The Sacred Month of Rajab

Assalamualaykum wa Rahmatullah

We are nearing the end of the first week of the blessed month of Rajab. This is the month in which we should start preparing ourselves and our deeds for the coming of the blessed month of Ramadan, insha'Allah.

According to Mufti Taqi Usmani (db):

Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This month was regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet . It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha'ban. Therefore, when the Holy Prophet sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words: "O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)." Yet no specific way of worship has been prescribed by the Shari'ah in this month...However, being a prologue to the month of Ramadan, it should be availed of for preparing oneself for Ramadan and one should pray Allah to make him reach the blessed month and to benefit from its unique merits. For Muftis full article, please see: http://albalagh.net/general/rajab.shtml Some additional information: Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (the four months are : Rajab, Dhul Qi'da, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram): {إن عدة الشهور عند الله اثنا عشر شهرا في كتاب الله يوم خلق السموت والارض منها اربعة حرم} (التوبة: 36) {The number of months is twelve according to God, in the decree of God, on the day God created the heavens and the earth; and four of them are sacred} (9:36) Muslims should remember the important events that took place in the history of Islam during this month, such as the Night Journey and Ascension, the Battle of Tabuk, and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the crusaders at the hands of Salah Ad-Din Al-Ayubi (AH 538). Some scholars say: Rajab is the month of repentance (istighfar), and Sha'aban is the month of sending peace and mercy (salawat/durood shareef) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Quran. Observing voluntary fasting in the sacred months, including Rajab, is recommended. In this regard, Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Mujibah Al-Bahilyyah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her father or uncle, "Observe fasting for some days in the sacred months and leave fasting for other days." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said this three times, folding three fingers of him and then unfolding them each time. The Prophet's using three fingers here is meant to assert his recommendation of fasting during these months, and not to indicate the number of the days to observe fasting therein. Hence, doing good deeds, including fasting, in Rajab is generally praiseworthy like doing so in the rest of the sacred months. According to Ibn Hajar, there is no hadith, whether authentic or good, reported to the effect that observing fasting in Rajab entails a special reward. Thus, fasting is permissible and recommended in Rajab as long as one believes that there is no extra reward for fasting in this month. "اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني وتب عليَّ" Transliteration: "Allahuma ighfir li wa Arhamni wa tub 'alayya." Translation: (Oh Allah forgive me, have mercy upon me, and grant me repentance) اللهم أنت ربي، لا اله الا أنت خلقتني وأنا عبدك، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليَّ وأبوء يذنبي فاغفر لي فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب الا أنت Transliteration Allahuma anta rabi la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'adika ma astata'at, 'authu bika min shar ma san'at, abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'allaya wa abu'u bi dhanbi, faqhfir li fa'innahu la yaghfir al-dhunub ila anta. Translation (O Allah, you are my Lord, and there is no god but you. You created me and I am your servant, and I am upon the convenant to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in you from the evil I have brought upon myself. I admit all the blessings you have given me and I admit my sins, so forgive me, for no one can forgive sins save You) __._,_.___

So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab in preparing for Ramadan, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time.