What Are The Virtues of The Month of Rajab?

A collection of Quran ayat, Prophetic ahadith and adiyah (duas) from around the Muslim blogosphere, all relating to the current Islamic month of Rajab. Today is the second of Rajab, according to the Hijri calendar.

Be Prepared for Ramadhan
Suhaibwebb.com, 01 August 2011

The key to a productive Ramadhan is to prepare for it well in advance. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) encouraged us to fast and do extra good deeds during the months of Rajab and Sha`baan as a means of preparing ourselves for Ramadhan. Rajab and Sha`baan can be considered the months of sowing, while Ramadhan the month of reaping. If you really want to have good harvest this Ramadhan, plant your seeds in Rajab and Sha`baan.

Take advantage of those months to train your body to wake up one hour before fajr (dawn prayer);

• to read more Qur’an during the day; 
• to fast on the preferred days, such as Mondays and Thursdays; 
• and to practice doing extra good deeds.

By doing this, you will ease your way into Ramadhan and performing those extra `ibadaat (acts of worship) during Ramadhan will become very easy for you insha’Allah.

If you haven’t prepared for this Ramadhan, make the intention to do it next Ramadhan.
*Edit: There is still time to plant seeds of worship.


Question: What are the virtues of the month of Rajab?
Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel; (Imam Abdul Gani al-Nablusi, Fadhail al-Shuhur wal-Ayyam [Virtues of Months and Days] pg 27, 32)
SunniPath.com (Qibla), June 2005; SeekersGuidance.org, 09 June 2011

Answer: It has been mentioned by Abu Nu’aim in Hilya from Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) he said, that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to make the following dua, when the month of Rajab came in:

“Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa ballighna Ramadhan”

It has been mentioned by Abul Fath ibn Abil-Fawaris in his Amali (dictations and transmissions) and Allama Suyuti has also mentioned in his Jami Saghir from Hasan Basri that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Rajab is the month of Allah. Shaban is my month. Ramadhan is the month of my ummah (followers)”.

From the above hadith, it shows that it is preferable to make du`a, to remain in the coming and following months, in order to perform good actions in them, because a true believer increases in his age with goodness. The best of people is the one who lives long and performs good actions.

The pious predecessors used to prefer dying after performing good actions, like the fast of Ramadhan or returning from Haj. And it was said by them, “whoever dies in this way, is forgiven.”
There is no doubt that the month of Rajab is the key to the opening of the months of goodness and blessing.

Abu Bakr Warraq (May Allah be pleased with him) said,

“Rajab is a month of cultivation, Shaban is month of irrigating the fields, and the month of Ramadhan is a month of reaping and harvesting.”

The summary is, that the month of Rajab is a sacred month and the first, virtuous and noble of them all. So it is appropriate to celebrate it ENTIRELY and to give attention to it by performing good acts, and refraining oneself from sins and offensive things, because it is the month of Allah.
It has been mentioned that Allah said,

“Fasting is for me and I will recompense one for it.”

Fasting in the month of Rajab prevents one from sins, let alone refraining one from killing and having enmity towards the enemy (which this month was made sacred for), like it was practiced by the people in the ignorant (jahili) period.


Merits of Rajab and Du`a for the First Night of Rajab
AllahCentric (Wordpress), 03 June 2011

By the bounty of Allah we will soon be entering the blessed month of Rajab. Rajab is one of the four sacred months. It stands alone, unlike the other three which come together. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`bān is my month, and Ramadhan is the month of my Ummah.”[1] The fact that it is the month of Allah means that it is worthy of veneration, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) himself would venerate it. When the month entered he would seek its blessings, saying:

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`bān and enable us to reach Ramadhan!”[2]

Rajab is the key to the months of goodness which follow it. For that reason Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “Rajab is like a wind, Sha`ban is like a cloud and Ramadhan is like rain.”

Rajab was the month in which the Prophet’s blessed parents were married, and the month in which Amina (ra) became pregnant with the Best of Creation (peace and blessings be upon him). Most of the scholars say that the Isra’ (Night Journey) and the Mi`raj (Ascension) took place on the 27th night of Rajab. This was the night on which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) received the greatest ennoblement that a created being ever received from Allah.

When one of the pious scholars became ill he said: “I have asked Allah to delay my death until the month of Rajab because I have heard that those that die in that month are saved from the Fire.” Allah answered his supplication and he passed away in Rajab.


