Huma Najam ul Hassan’s talk titled ‘Rajab’ Transcribed by Sadaf Azhar
Rajab is the seventh month of the lunar calendar and one of the four sacred months in which the pre- Islam Arabs would not wage warfare and would instead perform Umrah. Islam continued to consider these months as sacred, in which warfare was not instigated. However, Islam allowed the Muslims to defend themselves if attacked.
Many Muslims believe that acts of worship will be rewarded more, but they forget the flip side of the coin- sins committed in these months are graver. It is similar to committing a sin in Makkah which is more reprehensible than committing it elsewhere.
For Muslims, the importance of Rajab is in connection to Ramadan- this is the time when you should begin planning and training yourself for the physical and spiritual rigours of Ramdan. A Hadith in Musnad Ahmad explains that the Prophet (sa) would pray for blessings in Rajab and Shabaan and he would pray to reach the month of Ramadan. This is a comprehensive Dua to reach Ramadan fortified with His blessings and protection.
What to do in Rajab
There are a few practical steps you can take to maximize the benefits of Rajab and start preparing for your Ramadan routine:
- If you don’t pray Qayyam Al Layl (Tahajjud), start now. Rise 20 minutes before Fajr and pray reciting the longest Surahs you remember. If you regularly pray Tahajjud, try to prolong your prayers. Attuning yourself to less sleep and prolonged standing will help during the long Taraweeh prayers.
- Fast voluntarily. Make sure you have made up the fasts you missed last Ramadan, and try fasting twice a week or on the White Days. It’ll make fasting easier in Ramadan.
- Start revising the Quran you have memorized and try to memorise more verses or Surahs and Duas. Try to make each Ramadan better than the last by improving the quality of your worship.
- Start reading or listening to the explanation of the Quran- it will help you concentrate during the Quran recitation of the Taraweeh.
- Prepare for Eid- shop for your clothes and gifts. Remember, each minute of Ramadan is an annual blessing that you don’t want to waste in frivolity.
What to avoid in Rajab
Most Muslims believe that the incident of Isra wal Mairaaj occurred on the night of the 27th of Rajab. However, some traditions quote Rabi ul Awwal or another month as the month in which the miracle occurred.
Even though this was when Allah (swt) gifted the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah to the Prophet (sa) and his Ummah and Allah (swt) made the 5 daily prayers obligatory on the Muslims, the Prophet (sa) never prayed extra nor did he single out the 27th of Rajab to fast. Some muslims mistakenly believe that spending the night of 27th Rajab praying or commemorating this Ascension is a recommended act of worship but this is an innovation in Islam.
Another innovation that actually dates back fairly recently is the ‘Kunday’ of 22nd Rajab Kunday and Niaz given in Imam Jaffar Sadiq’s name. These were initiated in the princely state of Rampur in 1902. Some Muslims erroneously believe this is a means of gaining rewards and earning Allah’s (swt) Pleasure. However, food prepared using the name of anyone other than Allah (swt) is not permissible as explained in the Quran:
“He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 173)
Likewise, some Muslims believe that voluntary fasting is recommended in Rajab since the Prophet (sa) used to fast in this month. The Prophet (sa) would fast voluntarily throughout the year and there are no authentic Hadith that specify fasting in Rajab. As mentioned earlier, fasting more frequently in Rajab and Shabaan helps prepare our bodies to withstand the month long fast of Ramadan with patience and strength.
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