Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
The word Rajab comes from an Arabic root word which means ‘to be afraid, revere, venerate, honor and magnify’. Our Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha‘ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. Subhan’Allah, this is a great title to be honored with, and we should be paying special attention to the month that bears this honor.
The History of the Sacred Months…
The Holy Quran says, “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 yourself in these months.” – (9:36)
Since the beginning of time, fighting has been forbidden during the sacred months. The sequence of the sacred months protected pilgrims to the Ka’bah both before the advent of Islam and during its early days. They were divinely designed to allow pilgrims safe passage to and from Makkah during the Hajj season and fall one after another. Meanwhile Rajab, the seventh month of the lunar year, stands apart from the other sacred months. It is thus called ‘Rajab al-Fard’ or ‘Rajab the Separate One’. Allah made it sacred in order to preserve people’s safety during ’Umrah, the minor pilgrimage. This particular purpose is less relevant today, when we don’t need a whole month to travel to Makkah!
Other names for Rajab – Rajab has almost 18 different names due to its virtues. Rajab is also known as ‘Rajab al-Asabb’ or ‘the Pouring Rajab’ because Allah pours His numerous blessings and favors down during this month, as well as His abundant mercy. Similarly, Rajab is also known as the ‘Month of Tawbah’ (repentance) and the Month of Istighfar (seeking forgiveness). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) used to say: “Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT); He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful.
Rajab is also called ’Rajab al-Murajjab’, which means that it is extraordinarily honoured, revered and magnified. Another name for this month is ‘Rajab al-Asamm’, which means ‘the Deafening and Silent Rajab’. This is because you could not hear the clashing of swords during Rajab, as fighting was prohibited.
Significance of Rajab
There is a host of reasons why Rajab holds such significance in Islam and for every Muslim, a few prominent ones are listed below:
13th Rajab, the birth date of Shah-e-mardan Sher-e-yazdan Quwat-e-Parwardigar, Hazrat Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib (a.s.) –- On the 13th of Rajab, Muslims around the world celebrate the birth anniversary of Amir-al-mu’minin Mawla Murtaza ‘Ali (alay-hi’s-salaam). Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the Wasi (the Successor, inheritor of the Prophet’s authority) and the only person born inside the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. For all Shi’a Muslims, Hazrat Ali (a.s) is their first Imam, also considered as ‘asās al Imāmah’, that is, the ‘Foundation of the Imamat‘. He is considered as one of the bravest humans in the history of mankind, was the first child to recognize Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for his Prophethood.
27th Rajab – the Night of Israa and Mi’raj when Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) visited the 7-Heavens, one at a time, in a split
second. Allah Almighty in the Holy Quran clearly says, “Praise be to God Who has enraptured His servant by night from the Sacred mosque (Mecca) to the Farthest Mosque (Jerusalem).” – (17:1).
This is the most sacred events to take place in the history of Islam when a human being was chosen by the Creator of the universe to visit the world reserved for the life hereafter. Israa is an Arabic word referring to Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem – specifically, to the site of al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem – as referred to in Surah Al-Israa in the Quran. It is believed to have been followed by the Mi’raj, his ascension to heaven.
Other significant events in Rajab are the birth of Imam Mohammad al-Baqir(a.s.), Mohammad al-Taqi(a.s.), Hazrat Ali as-Asghar(a.s.), Nazr-e-Imam Jafar-us-Sadiq (a.s.). The month culminates with the beginning of Imam Hussain(a.s.) safar to Karbala via Makkah on the 28th of Rajab.
May Allah give us the ability to plant seeds of good deeds in this month of Rajab and forgive our sins – Insha’Allah !
SABIKA RIZVI
( Noida Expressway )
(For the month of Rajab)