The First Night of Rajab

It is recommended to turn to Allah in the first night of Rajab. It has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“There are five nights on which du`ā’ is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`bān, Thursday night, the night before `Eid al-Fitr and the night before `Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha).”[3]

`Ali, may Allah be well pleased with him, used to allocate extra amounts of time for worship on four nights – the first night of Rajab, the nights before the two `Eids, and the 15th night of Sha`bān. For this reason the scholars of Tarim hold a special gathering of dhikr on the first night of Rajab and a large mawlid the following morning.


Rajab, the Month of Istighfār (asking for forgiveness)

The best way of preparing the heart to receive divine gifts is purification and repentance. For this reason the scholars say that Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness, whereas Sha`ban is the month of sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. Thus it is recommended to seek much forgiveness in Rajab.

Some of the scholars compiled special formulae of istighfar especially for Rajab, among them Habib Hasan the son of Imam `Abullah bin `Alawi al-Haddad.

In Tarim the following formula is read 70 times in congregation immediately after the `Isha Prayer every night in Rajab. The one reading it raises his hands while doing so:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لي وارْحَمْنِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ
Transliteration: “Rabbighfir'li w’arHamni wa tub`alayya.”
Translation: “Oh Allah forgive me, have mercy upon me, and grant me repentance.”[4]


Good Deeds in Rajab

The reward of our good actions is multiplied in the sacred months, so it is recommended to do as many good deeds as possible. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended fasting at least some days in each of the sacred months. Some of the Companions, among them `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, and his son `Abdullah and `A’isha, liked to make `Umrah in Rajab.

At the same time bad deeds are also more serious in the sacred months so we must do our utmost to avoid any wrongdoings.

A sacred month is similar to a sacred place. It is recommended to bathe and purify oneself before entering the haram of Mecca and while in it one is more conscious of the weight of one’s actions. Likewise with a sacred month – we try to enter it in a state of purity and we try to maintain that purity throughout through doing good and avoiding evil.

O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and enable us to reach Ramadan. Peace and blessings upon the one who guided us to all good and warned us of all evil, our Master Muhammad and his blessed family and Companions and all those that follow his guidance until the end of time.

Taken from Kanz al-Najah wa’l-Suroor by Shaykh `Abd al-Hamid Quds and Lata’if al-Ma`rif by Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali. May Allah reward Sidi Amjad Tarsin for the original translation.
[1] Narrated by al-Suyuti
[2] Narrated by Ahmad
[3] Narrated by al-Suyuti
[4] Narrated by Wahb bin Munnabih who said that if someone reads this every morning and evening in Rajab the Fire will not touch his skin.


The Rajab Letter, by Amjad Tarsin
Healing Hearts Blog, 24 June 2009

This is another excerpt from the book Kanz al-Najah wa’l-Suroor (“The Treasures of Success and Happiness”), a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. As the blessed and holy month of Rajab approaches, hopefully this information will be of use in allowing us all to appreciate it and benefit from it:

So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time! Whoever is spiritually sick due to their sins – know that the medicine has come. Know that Rajab is a virtuous month in which worship is gloriously rewarded – especially fasting and seeking repentance (istighfar).

Also, making du’a during the eve of the first of Rajab is highly recommended. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “There are five nights in which du’a (supplication) is not rejected: the eve of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’aban, the eve of Friday, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the eve of Eid Al-Adha.” [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami'].

On the 27th night of Rajab, the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, was taken on the Isra wa Mi’raj (The Night Journey and Ascension to the Heavens). This was a great and glorious night, as is known to most Muslims, in which the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, met his Lord and was given the commandment to perform the 5 daily prayers.

Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (the four months are:

1. Rajab,
2. Dhul Qi’da,
3. Dhul Hijjah,
4. and Muharram

{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} (Qur'an, 9:36)

Rajab is Allah’s month in which He pours His Mercy upon the penitent and He accepts the actions that people have done for His sake. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “Rajab is the month of Allah, and Sha’aban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” (Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami).

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 Qur’an.

It is also highly recommended to say the following Prophetic prayer (known as Sayyid Al-Istighfar or the Master of Repentance) 3 times every morning and every evening in Rajab:

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.

And success is from Allah.

|| End ||

Image {China, Secrets of the Dragon, Samantha Austin; Kandour Ltd, 2007}