By From the MuslimGirl staff to you, we would like to wish you a very blessed month of Rajab! We pray during this blessed month of Rajab that we are able to supplicate to Him. May Allah give us the strength and ability to fast during the sacred month leading up to Ramadan. Here are some awesome facts about the month of Rajab that you may not have known before:
1. Rajab is one of four sacred months in the Islamic calendar.
Rajab is superabundant in favors and benefits. It’s declared sacred for many reasons, but mostly because Allah has declared that fighting is prohibited in these months unless it’s initiated by the enemy. A transgression of the sacred limits during these months is worse than at other times. Fighting was forbidden so that the pilgrims could go on a pilgrimage to Makkah. One of the sacred months precedes Hajj, one is for Hajj itself, and one succeeds it. While for Rajab, Allah (SWT) forbids fighting so that people can make the lesser pilgrimage: Umrah. Our world today is filled with violence of all kinds, ceasefires for the month of Rajab is an attempt to bring more peace – hopefully!
Prophet Muhammad said: “O People! Time has gone back to how it was at the time Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. A year has twelve months, four of which are sacred, three consecutive, Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab.” [Al-Bukhari]
2. A pivotal moment in Islamic theology happened.
During this sacred month, Prophet Muhammad was taken from the Kabah in Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and from there he was taken through the heavens close to the throne of Allah. This journey is called “Al Isra’ wal Mi’raaj” (the Night Journey and Ascension) and is an important part of Islamic history.
3. Fasting gets you extra brownie points!
If a person were to fast one day in this month for the sake of reward from Allah, then he would have earned the pleasure of Allah. It is highly recommended to fast for at least one day during the month of Rajab and Sha’ban.
Hazrat Salman Al-Fasri narrates that the Messenger of Allah said that there is a day in the month of Rajab in which if a person fasts and does Qiyaamul Layl (night prayer), he will receive rewards like a person who fasts for 100 years and does the night prayer for 100 years. This night is the night of the 27th of Rajab and the day of the 27th. This is the day on which Prophet Muhammad was appointed to be a Messenger.
4. Rajab is characterized as a season of forgiving.
Prophet Muhammad used to say: “Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah; He is verily the Forgiver, and the Merciful.“
5. It’s Ramadan prep time, ladies.
Make du’ah. Ask Allah for forgiveness and to bless us with the opportunity to reach Ramadan and benefit from the months leading to it. Here are some prayers you can recite that are significant during this month:
Astaghfirulaahallad’ee Laa Ilaaha Ilaa Huwa Wah’dahoo La Shareeka Lahoo Wa Atoobu Ilayh (I ask forgiveness of Allah, who is “There is no God save He, and no other; has no partner;” and I turn repentant to Him)
The Prophet would read the following supplication when the month of Rajab came in:
Allahumma Barik Lana Fi Rajab wa Sha’ban Wa ballighna Ramadan (Oh Allah Bless us in Rajab, Sha’ban and let us reach Ramadan).
Here are some goals you can make for Rajab if you want to get that spirituality in check:
- Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas at least 100 times in the month of Rajab.
- Repeat “laa ilaaha illa-Allah” 1000 times.
- Repeating Sura Al Tawheed ‘Qul-ho-wallaho Ahad’ or Surah Al-Ikhlas 1000 times to get the reward of 1000 Angels and blessings on the reciter, his/her children, family, and neighbors.
- There is a big reward for those who donate to charity during the month of Rajab. Those who cannot fast may give charity to the poor everyday.
6. Rajab marks the beginning of a spiritual season which ends with Eid Al Fitr after Ramadan.
Let’s do this.
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