouds and Ramadan like the downpour of rain.” (Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi)
Is there any link of Rajab and the Prophetic Ascension (Israa and Me’raj)?
Contrary to popular belief, most Islamic historians say there is no solid evidence to prove that the Ascension actually took place in the month of Rajab. Therefore, there is no strong connection regarding the month of Rajab and Me’raj or the 27th of Rajab.
In Fath al-Bari, Imam Hafidh Ibn Hajar (may Allah’s mercy be with him) writes, “Regarding the actual precise timing of the Prophetic Ascension there are over 10 views. From amongst them are the views that it either occurred in Ramadan, Shawwal, Rajab, Rabi’ al-Awwal or Rabi’ al-Akhir.” (Fath al-Bari)
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