Rajab — a month of significance

Allah is All-Wise and All-Knowing. He created twelve months in a year but gave some months more significance than others. Among these twelve, Rajab is one of the most important months. It is the seventh of the lunar calendar and comes before Sha’aban.

The month of Rajab is denoted by several names, each of which emphasizes its honor and importance. It is called:

• Rajab-al-‘Asam (the silent month) because the Arab tradition required them to refrain from warfare during this month,
• Rajab-al-Asab (a month of overwhelming abundance) because, in Rajab, Allah’s blessings come down in abundance, and
• Rajab-al-Murajjab due to its glorified status.

Some of the reasons why Rajab holds a place of importance among the others are:

One of the ‘Sacred Months’

Allah has specified four months as the sacred ones. Since they are termed sacred by our Lord and His Prophet (P.B.U.H), it is our duty to respect the months as they should be respected. During these months, we should pay extra attention to our prayers, make sure our conduct is on point, and try to offer nafl (optional) worship as well.

Some of the verses in Qur’an are:

“Undoubtedly, the number of months with Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah since the day He created heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the right religion. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves in these months.” [Quran, 9:36]

“O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month…” [Qur’an, 5:2]

The names of the four sacred months can be found in a hadith:

“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.” [Bukhari]

The night of Mai’raj

Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala blessed Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) with an opportunity to travel from Mecca to Jerusalem and all the way to heavens in skies. It happened on a night of 27^th of Rajab. It was a miracle since no one could travel in such a short time back then from Mecca to Jerusalem. But Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) not only visited Jerusalem but also the heavens! Allah says in Qur’an:

“Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose precincts We did bless – in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the one Who heareth and seeth (all things).”  [Qur’an, 17:1]

(Some scholars do not agree with the specific date of this event. The popular belief, however, states that the event of Mairaj took place on the 27^th of Rajab. Allah knows best.)

Preparation for Ramadan

Since it comes two months prior to Ramadan, Rajab is also the time to prepare for the holiest of months. We should brace ourselves to dedicate more time for worshipping. Apart from the obligatory modes of worship, we should also perform voluntary worships; pray extra nafl especially tahajjud, do more charity, and try to improve our conducts.

Rajab is an opportunity to getting ourselves used to voluntary worships. Work slowly and steadily to attain huge rewards.