We are already in the month of Rajab. Rajab has been honoured in the Quran as one of the four sacred months.
When this month came, the Prophet (PBUH) used to make a special du’a, “Allahumma barik la naa fee Rajabi wa al-Sha’baan wa ballighnaa Ramadan” — “O Allah! bless us in Rajab and Sha’baan and make us reach Ramadan.” This clearly indicates that the Prophet (PBUH) connected these three months together and sought Allah’s special blessings in the two months preceding Ramadan.
Rajab comes from the root word Rajaba – “to respect”.
There are numerous historical events, which occurred during the month of Rajab. Some notable ones are:
- The Miraj of the Prophet (PBUH), this being the most important. This event occurred on the 27th night of Rajab.
- Bilal (RA) brought 400 men to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and they embraced Islam.
- The capture of Jerusalem by Sultan Saladin.
It is praiseworthy to give and spend generously in Allah’s way, seeking His pleasure in this sacred month. It is praiseworthy to engage much in worship in this month. It is also praiseworthy to fast in this month.
There is a hadith recorded in the Sunan of Imam Abu Dawud in which it is reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Fast some days of the sacred months and not others.” As we fast in the days of Ashura (Muharram), and as we fast in the days of Dhul Qa’dah and Dhul Hijjah, likewise it is praiseworthy to fast in the days of Rajab.
It is therefore Sunnah to fast in this month. However, one must be careful not to let fasting in this month affect one’s fast two months later, in Ramadan. For some, fasting in this month may affect their health that they may fall ill and become unable to fast in Ramadan. If one is confident this would not happen, then one may fast. The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast in Rajab so much that the Sahaba thought he would never break his fast, and he similarly used not to fast in this month so much that the Sahaba thought he would not fast (again in the month).
Gabriel (AS) said to the Prophet (PBUH) on his night journey (Mi’raj) about the river named Rajab, that whoever fasts in the month of Rajab and sends Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH), he will drink from that river.
We could therefore begin sowing in Rajab to reap a greater harvest in Ramadan. We ask Allah for His special blessings in this month of His. All months are His, and the sacred months are also His, and this one amongst the sacred ones, that is linked to Ramadan is further more His. So we ask Allah’s special blessings in the blessed month following Rajab and we also ask Him to make us reach Ramadan.
