The Virtues of the Month of Rajab in Islam

Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the Islamic calendar. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” The merit of the month of Rajab is like the merit of the rest of the other sacred months. Allah Almighty says in the Majestic Quran: “The number of months recorded in Allah’s book since the day He created the Heavens and the Earth is twelve, four of them are sacred; this is the established law of nature, so don’t be mistaken regarding them.^aYou may fight the idolaters all out just as they fight you all out, and know Allah is with those who are mindful of Him.”  (Quran, 9:36)

The Holy Month of Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer which ends with the fasting month of Ramadan and the Eid-ul-Fitr. The sacred months are unmatched in their importance. We should praise to the Almighty Allah and thanks to Him for granting us an opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and mistakes in the holy month of Rajab.

It is narrated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Rajab is the month of Allah that is called Al-Asab (the pourer) for Allah showers His servants with mercy in it”. The days of the Holy Month of Rajab are more like an opportunity for people to return to Allah (SWT) and experience His kindness and mercy, and discard any spite, grudge, and hatred that might have been flared up in the past.

It is recommended to seek forgiveness in the month of Rajab. Voluntary Fasting in the sacred months, including Rajab, is also recommended. In this regard, Abu Dawud reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Observe fasting for some days in the sacred months and leave fasting for other days.” One should start doing good deeds in the double amount in order to get more rewards in the month of Rajab. The reward of good deeds multiplied in the sacred months, so it is recommended to do as many good deeds as possible. The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recommended fasting at least some days in each of the sacred months.

The most important event in the Islamic history is on this sacred month, on the 27th of Rajab the night of Isra and Shab e Miraj occurred. In this night Muhammad (SAW) visited the heavens in just a second. In the Quran, it is written: “Glory to Him Who took His noble servant on a night journey^a from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque-whose surroundings we made holy-to show him Our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seeing.” (Quran, 17:1)

May Almighty Allah give us the strength to perform good deeds in excess and shower His countless blessings on us.