Rajab – One of the Sacred Months

Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This month is regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The year has twelve months, of which four are sacred: the three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab. (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

As we absorb the teachings of the Koran and Sunna, we are taught to respect and honour what God and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) have honoured. These sacred months are a time for us to reflect on our lives, exert ourselves in extra worship and to ask Almighty Allah for His forgiveness.

The only way we can make sure we do not wrong ourselves during the sacred months is to be conscious of our actions. Time and time again we forget or are lax in our duties to God. Almighty Allah has given us these sacred months to turn to Him and to take account of ourselves.

The month of Rajab comes at a time of the year which is important for us. The coming of this month means that we are close to yet another Ramadan, God willing. While the validity of certain narrations or specific acts of worship for this month are disputed, we as average Muslims can use this month with the intention of mentally and physically preparing for Ramadan.

How can we honour the month of Rajab and use it as a preparation for Ramadan? Reflect on your life and deeds. Take some time alone and ask yourself the hard questions we normally do not like to think about: If I died today, where would I stand with Allah? Have I prepared for Ramadan? Have I been conscious of what I am saying and doing to those around me? Am I stagnant in my worship?

Isra and Mi'raj - the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad

The month of Rajab is marked by a day sacred and close to the heart of every Muslim believer, that of the Holy Night of Isra» and Mi`raj.

Isra was a night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from the al-Haram Mecca mosque to the al-Aqsa mosque in al-Quds (Jerusalem). Mi'raj is the ascension of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to heaven and the attainment of that place, of which there is no knowledge either of angels or of jinns or of men.

The greatest lesson and edification in this ascension is the prescription of five daily prayers (namaz). Namaz was prescribed to our Umma on the night of Mi'raj, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw and communicated with Almighty Allah without intermediaries.

While the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) ascension with body and soul was a miracle, then, verily, Allah has made for the Umma of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) a spiritual mi'raj, which occurs five times a day. In namaz, our souls and hearts are lifted up to their Lord, moving away from their passions and lust and witnessing the power and greatness of Allah and His Uniqueness.

The miracle of the night journey and ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during his lifetime is one of the greatest miracles. This happened after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) invited and preached to the Meccans for ten years, calling them to Islam, but in return received only ridicule, humiliation and resentment. This event happened some time after the death of Khadija and of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) uncle, Abu Talib. All these events followed one another, and so this year was called as the “year of sorrow”.

Then the Almighty gave him Mi'raj as a consolation.

On the blessed night of Isra and Mi'raj, Muslims repeatedly perform zikr, recount stories from the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), recite the Salawat, ask for the forgiveness of sins and make dua.

Also, we should not forget about helping those in need. Any alms given sincerely from the heart for the sake of seeking the pleasure of Allah will be rewarded abundantly

Fasting during the month of Radjab is a good sunna or innovation?

Rajab is the month of mercy and forgiveness. Being one of the months preceding Ramadan, Rajab is the preparation for this period and Muslims should be engaged in spiritual purification and fasting.

Regarding fasting in the month of Rajab, Imam al-Nawawi in his book Sharh Sahih al-Muslim writes: “There is no direct command or prohibition to observe the fast in the month of Rajab. But the basis of fasting in this month remains as a desirable act”.

Then Imam al-Nawawi writes the following: “In the Sunan (collection of hadiths) of Abu Dawud, it is said that the Prophet urged him to fast in the forbidden months (ashhur al- hurum) and Rajab is one of them. Allah knows best.” [Commentary on hadith No. 1960, volume 4, p. 167].

In this regard, Imam Khatib al- Shirbini in his book Mughni al-Muhtaj writes the following: “The best months for fasting after the month of Ramadan are the forbidden months, and the most auspicious of these is the month of Muharram, according to the hadith quoted by Imam Muslim: «After it (Muharram), the best month for fasting is Rajab.” [See: «Mughni al- Muhtaj» vol 3, p. 344].

“It is also reported from Aisha that the Messenger of Allah did not observe fasting after Ramadan, except for the months of Rajab and Shaban.”

This hadith indicates the desirability of fasting in the forbidden months in general.

Imam Ahmad said, “If a man fasts during that month, let him break the fast for one day in it, or two, just so as not to fast throughout.”

This indicates that Imam Ahmad considered it preferable to observe fasting in the month of Rajab.

As for the opinion that fasting in the month of Rajab is an innovation, then regarding this ibn Hajar Al- Haithami in the book Fath al-Mubin (a commentary on the collection of the hadith of Imam Al-Nawawi «Al- Arba'un») writes the following:

“There is an opinion that fasting in the month of Rajab is an innovation, but it is not so; on the contrary, fasting in the month of Rajab is an excellent sunna (desirable act), as I explained and stated in al-Fatawa al-Kubra.”

Based on the above, we can say that fasting in the month of Rajab is a desirable act for which a person receives great reward, since scholars of the Shafi'i madhhab, whose opinion is fundamental to the madhhab, refute the proposition that this is innovation and do not mention its prohibition.

FATWA DIVISION OF THE DAGESTAN MUFTIYAT