The moon shines as Rajab Begins 

A full moon ahead, its sheen sending silver shafts of rays, not only mesmerizing its spectators but also marking the advent of a new month- a month known for its sanctity and sacredness, the holy month of Rajab.

Alas, it’s sad that not many of us are aware of the blessings of this month and unfortunately let this month pass away as any other, yet it’s not too late to enrich our knowledge and resolve to accomplish our ambitions.

The month of Rajab is one of the sacred months of which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”

[Al-Tawbah 9:36]

Therefore, the sacred months are: Rajab, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram.

Al-Bukhaari (4662) and Muslim (1679) narrated from Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan. 

These months are called sacred for two reasons:

1-     Because fighting therein is forbidden unless initiated by the enemy

2-     Because transgression of the sacred limits therein is worse than at other times.

Hence Allah has forbidden us to commit sins during these months, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Wrong not yourselves therein”

[Al-Tawbah 9:36]

Although committing sins is haraam and forbidden during these months and at other times, in these months it is more forbidden.

Al-Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) said (p. 373):

“In the phrase “wrong not yourselves therein”, the pronoun may be understood as referring to twelve months. Allah states that He has made them a measure of time for His slaves, which they may use for worshipping Him, and thank Allah for His blessings, and they serve the interests of His slaves, so beware of wronging yourselves therein.

The pronoun may also be understood as referring to the four sacred months, and this forbids them to wrong themselves in those months in particular, as well as it being forbidden to do wrong at all times, because it is more forbidden at this time, but it is worse at this time than at others.”

Therefore, we comprehend the prominence of this month i.e. were you to transgress in this month, verily you may be punished more than at other times.

Also, the sanctity of this month is such, that we are rewarded more than at other times for doing good.

Hence, don’t you think we should make it incumbent on ourselves to do more good with the intention of being rewarded more and yet remain within our boundaries and not indulge in bid’aah (innovations).

Indeed, we should thank our Rabb, The Most Merciful for granting the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with such opportunities.

So, dear friends, let’s prepare ourselves for this month, let’s purify our intentions, abstain from transgression, desist from committing bid’aah, spread the message, enrich our and others knowledge with regards to knowing about this month.

However, one shouldn’t neglect those deeds that have been made obligatory on us (such as Salah (prayer)) in the quest of doing the supererogatory (nawafil) deeds

We beg Allah to guide us and help us.

Ameen

Bint Ayesha

Writer, AAT