Rajab

“Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months.” [Surah At-Tawbah, v.36]

Commentary

The Noble Prophet ﷺ explained these months by saying: “Three months are consecutive – Dhual-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab.” [Bukhari, 3197]

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas رضى الله عنه is reported to have said, “Allah Ta’ala offered distinction to four months. He has made them sacred and has increased their sacredness. He has made sinning in them more sinful, and good deeds carried out during these months more rewarding.” [Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 221].

Imam Qatadah (May Allah have mercy on him) said: “Indeed, sinning during these months is more severe than other months, even though sinning, in any case, is transgression.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Tawbah, v.36] Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Malik رضى الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would recite the following supplication when the Month of Rajab would commence:

اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَناَ فِيْ رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبانَ وَبَلّغْنَا رَمَضَانْ

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajabiw wa Sha’bana wa balligh-na Ramadan.

Translation: Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.

Imam Shafi’i (May Allah have mercy on him) has stated: “I have heard that du’as are accepted by

Almighty Allah on five nights:

1) The night of Jumu’ah,
2 and 3) The nights of the two ‘Eids,
4) The first night of Rajab,
5) The middle (15th) night of Sha’ban

[Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 1264]

By Mawlana Mushtaq Shaikh