With the sighting of the crescent of Rajab, Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wa sallam) would anticipate and begin preparations for the month of Ramadhan. This is two months in advance! People \u201clive to see\u201d various accomplishments in their lives, but a Believer \u201clives for\u201d and yearns to witness sacred days like these.<\/p>\n
Rajab Du\u2019a<\/strong> Sacred Months<\/strong> Sha\u2019ban<\/strong> Du\u2019as are accepted<\/strong> Specific forms of worship<\/strong> The beginning of a new season<\/strong> With the sighting of the crescent of Rajab, Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wa sallam) would anticipate and begin preparations for the month of Ramadhan. This is two months in advance! People \u201clive to see\u201d various accomplishments in their lives, but a Believer \u201clives for\u201d and yearns to witness sacred days like these.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c71-introduction-to-islam-muslims"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nSayyiduna Anas Ibn Malik (radiyallahu\u2019anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wa sallam) would recite the following supplication when the Month of Rajab would commence:
\n\u0627\u064e\u0644\u0644\u0651\u0670\u0647\u064f\u0645\u064e\u0651 \u0628\u064e\u0627\u0631\u0650\u0643\u0652 \u0644\u064e\u0646\u0627\u064e \u0641\u0650\u064a\u0652 \u0631\u064e\u062c\u064e\u0628\u064d \u0648\u064e\u0634\u064e\u0639\u0652\u0628\u0627\u0646\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0628\u064e\u0644\u0651\u063a\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0631\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0636\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0652<\/strong>
\nAllahumma baarik lanaa fee Rajaba wa Sha\u2019bana wa balligh-naa Ramadhan
\nTranslation: Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha\u2019ban, and allow us to reach Ramadhan.
\n(Shu\u2019abul-Iman #3534, Ibnu Sunni #660, Mukhtasar Zawaid Bazzar #662, also see Al-Azhkar #549. Hafidh Ibn Rajab rahimahullah says this narration is suitable to prove the merit of reciting this du\u2019a -\u201distihbab. Lataif, pg.172)<\/p>\n
\nRajab is the second of the \u201cfour sacred months\u201d in the Islamic Calendar which are referred to as: \u201cAl-Ash-hurul hurum\u201c (Surah Tawbah, verse: 36)
\nThe others are: Zhul-Qa\u2019dah, Zhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram.
\nExplaining their significance the \u2018Ulama mention that during these months, good deeds are more virtuous and evil deeds are more detestable to Almighty Allah. (Lataiful-Ma\u2019arif, pg.163)
\nA pious person once fell ill before Rajab. He made du\u2019a to Allah that He allow him to live till Rajab (at least) because he had heard that Allah frees people from punishment in Rajab. Allah Ta\u2019ala had accepted his du\u2019a. (Latiful Ma\u2019arif, pg.173)<\/p>\n
\nAs for Sha\u2019ban, authentic Ahadith describe special significance for the 15th night. (see detailed article here)
\nRasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wa sallam) is reported to have said: \u201cCertainly Almighty Allah forgives everyone on this night besides those who ascribe partners to Him and those who harbor enmity for others\u201d.
\n(Sahih Ibn Hibban #5665, Al-Targheeb,vol.3 pg.459, Majma\u2019uz-zawaid,vol.8 pg.65 & Lataaiful-Ma\u2019arif, pg.194)
\nImam \u2018Ataa Ibn Yasar (rahimahullah)- a distinguished Tabi\u2019e- said:
\n\u201c After Laylatul Qadr, there is no other night more virtuous than the middle (15th) night of Sha\u2019ban .\u201d
\n(Ibid, pg. 197)<\/p>\n
\nImam Shafi\u2019e (rahimahullah) has stated: \u201cI have heard that du\u2019as are accepted by Almighty Allah on five nights:
\n1) The night of Jumu\u2019ah,
\n2 & 3) The nights of the two \u2018Eids,
\n4) The first night of Rajab,
\n5) The middle (15th) night of Sha\u2019ban,
\n(Lataiful Ma\u2019arif, pg. 196)
\nIn fact, the experience of people prior to Islam even, shows that Allah Ta\u2019ala would accept their du\u2019as during the month of Rajab. Imam Ibn Abi Dunya (rahimahullah) has cited several examples of this in his book: \u201cMujabu Da\u2019wah\u201d. (ibid)<\/p>\n
\nThere are no specific types of Salah etc. that are prescribed for the Month of Rajab or the 15th night of Sha\u2019ban. One may engage in whatever form of \u2018ibadah one is comfortable with. (Lataiful Ma\u2019arif, pg.168, Islamic Months by Mufti Taqi Uthmani, pgs.63 & 79)
\nThe Sahabah (radiyallahu \u2018anum) and the Tab\u2019un (rahimahumullah) would increase their Quranic recital during these months (especially in Sha\u2019ban), i.e. in preparation for Ramadhan. (Lataiful Ma\u2019arif, pg. 192)<\/p>\n
\nThe crescent of Rajab actually signals the start of a \u201cNew Season\u201d. One of hope, mercy and forgiveness for a believer. This \u201cseason\u201d only finishes three months later; on the day of Eid!
\nShaykh Abu Bakr Balkhy (rahimahullah) says:
\n\u201cRajab is a month in which we plant the seeds of good. i.e, by increasing our \u2018ibadah. In Sha\u2019ban we water them, to cultivate (and reap the rewards) in Ramadhan.\u201d
\n(Lataif, pg. 173)
\nOpportunities like these only come once a year. Fortunate are those who maximise their benefit there from.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"