How Important Is Rajab? 7 Things About Rajab You Need To Know.

Assalamu Alaykum

There are many months in Islam that are very special. Among them is Rajab. This month holds a very unique and honorable position. It is not an ordinary month; rather, it is a very special and sacred month. Allah Himself has declared this month sacred. Allah wants you to prepare yourself in this month because Ramadan is coming afterward. Today, in this post, we will tell you 7 such things about Rajab that you should do and should know.

NUMBER 1: UNDERSTAND RAJAB IN THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR.

In the Islamic calendar (Hijri), Rajab is the seventh month. The Hijri calendar is lunar. Meaning, all the months of Hijri are based on moon sighting; that is, approximately 10–11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. Despite this movement, Rajab’s significance remains constant. The meaning of Rajab in Arabic is Tarjeeb, which means respect, honor, or revere. Even before Islam came to Arabia, the people there considered Rajab a sacred month. The Arabs considered Rajab a month of honor, refraining from warfare and bloodshed. Islam has also declared it a sacred month.

NUMBER 2: RAJAB: ONE OF THE FOUR SACRED MONTHS.

One special thing that makes Rajab sacred is that Allah Himself has chosen this month. Allah said in the Quran:

"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve… of them four are sacred." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)

The four months that Allah has declared sacred are:

Dhul-Qa‘dah

Dhul-Hijjah

Muharram

Rajab

These four months are sacred due to their elevated status. Many scholars say that good deeds carry greater reward, sins are more serious, and believers are urged to be more mindful of their actions. Rajab stands out because it comes alone, separate from the other three sacred months, which come consecutively. This highlights its individual importance.

NUMBER 3: PROHIBITION OF FIGHTING IN THE MONTH OF RAJAB.

Fighting was prohibited in the sacred months. Even before Islam spread in Arabia, people used to avoid fighting and war. Rajab was given a different level of respect altogether. This shows us that the month of Rajab teaches us self-control. It teaches us to make peace. It stops us from impatience and other harmful behaviors.

"They ask you concerning fighting in the sacred months. Say: fighting therein is a great (transgression)…” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:217)

Through this Ayah, we have been told clearly that fighting in the sacred months is a transgression.

NUMBER 4: RAJAB AS A MONTH OF SPIRITUAL PREPARATION.

Many scholars say that Rajab is a month of making preparations. You perform training in these months for the upcoming Ramadan. Scholars describe these three months like this:

Rajab is the month of planting.

Sha‘ban is the month of watering.

Ramadan is the month of harvesting.

This metaphor explains the importance of these months—how you prepare yourself before Ramadan. Strengthening your relationship with Allah, fixing any weaknesses in your worship, and bringing improvements to your character. Those people who prepare a few months before the months of Rajab or Ramadan find it easy to maintain spiritual fulfillment during Ramadan.

Read Also: How To Make The Most Of Ramadan: 10 Things To Follow.

NUMBER 5: THE EVENTS OF ISRA WAL MI'RAJ.

Every Muslim knows about Isra wal Mi'raj—when Muhammad ﷺ went from Makkah to Jerusalem and from there, he went to the heavens. Many scholars say that the event of Isra wal Mi'raj occurred in the month of Rajab. However, this is a debatable issue. The exact date is not known yet, but the majority say that this event happened in the month of Rajab. Muhammad ﷺ went from Makkah to Jerusalem, and there he led all the Prophets in congregational prayer.

"I saw myself in a company of the Prophets. Then the time for prayer came and I led them in prayer." (Sahih Muslim 172)

From there, he went to the heavens, where he met many Prophets and Messengers. He saw Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam). And the biggest thing is that he went and met Allah, where they conversed about Salah. And Allah gave Muhammad ﷺ the last two verses of Surah Baqarah as well.

"When that which covers covered the lote-tree" (al-Qur'an, 53:16). He (the narrator) said: (It was) gold moths. He (the narrator further) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was given three (things): he was given five prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Sura al-Baqara, and remission of serious Sins for those among his Ummah who associate not anything with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 173)

NUMBER 6: FASTING IN RAJAB? WHAT IS AUTHENTIC?

Can we keep fasts in the month of Rajab? Do we get more reward for keeping fasts? Many people might not know this. But there is no authentic Hadith regarding keeping fasts specifically for Rajab. There is no problem in keeping a fast; keeping voluntary fasts is permissible, and you will get a reward for it. For example, you can do fasting on regular days which is Sunnah (Monday, Thursday, or the 13th-15th of the month). However, we must keep one thing in mind: to say that there are "special fasts" in Rajab could be wrong because there is no authentic Hadith regarding this.

NUMBER 7: COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT RAJAB.

As time passed, people started doing Bid'ah (innovation) in the month of Rajab. Bid'ah means to innovate something in the religion that is contrary to the Quran and Sunnah and has no authentic source. So, avoid all those things; doing Bid'ah is a sin. People say that there is a special Salah in Rajab, there are some special fasts, and so on. If there were an authentic source—meaning a Hadith or a Quranic verse—then doing it wouldn't be a sin. But doing a thing without an authentic source is Bid'ah. Therefore, follow the Quran and Sunnah and save yourself from doing Bid'ah.

"The truest of speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray." (Sahih Muslim 867)

Narrated by Aisha (RA): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) that which is not part of it, it will be rejected." (Sahih Bukhari 2697 / Sahih Muslim 1718)

"So stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Hold onto it firmly... and beware of newly invented matters, for every bid'ah is misguidance." (Sunan Abu Dawood 4607 / Tirmidhi)

So these were the 7 things that explain the importance of Rajab. The month of Rajab is a sacred month. In this month, you should prepare yourself because the month of Ramadan is coming soon. You saw that Rajab has some special qualities, and you also saw that one should not do Bid'ah in Rajab. So follow what the Quran and Sunnah say and nothing else. We will meet on a new topic next. Take care of yourself and take care of your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our Duas. Ameen.

ahadrisalah.blogspot.com

Assalamu Alaykum