Bismillah, all praise and thanks to the Almighty. Blessings and salutations to the prophet and all his family and companions as well as those who follow in his footsteps.
Rajab is considered one of the esteemed months of Allah and is one of the four months known as the haram months – the sacred months – as proclaimed by Allah, Himself.
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٣٦
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong one another during these months. And together fight the polytheists as they fight against you together. And know that Allah is with those mindful [of Him].”
[at-Taubah 9:36]
The Prophet ﷺ explained the four months mentioned in the verse in the hadith. He stated: “Time has continued to flow as it did when God created the earth and the heavens. There are twelve months in a year, and three of them in a row, Zulqaedah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and Rajab Mudhar, which fall between Jumada and Sya’ban, are haram (respected).” – Muttafaqun alaih.
The reason for naming the month of Rajab as Rajab Mudhar is that the Mudhar tribe held this month in high esteem and did not transgress beyond it to another month, unlike other Arab tribes who did so for the sake of waging battles.
These revered months demand reverence by refraining from sin and oppression, as any act that leads to one’s transgression is, in fact, an act of oppression. While avoiding sin and oppression is a perpetual obligation, the level of prohibition and gravity of sin amplifies during these sacred months.
The same verse continues with Allah saying, “So do not wrong yourselves during it (the four months).”
Imam Qatadah affirmed that oppression committed during the haram months is a greater transgression than oppression committed at any other time.
Although sin is always significant, God may elevate the severity of certain sins according to His will. Therefore, every Muslim should abstain from all forms of minor and major sins, disputes, social media insults, belittling others, and the like.
As for the benefits of the month of Rajab, there is no evidence that specifically states its fadilat. Ibn Hajar said, “There is no authentic evidence that can be used to argue regarding the fadilat of the month of Rajab, fasting on it, nor certain fasting or qiyam on a given night.”
Any purported virtue that exclusively pertains to the month of Rajab and lacks reliable authenticity should not serve as the foundation for religious practices.
The same applies to the Hadith which mentions the Prophet ﷺ praying:
اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان
This Hadith is not confirmed from the Prophet ﷺ due to its very weak chain of narration.
Imam Abu Hatim said, “His hadith should not be used as an argument.”
The act of supplicating to Allah using the aforementioned words is permissible, and we may implore Him to grant us the chance to experience Ramadan and perform righteous deeds during it. However, this supplication is not confirmed to be from The Prophet ﷺ.
Although there is no specific evidence regarding the virtues of the month of Rajab, we are encouraged to make this month a period of righteousness by abstaining from sins and evil acts towards oneself or others.
Ibn Abbas said, “Subsequently, Allah designates the four months as sacred, thereby intensifying the gravity of sin, but also increasing the rewards of virtuous deeds.”
The goodness referred to pertains to any act of worship that leads to the reward and pleasure of Allah. It should also be noted that this month serves as a preparatory period for Ramadan. Imams should remind mosque congregants of the approaching month of Ramadan and pray for strength for Muslims to worship during it.
May this reinforce the spirit and preparation of the Muslim community for the upcoming month of Ramadan. A Muslim is allowed to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and observe the ‘White Days’ as preparation for Ramadan. However, there are no specific fasting or prayer rituals associated with the month of Rajab as there is no evidence supporting such practices, as mentioned by Ibn Qayyim: “All Hadiths regarding fasting in the month of Rajab and offering prayers during some of its nights are fabricated and false.”
If one wishes to perform Qiyamul Lail or fast, it is similar to fasting and performing Qiyamul Lail during other months. Considering that this month is one of the sacred months, one should take the opportunity to improve oneself, as the rewards for righteous deeds are greater, while the sins committed during this period also hold greater gravity. Wallahu a’lam.
Abdul Rahman Rahuni
Ustaz Abdul Rahman Rahuni. The author is a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah studying in the field of Islamic Sharia. He is currently an instructor at Sekolah Menengah Ugama Islamiah, Tawau, Sabah.
The goodness referred to pertains to any act of worship that leads to the reward and pleasure of Allah. It should also be noted that this month serves as a preparatory period for Ramadan. Imams should remind mosque congregants of the approaching month of Ramadan and pray for strength for Muslims to worship during it.