Rajab one of the four months declared sacred by Allah

Rajab is one of the four sacred months. It stands alone, unlike the other three which come one after the other.

Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid Al-Fitr. These three months (Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadan) are unmatched in their importance.

The Prophet said: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” The fact that it is the month of Allah means that it is worthy of veneration, and the Messenger of Allah himself would venerate it.

Rajab is the key to the months of goodness which follow it. For that reason Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “In the month of Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.” He also said: “Rajab is like a wind, Sha`ban is like a cloud and Ramadan is like rain.”

Rajab was the month in which the Prophet’s blessed parents were married, and the month in which Sayyidah Aminah became pregnant with the Best of Creation.

Most of the scholars say that the Isra’ (Night Journey) and the Mi`raj (Ascension) took place on the 27th night of Rajab. This was the night on which the Messenger of Allah received the greatest ennoblement that a created being ever received from Allah.

When one of the pious scholars became ill he said: “I have asked Allah to delay my death until the month of Rajab because I have heard that those that die in that month are saved from the Fire.” Allah answered his supplication and he died in Rajab.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said: “Rajab is a great month of Allah (SWT), unmatched by any other month in the respect and significance (accorded to it); war with the infidels during this month is prohibited; Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban my month and Ramadan the month of my Ummah; whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in heaven); the wrath of Allah (SWT) shall be distanced and a door of the Hell shall be closed.”

In the first night of Rajab it is recommended to turn to Allah in the first night of Rajab. It has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “There are five nights on which du`a is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, Thursday night, the night before `Id al-Fitr and the night before `Id al-Nahr (al-Adha).”

However, the best way of preparing the heart to receive divine gifts is purification and repentance. It has been narrated: “Seek much forgiveness from Allah in Rajab because in every hour (of the month) Allah frees people from the Fire.”

For this reason the scholars say that Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness, Sha`ban is the month of bestowing prayers upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an.

Thus it is recommended to seek much forgiveness in Rajab. Some of the scholars compiled special collections of istighfar, among them Habib Hasan, the son of Imam.