Date of Release :28 January 2023 - 06:01

(Part Two) The Month of Rajab: the Holy Season of Self-Development and Taqwa (God- consciousness)

According to Rahyafte(the missionaries and converts website)In the name of the Inclusively Merciful, the Exclusively Merciful

Written by Zahra Gonzalez

Acts or worship particular to the holy month of Rajab

Have you ever wondered how you could get the full benefits of the blessed month of Ramadhan? Have you tried to do many of the recommended spiritual deeds of the month of Ramadhan and yet you felt as if you are still not where you are supposed to be? What is going wrong? Could it be that Allah is angry with us and so has forbidden us from partaking in His blessed banquet? Mostly likely this is not the case and the problem lies in the fact that we are not familiar with the observances that prepare us for Ramadhan month. Did you know that this spiritual preparation starts in the month of Rajab, continues through the next month, Shaban, and the first 20 days of the month of Ramadhan? And, however we spend the two previous months and the 20 days of Ramadhan month will determine how well we will benefit from the Laylatul Ghadr (Night of Determination) and Eid ul-Fitr.

Look at it like this: Let’s say that the Night of Determination and Eid ul-Fitr are like a marathon. To be able to finish the marathon with success, we have to rigorously train and prepare. We need a practical training program that can get us ready for our spiritual marathon. We need to start well in advance, too. Considering this, Allah has designated the these times to help us prepare for Lalyatul Ghadr and Eid al-Fitr, and He has given us a comprehensive training program that will guarantee our success if we faithfully and sincerely follow it.

So, let’ begin by becoming acquainted with the most spiritual time in the month of Rajab.

According to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&F), at the start of the blessed month of Rajab, Allah sends down one of His angles named Da’ie, meaning the One Who Calls. This angel, from sunset to sunrise, calls out, “How blessed are the ones who remember Allah, how blessed are the ones who obey (Allah)!

Allah the glorious will then call out, “I sit with the ones who sit with Me. I obey the ones who obey Me. I forgive the one who ask for forgiveness. This month is the month of Me and My servant, and (the month of) My mercy. So, anyone in this month who asks, I will answer them, and anyone who requests from Me, I will give them, and anyone who asks for guidance, I will guide them. And, in this month there is a line (connection) between me and my servant, so know that anyone who grasps for Me will reach Me.”

(اقبال الاعمال، ص. 628)

After reading this beautiful tradition about the special relationship between Allah and His servants, how can we not want that special relationship and how can we not give any attention to the blessed month of Rajab.

According to the traditions there are three very special nights out of the year: 1) Laylatul Ragha’ib, the first Thursday night of Rajab month; 2) the night of the 15^th of Shaban month; and 3) Laylatul Qadr.

Ragha’ib (رغاءب) is plural for abundance, never-ending blessings. On this night, the doors of Allah’s mercy are open to those who care to walk through them. The best and most important request that we should make from Allah on this night is to ask Allah to forgive our sins. Since this night is at the start of the three blessed months of Allah, what better timing to ask Allah to purify our souls, make firm our hearts and strengthen our bodies so that we can successful continue our spiritual journey to Eid-al-Ghadir (Mirza Jawad Agha Maliki Tabrizi).

According to the Mafati al-Jenna (collection of duas, ziarats, and other religious deeds) Some of the most important spiritual deeds that we can do on this night are:

1) Fasting

2) Make ghusl at sunset

3) Offer 12-rakat salat (6–two rakat salats) between the Maghrib and Isha salat. In the first rakats, recite chapter Hamd then chapter Qadr thrice. In the second rakats recite chapter Hamd then chapter Tawheed 12 times.

After the 12 rakats are completed immediately recite this dua 70 times (the following is taken from duas.org. There is also a video showing how to do the salat):

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ ٱلنَّبِيِّ ٱلامِّيِّ وَعَلَىٰ آلِهِ

Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa a’laa aaleh.

O Allah send blessings on Muhammad, the Ummi Prophet, and on his descendants.

Then go into prostration and recite 70 times and recite:

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَٱلرُّوحِ

subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’

Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirits.

Then sit erect and say 70 times:

رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَتَجَاوَزْ عَمَّا تَعْلَمُ إنَّكَ انْتَ ٱلْعَلِيُّ ٱلاعْظَمُ

rabbighfir war-ham watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zam

O Lord! Forgive, have mercy and be indulgent about that which Thou knows well, verily Thou art Sublime, Mighty.

Then go into prostration and say 70 times:

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَٱلرُّوحِ

subbooh’un quddoos rabbul malaaekate war-rooh Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirits.

Note: If for whatever reason you are not able to fast during the month of Rajab, you can recite the following duas 100 times each day in the month of Rajab:

سُبْحَانَ الْإِلَهِ الْجَلِیلِ

Sub-ha-nal-ilahil-jaleel

Glory be to the All Majestic Allah,

سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا یَنْبَغِی التَّسْبِیحُ إِلا لَهُ

Sub-ha-na man la yan-baghi at-tas-beho ila-laho

Glory be to Him other than Whom none should be glorified.

سُبْحَانَ الْأَعَزِّ الْأَكْرَم

Sub-hanal-a ‘az-zil-akram

Glory be to the All-honorable and All-dignified.

سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَبِسَ الْعِزَّ وَ هُوَ لَهُ أَهْلٌ

Sub-ha-na man lbisal-‘iz-za wa howa laho ahl

Glory be to Him Who has dressed Himself with grandeur that fits none but Him.