Rajab An Important spiritual month
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 are
unmatched in their importance. Praise be to the Almighty and thanks to Him
for granting us yet another opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and
oversights.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said:
“ Rajab is a great month of Allah, 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’aban 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 shall be distanced and a door of the Hell shall be closed.”
Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season. It
becomes Wajib during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during
the months of Rajab and Sha’baan. As will be noted from the Hadith above and
others to follow, fasting, be it for only one day during these months, is
rewarded with untold bounties.
Hadrat
Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah (SAW) said that
there is a day in the month of Rajab on which if a person fasts and does
Qiyaamul Lail (night vigil ) on that night, he will receive rewards like a
person who fasts for 100 years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights of 100
years. This night is the night of the 27th (Rajab) and the day of the 27th
(Rajab). This is the day on which Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was appointed to
Messengerhood, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb Shareef page 781).
Hadrat Salmaan narrates that the Beloved of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)
said "O Salmaan, there is no Mumin (True Believer) and Muminah (Truly
Believing Female) who performs 30 Raka'ah in the month of Rajab and in each
Raka'ah recites Surah Al Faatihah once, Surah Al-Ikhlaas 3 times, and Surah
Al Kafiroon 3 times that Allah does forgive them their sins and bestows
rewards upon them as upon a person who has fasted a whole month. He becomes
among those who will be steadfast in their salaat in the year which is to
come. For him the deeds of the day is equal to that of the martyr. He will
be raised with the Martyrs of the Holy Battle of Badr. For him is written
for the fast of each day, one year's worship. His station is raised 1000
times higher.
If he fasts the entire month of Rajab and he performs this (Above) Salaat,
Allah will give him salvation from the Hell Fire, make Waajib for him, His
Paradise and bestow His Nearness upon him. Hadrat Jibreel informed me "O
Muhammad this is the sign between youand the Mushrikeen (Polytheists) and
the Munaafiqeen (Hypocrites) because the Munafiq does not perform this
Salaat."
Hadrat Salmaan says, I beseeched "O Rasoolallahtell me when and how shall I
perform this Salaat(Prayer)" He said "O Salmaan, perform 10 Raka'ah on the
first of it (month of Rajab) and in each Raka'ah recite Surah Al-Faatihah
once, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice and after you do
your Salaam (at the end of the Salaat) raise your hands and say:
"There is no God but Allah, The One Who has no partners. To Him belongs all
His kingdom and all the praise, Who created life and death and Who is Alive
without Death. From His hands (only) good is done and Who has Power over
everything. Dearest Allah, no one can stop what You bestow and no one can
give what You prevent. There is no one who can profit us except You the
August among all. "Then spread your hands over your face." In the middle of
the month perform 10 Raka'ah and in each Raka'ah recite Surah Al Faatihah
once, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice, and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice and after you do
your salaam (at the end of the Salaat) raise your hands towards the heavens
and say:
There is no God but Allah, the One who has no partners. To Him belongs all
His Kingdom and all the praise. Who created life and death and Who is Alive
without Death. From His Hands (only) good is done and Who has Power over
everything. The only God, Unique, Who has no needs . . . . . . He has no
wife and no children. Then spread your hands over your face. You perform
this Salaat at the end of the month, 10 Raka'ah. In every Raka'ah recite
Surah Al Faatihah one, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice.
After you do your salaam, raise your hand towards the heaven and say:
There is no God but Allah, The One Who has no partners. To Him belongs all
His Kingdom and all the praise. Who created life and death and Who is Alive
without Death. From His Hands (only) good is done and Who has Power over
everything. And the blessing of Allah be upon the Master Muhammad and upon
his pure progeny and there is no power greater than that of Allah Who is the
Greatest in Might". Then ask for your needs (to be fulfilled). Your
Supplication will be accepted and Allah will create 70 trenches between you
and the Hell fire, the distance between each trench will be like it is
between Heaven and Earth and written for you will be freedom from Fire of
Hell, and from crossing the Bridge of Siraat." When the Beloved of Allah,
Hadrat Muhammad had finished, I fell down in prostration, weeping out of
gratitude towards Allah for the abundance of the rewards. Note:~ We here in
Daar-ul-Ehsaan, perform this salaat every year, in pairs of 2 Raka'ah, doing
the salaam after each pair. This way we do 10 Raka'ah in 5 pairs and the
supplication after the salaam of the fifth pair. Allah and his beloved know
the best, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb Shareef Page 756 - 770).
By the Grace & Mercy of Allah the most Merciful, the Treasure which is the
Hereafter for the Mumineen is available to you through the virtues contained
in "The Virtues Of Islamic Life". Treasure these issues, file them, go back
to them and read them frequently, practice these virtuous deeds in your life
and you will find by His Blessings showered upon those who strive to reach
Him, your Imaan soaring and your heart filled with the gift of love bestowed
upon you by the One Who created you for the One who is the most Beneficent
and the most Generous and for the one He loves the most, Hazrat Muhammad
(SAW) Inshaallah Ta'la