We are going to talk about the month of Rajab, how Importance it is, its religious Benefits, and the special and spiritual aspects of the month, and we will talk about the best deeds that Muslims can do During this month as well.
Table of Contents
What is The Month of Rajab?
The Month of Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is ascertained by the motility of the moon and its rising, not by the motility of the sun. The grace of the month of Rajab is like the grace of the rest of the other sacred months. The word Rajab’s lexical definition indicates its significance, honor, and majesty.
The month of Rajab is frequently named by several names such as Rajab al–‘Asam, It means (the silent month). It was so named because during this time, Arabs would lay down their swords in remembrance of the month’s inviolability and there would be no sound of battles or acts of violence.
This year, the sacred month of Rajab will most likely begin on Monday 13rd January 2024.
Fasting Days in the Month Of Rajab:
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding fasting in the month of Rajab. Some scholars consider it recommended for two reasons:
- The general encouragement for fasting, which is supported by numerous evidences.
- The specific encouragement for fasting in the sacred months, among which Rajab is included by consensus. Additionally, there are narrations highlighting the virtues of fasting in Rajab specifically.
The majority of scholars agree on the recommendation of fasting in the sacred months, including Rajab. They base their opinion on various Hadiths, such as the narration of Abu Mojayba Al-Bahili and the narration of Osama bin Zaid, which emphasize the significance of Rajab.
However, some scholars, particularly among the Hanbali school of thought, disliked fasting specifically in Rajab. They cite the narration of Ibn Abbas and the prohibition of Umar against fasting in Rajab. Nonetheless, this opinion is not universally agreed upon.
Regarding the fasting days in Rajab, there isn’t a specific mention of particular days to fast exclusively in Rajab. It seems the recommendation is for fasting throughout the month, as there are no specific days highlighted in the provided text. Therefore, one can fast any day or multiple days throughout the month of Rajab as a means of worship and drawing closer to Allah.
There is no sound hadith that indicates in a direct way to any special fasting virtues during the month of Rajab. But a report from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended fasting during the sacred months, and as a result, it recommended fasting during the month of Rajab as it is one of the sacred months. Here is the Hadith:
“He was then asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me, (and he further) said: Three days’ fasting every month and of the whole of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fast”
We have to do our best to approach the path of truth and to get closer to Allah during the month of Rajab.
Fasting the entire month of Rajab:
There is a discussion regarding whether it is permissible to fast the entire month of Rajab. Some argue that fasting the entire month, except for Ramadan, is not established from the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It’s reported that he would fast most of the days in the month of Sha’ban but not all of it.
This is supported by a narration from Usama ibn Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) where he asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about fasting, to which the Prophet replied that Sha’ban is a month neglected by people between Rajab and Ramadan, and he preferred his deeds to be presented to Allah while fasting.
Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in Rajab:
Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Rajab is recommended. This recommendation is based on two reasons: Firstly, Rajab is one of the sacred months, and fasting in sacred months is recommended. Secondly, fasting on these specific days (Mondays and Thursdays) is generally recommended every month.
There’s a Hadith narrated by Usama ibn Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) where he mentioned to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he observed him fasting until it seemed he would not stop fasting, and not fasting until it seemed he would not fast, except for two days: Mondays and Thursdays. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that these are the days when deeds are presented to Allah, and he preferred his deeds to be presented while fasting. This Hadith is classified as authentic by scholars such as Al-Albani.
What is The Importance Of The Month Of Ragab In Islam?
During the sacred months, which the month of Rajab is one of them, Allah the Almighty invites us to observe the importance of these months by exercising particular caution in our behavior by stressing both the mandatory aspects of accountability and answerability for both right and wrong as well as optional acts of worship.
Here are some reasons behind the importance of the month of Rajab in Islam:
1. One Of The Four Sacred Months
There are four sacred months during the Lunar-based Islamic calendar which Rajab is the seventh month of it. Rajab is one of these four months. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong yourselves and one another during these months”
9-36
The sacred months were vaguely mentioned in the verse, and their names were not specified, but the Sunnah mentioned them.
Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – reported that the Prophet, peace is upon him, said during the Farewell Pilgrimage:
“Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Dhil-Qa’da, Dhil-Hijja, and Al-Muharam, and the fourth being Rajab Mudar which stands between Jamad (ath-thany) and Sha’ban.”
