Overview

Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic Calendar and was regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Because the month of Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha'ban, it is also deemed to be a prelude to the month of Ramadan.


The Night of Mi'raj

It is generally believed that the great event of Mi'raj (ascension of the Holy Prophet (SAW) to the heavens) took place in the night of the 27th of Rajab. Because of this, people celebrate this night as "Lailatul-Mi'raj".

However, we cannot say with absolute certainty in which night or month or year the even't of Mi'raj had taken place, as there is no certain proof that this event happened on the night of 27th of Rajab.


Celebrating the night of Mi'raj

The Prophet of Allah (SAW) never celebrated this night (the night of Mi'raj) nor instructed his Sahabah to do so.

  • There is no authenticity of Prophet (SAW) performing specific mode of worship in a night calling it the 'Lailatul-Mi'raj'.
  • After the demise of Prophet (SAW) no one of this companions is reported to celebrate this night as a night of special acts of worship.
  • There is an authentic report that Sayyidina 'Umar (RAD) used to forbid people from fasting on this day, rather compel them to eat if they had started fasting.

Of course, nafl fast is not forbidden, but fasting with the belief that it holds greater reward than a normal nafl fast is frowned upon.

Qurbani in the month of Rajab

In the days of ignorance (jahiliyyah) the Arabs used to offer the sacrifice of a goat in the month of Rajab. This sacrifice used to be called 'Atirah. In the beginning of Islam, this custom was retained, but the Muslims modified it by offering the sacrifice of 'Atirah to Allah, Finally this practice was abandoned and the Holy Prophet (SAW) prohibited the offering of 'Atirah.

  • Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RAD) reported that the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said " 'Atirah is nothing. "

Umrah in the month of Rajab

Another misconception is that Umrah in the month of Rajab is more rewarding than Umrah in anyother month. However, there are no authentic reports that the Holy Prophet (SAW) or any of his companions made a special Umrah in the month of Rajab.

Salah of 'Ragha'ib'

The Salah of Raghaib is a special mode of worship attributed by some people to the month of Rajab. According to the custom of such people, this Salah is performed in the night of the first Friday of the month of Rajab.

It is said to consist of twelve rak'ats to be performed in pairs with six salaams, and in each rak'at the surah al-qadr is recited three times followed by Surah Ikhlas.

Special distribution of bread

Another baseless practice in this month is the baking and distribution of special types of bread to friends and neighbors.
This custom comes in two forms:

  • In some communities, this custom is celebrated on the 17th of Rajab on the assumption that Sayyidna Ali (RAD) was born on the 11th of Rajab, and the 17th of Rajab was the day in which his 'Aquiqa was performed.
  • This practice is baseless because it was never proven that Sayyidna Ali (RAD) was born on the 11th of Rajab

  • A more common practice of this type is observed on the 22nd of Rajab. It is believed that the custom is designed to make 'isal-al-thawab to the soul of Sayyidna Jafar al-Sadiq (RAH)
  • All these practices have no basis at all, neither historically, nor according to the principles of Shari'ah. According to historians the date of the 22nd of Rajab has no relation to Sayyidna Jafar al-Sadiq (RAH)

Highlights

There are no authentic reports that detail when the night of Mi'raj happened.


There are many baseless practices associated with the month of Rajab.


There is no special reward for doing ibaadat during the month of Rajab.

أَخْبَرَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ رضى الله عنهما‏ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانٌ ‏"‏ ( الطبراني Anas Ibn Malik (RAD) narrates that the Prophet of Allah used to make this dua when he used to sight the moon of Rajab:
اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانٌ‏َ "O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan."(Tabrani)

Do's

  • Start preparing oneself for Ramadan.
  • Make du'a to reach the blessed month of Ramadan.

Don'ts

  • Distributing special types of breads amongst friends and neighbors.
  • Celebration on the night of Mi'raj.
  • Performing the 'Salah of Raghai'b'.
  • Performing Qurbani in the month of Rajab.