The History, Importance and Benefits of the Blessed Month of Rajab
The above ayah refers to the four sacred months and Allah (swt) has specifically commanded us not to wrong during these special months. The Prophet (saw) described these months in more detail in the following hadith:
'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: Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Al-Muharram and Rajab of Mudar [a title of Rajab], which stands between Jumada (ath-Thani) and Sha‘ban'. [Bukhari]
This year, the sacred month of Rajab will most likely begin on Saturday, 13th February 2021, at Maghrib time. Allah has chosen Rajab above other months to be sacred, so it is important that we get acquainted with its virtues, and make the most of this time.
The history of the sacred months
Since the beginning of time, fighting was forbidden during the sacred months. The sequence of the sacred months protected pilgrims journeying to the Ka’bah both before the advent of Islam and during its early days. These months were divinely designed to allow pilgrims safe passage to and from Makkah during the Hajj season.
Rajab is the seventh month of the lunar year and stands apart from the other sacred months. It is called ‘Rajab al-Fard’ or ‘Rajab the Separate One’ and Allah (swt) made it sacred in order to preserve people’s safety during ‘Umrah, the minor pilgrimage.
Unfortunately, many of the Arabs in pre-Islamic times didn’t respect the sanctity of Rajab, and would often switch it to elsewhere in the year so they could fight in the seventh month! They would pretend that Rajab was in a different month to suit their own political agendas.
The exception was the tribe of Mudar, who consistently observed the order of the lunar months and the sanctity of Rajab. Thus, when the Prophet (saw) was confirming the sacred months for us, he named it ‘Rajab of Mudar’, so the Companions knew he (saw) meant the seventh month of the lunar year.
The purpose of the sacred months
As mentioned above, the sacred months allowed pilgrims to travel safely to and from the holy lands. This purpose is less relevant today as we don’t need a whole month to travel to Makkah!
What is relevant though is that our deeds weigh heavier on the scales during these four months. Allah commands us: 'Do not wrong yourselves during them' [The Noble Qur’an, 9:36], because it is graver to commit a sin during a sacred month. On the flip side, there are also more rewards bestowed on those who perform good deeds during the scared months.
It is therefore crucial that we need remain extra-vigilant in everything we do and say during the month of Rajab, and stay steadfast in seeking Allah’s pleasure.
The first virtue of Rajab
Rajab has three main virtues. The first of them is that it is the month of Allah.
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha‘ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti]
SubhanAllah, this is a great title to be honoured with, and no doubt we should be paying special attention to the month devoted to the Almighty.
The second virtue of Rajab
Rajab was divinely selected for three historic and momentous events:
- The marriage of the noble parents of the Prophet (saw)
- Aminah, the noble mother of the Prophet (saw) becoming pregnant with the Best of Creation (saw)
- The miraculous Night Journey and Ascension (Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj), which took place on the 27th night of Rajab.
SubhanAllah, while most of us give importance to Ramadan as the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, we must not neglect the status of Rajab Not only was the Prophet (saw) conceived in Rajab, but we also received three further divine gifts during Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj:
- The gift of our five daily prayers, which ground our days in the worship of Allah
- The last two ayat of Surah Baqarah, of which the Prophet (saw) said, 'Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Baqarah in the night, it will suffice him'. [Bukhari]
- Allah’s gift to the believers: Whoever dies believing in Allah and not associating anything with Him, will enter Paradise. [Nasa’i]
It is clear, therefore, that Allah chose Rajab above other months for these extraordinary events.
The third virtue of Rajab
Did you know that Rajab is also known as ‘Rajab al-Asabb’ or ‘the Pouring Rajab’? This is because Allah pours His numerous blessings and favours down during this month, as well as His abundant mercy.
Similarly, Rajab is also known as the Month of Tawbah (repentance) and the Month of Istighfar (seeking forgiveness).
Again, most Muslims tend to increase their good deeds and worship during Ramadan, hoping to receive the blessings and mercy which are pouring down. Although this is great, we also have a chance to do the same during Rajab, and we definitely shouldn’t miss out! Remember, our deeds weigh heavier on the scales in the sacred months, so this is an excellent opportunity to give Sadaqah.