Note: What is a Sacred Month? What is meant by the four sacred months is that fighting, battles, and wars are forbidden during them. Thus, they are the months of peace and security.
2. The Month of Rajab is A Unique Islamic Month
Allah The Almighty has picked some days and months to be preferred over others in His unending wisdom and all-knowing awareness. He selected four months for special respect and Rajab is one of them.
However, this honor does not undermine the need for us to always obey and serve Allah in other months. Despite this, we must show great respect and honor to what Allah has chosen and designated as sacred since it is a reflection of our inner piety.
What are The Benefits of the Month of Rajab?
In the month of Rajab, a true Muslim can wrong himself not only by sinning but also by denying the numerous blessings offered to him during the holy month of Rajab and others.
During Rajab, rewards for good conduct are doubled in the same way as rewards for evil deeds are doubled.
Here are some of the benefits of the month of Rajab:-
1. Blessed Month You Can Use in Worship
It is one of the sacred months that Allah mentioned in his book. Many hadiths show the great benefits of the month of Rajab. Some of them are authentic, others are weak. Regardless to these hadiths, it is still a blessed month.
2. The Prophet Mentioned It
There is no authentic hadith related to Rajab with benefits except The Prophet, (peace be upon him) used to fast more in Sha’ban. When the prophet was asked about that, he said: “That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan…”
This hadith means that Rajab has great benefits because the prophet mentioned it.
3. Rajab is Allah’s month
The Prophet said, “Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban is my month, and Ramadan is my nation’s month, ”
Although this hadith is weak, the scholars said that we can follow the instructions of the weak ahadith that talks about worship as long as nothing is wrong with them and they encourage Muslims for good deeds.
4. Doubled Penalties And Doubled Handouts
In the month of Rajab deeds’ penalties and deeds’ rewards are doubled by Allah for each bad deed and each good deed because it is one of the sacred months.
5. The Ultimate Arbiter
The scholars clarify that the benefits of this month are fixed, regardless of the degree of the hadiths contained in its virtues, whether they are true, weak, or fabricated. It is because it is one of the sacred months that Allah Almighty honored.
What is Special About The Month of Rajab
There are many things that distinguish the month of Rajab. Here are some of them:
1. The Month before Shaban and Ramadan
When you love something, you love the time that you wait for it. Muslims love Shaban and the month of Ramadan, therefore they love the month of Ragab which precedes them.
2. A Holy Month
It is one of the four sacred months that were mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
3. The Month That Muslims love
All Muslims love four months due to their sacred and spiritual aspects, they love Dhul Hijjah because it is the month of pilgrimage ( Hiak) and they love the months of Rajab, Shaban and Ramadan as well.
4. The Month Of Isra’ and Mi’raj ) Ascension)
Rajab is the month in which The Miracle of Isra’ and Mi’raj ) Ascension) Happened. When the prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings be upon him) ascended up to heaven and met Allah the Highest.
5. The Month in Which The battle of Tabuk Happened
The Month in Which The Muslims achieved victory without fighting in the battle of Tabuk.
6. The Month in Which The Liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque Happened
Muslims commanded by Salah El Den liberated the Aqsa Mosque from the occupation of Crusaders in the month of Rajab.
7. Prayers were Imposed in Rajab
The five daily prayers were imposed in the month of Rajab when the prophet Muhammad was ascended up to Heaven.
Get closer to Allah Almighty with righteous acts of worship such as:
- Make Supplications dhikr, prayers, and others.
- Fast two or three days a week.
- Do Charity activities during the month.
- Visit His Holy house, Ummah.
Don’t be Inattentive, good deeds in the month of Rajab have their great rewards.
You can also go live with online Quran and Arabic Classes with Bayan al-Quran conducted by Native Arab tutors. They will help you to be good at learning the Quran, Arabic, and Islamic studies:
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- Learn Arabic Online Course
- Islamic Studies Online Course
- Noorani Qaida Online Course For Kids And Adults
Conclusion – Life At The Month of Rajab
To win Allah’s approval and achieve divine closeness at these blessed times, we must observe more compliance, adherence, and obedience to Allah’s instructions. We should always try to increase our worship, just as we do at all other times that Allah the Almighty has favored.
