The holy month of Rajab is full of divine blessings. Understand the importance of the month and the best deeds to perform in it.
The holy month of Rajab is full of divine blessings. Understand the importance of the month and the best deeds to perform in it.
Our spirituality and connection with Islam fluctuate throughout the year. Allah (SWT) is aware of this and has marked several months as periods of extra opportunity to easily connect with and renew our faith.
Shahru Ramadan represents the culmination of the season of spirituality and positive change, but it starts two months earlier in Rajab. Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. Here are three amazing things we need to know about the month, followed by five things to do throughout the blessed month of Rajab.
Rajab is One of the Four Sacred Months
In Surah Tawba verse 36, Allah (SWT) states the following:
Indeed the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s book, the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred.”
Rajab has been a sacred month long before the advent of Islam. In pre-Islamic Arabia, fighting was prohibited during Rajab. Interestingly, the latter part of the verse reads: “So, do not wrong yourself therein.” Haram is haram all year round, so why has God mentioned something already obvious? Perhaps Allah (SWT) is aware of the sacredness of this month and wants us to be extra careful in keeping away from sin and wrongdoing.
Rajab is the Month of Allah
In Prophetic narrations, Rajab is described as “Shahr-u-llah” (the month of Allah). The Prophet has reported having said the following (taken from Suyuti):
Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Shaaban my Month and Ramadan the month of my Ummah.”
Every month is Allah’s month, but Rajab is marked explicitly as Allah’s month shows how important and sacred the month is and the great opportunity we have to strengthen our relationship with Allah (SWT).
God’s Mercy pours in Rajab
Allah (SWT) is the Most Merciful, and in Rajab, this mercy is pouring down even more intensely, and we have to take advantage of this. This mercy will only be received by those who seek it.
On this note, the Prophet has said:
Rajab is called ‘asab’ because divine mercy is poured on my people in this month.”
(Bihar Al-Anwar, volume 94, page 47)
In another narration, the Prophet said”
O Muslims! The blessed month has spread it shadow on you. This is month where divine mercy pours on whoever worships God except for a polytheist or heretic.”
(Bihar Al-Anwar, volume 94, page 47)
Here are five recommended acts in the holy month of Rajab
Fasting
Except for the month of Ramadan, no other month has fasting emphasised as much as Rajab. Imam Kadhim (as) is narrated to have said:
Rajab is the name of a river in paradise that is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Allah (SWT) will allow one to drink from this river even if they perform the fast for one day in this month.”
(Bihar Al-Anwar, volume 8, page 175)
Fasting will protect us from the punishment of the grave, hellfire and fulfilment of needs and wishes. You can fast any day in Rajab to earn these blessings; however, Mondays, Thursdays and the middle of Rajab is emphasised (Ibn Ma’jah). One must first ensure they make up any obligatory fasts before performing recommended fasts.
Seek Forgiveness
Want to be sinless like the day you were born? Rajab is the ideal opportunity for sincere forgiveness. If you’re unsure how to seek forgiveness, you can recite astagfirullah wa atubu ilayh 70 times every morning and evening while remembering your sins.
Performing the Umrah
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described Rajab as “the month of Allah”; therefore, visiting His House is highly recommended in this month!
Give Charity
Regular charity shields us from worldly calamities and the fire of the afterlife. Doing so in the month of Rajab can provide us with greater immunity. In today’s day and age, it is so easy to give charity with a click of a button. Don’t lose out on this opportunity. If you like what The Muslim Vibe is doing, consider donating a small amount!
Recite Supplications
The Prophet (PBUH) used to make this dua at the beginning of Rajab:
Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha’ban wa ballighna Ramadan. (Oh Allah, bless Rajab for us and Shaaban and allow us to live during Ramadan).”
(Imam Ahmad)
Increase the frequency of supplication in Rajab. As mentioned, seeking forgiveness is highly important, but one can supplicate in any language with any choice of words, as long as it is heartfelt.
Perform General Dood Deeds
Rajab is a month where rewards for good acts are amplified compared to other months. Therefore any good deed performed will reap a greater reward. Consider:
- forgiving anyone who has wronged you
- mending broken ties
or any good deed that you’d like to do.
Rajab is Preparation for Shahru Ramadan
We should use Rajab (and Shabaan) as preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. What often happens is we’ll start the month of Ramadan without any preparation and, as a result, a large portion of the month will go in getting used to fasting, odd sleep hours and the struggle in performing extra good deeds. We want to build these habits now to maximise and take full advantage of the month of Ramadan.
Thank you to Noor Islamic Education for this helpful video on the merits and acts to perform in Rajab.