The meaning of ‘Rajab’ and its titles
Before we go into the recommended actions for Rajab, we’d like to touch on a few of its names.
This amplifies the meaning of the sacred month, in which war and fighting were unlawful since. This rule was even respected by some of the pre-Islamic Arabs in the Time of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah).
To further emphasise its sanctity, Rajab is also called 'Rajab al-Murajjab', which means that it is extraordinarily honoured, revered, and magnified.
Moreover, it is called 'Rajab al-Asamm', which means ‘the Deafening and Silent Rajab’. This is because you cannot hear the clashing of swords during Rajab, as fighting is prohibited.
Earlier, we also mentioned that it is called 'Rajab the Separate One' because it stands alone as a sacred month.
Finally, there is one more linguistic wonder that is worth mentioning. Some scholars have noticed that ‘Rajab’ is composed of three letters, which represent other profound words:
- Ra - for Rahmah: representing the Rahmatu-Allah, the mercy of Allah
- Jeem - for Juud: representing Juudu-Allah, the generosity of Allah
- Ba - for Birr: representing Birru-Allah, the kindness of Allah
As you can see, even the meaning of ‘Rajab’ reflects its virtues in so many ways.
Now, let's discuss the recommended actions for Rajab.
Recommended: Don’t waste the first night!
It is highly recommended to turn to Allah on the first night of Rajab.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) used to spend four nights in worship: the first night of Rajab, the nights before the two Eids, and the 15th night of Sha‘ban.
The first night of Rajab will most likely be the night of Saturday 13th February 2021. Make sure to make a list of Du’as so you are fully prepared when the night begins!
Recommended: Seek forgiveness throughout the month
It has been narrated, 'Seek much forgiveness from Allah in Rajab because in every hour (of the month) Allah frees people from the Fire'. [Dailami]
For this reason, the scholars say that Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness, Sha‘ban is the month of bestowing prayers upon the Prophet (saw), and Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an.
We recommend saying this short and powerful du’a every day in Rajab:
Another way of seeking Allah’s forgiveness is by giving charity, as the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire’. [Ibn Majah]
Recommended: Prepare for Ramadan in Rajab
There are now only two months to go until Ramadan! It is essential that we start preparing from now, laying the foundations of good habits, and making an action plan for this blessed month.
As Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (rh), the uncle of Imam Tirmidhi (rh), said, 'The month of Rajab is the month of planting (your seeds), Sha‘ban is the month of irrigating / watering (them), and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop'.
He (rh) also said, 'The month of Rajab is like wind, Sha‘ban is like clouds and Ramadan is like rain'.
This imagery perfectly describes the significance of each month in the lead-up to Ramadan. In Rajab, we should be laying foundations and making preparations; in Sha’ban, our preparations will become more tangible and our increased worship will become habitual - and in Ramadan, our good deeds will overflow, Insha’ Allah!
So how can we use Rajab to prepare for Ramadan? Here’s our simple, three-step plan:
One: To start with, you have to make a good intention. The Prophet’s (saw) Du’a is perfect for this:
Two: Write down everything you regret NOT doing last Ramadan. Did you find it difficult to pray at night? Did you put off making up fasts until two weeks before Ramadan? Did you forget to make certain Du’as?
Three: Make a plan for addressing these issues during Rajab. For example, you could start praying at night once a week. You could start fasting on Mondays or Thursdays (or both) from now. You could make a list of Du’as that you must make, so you can check them off every day in Ramadan.
Remember to set realistic and tangible targets so you can make real progress during Rajab.
Recommended: Understand the weight of a sacred month
Above all, remember that a sacred month is similar to a sacred place. We know that it is recommended to bathe and purify oneself before entering the Haram of Makkah, and become more conscious of the weight of our actions. Likewise, we should try to enter a sacred month in a state of purity, and strive to maintain that purity throughout the month.
For example, the Messenger of Allah (saw) recommended fasting at least some days in each of the sacred months. Some of the Companions, among them Umar (ra) and his son Abdullah (ra), and Aisha (ra), liked to make ‘Umrah in Rajab.
We pray Allah showers you with blessings in Rajab and beyond, that you reap the rewards of your good deeds Insha'Allah Ameen!
