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"Astagfirullahallad’ee
laa ilaaha illaa huwa wah’dahoo laa shareeka lahoo wa atoobu
ilayh"
(I
ask forgiveness of Allah, who is “There is no god save He
and no other: has no partner; and I turn and repent to
Him")
Allah
shall forgive and have mercy on him who recites the above dua
at least 100 times in the month of Rajab, which is one of the
four months declared sacred by Allah (swt) in the Holy Quoran.
Rajab
marks the beginning of the spiritual season of 3 months for
Muslims ending with Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadhan. It has
been narrated that the month of Rajab is next to none in its
superabundant favours and benefits, reverence and sanctity as
it is linked to the Almighty Allah (swt), as Shaaban is the
the Holy Prophet ('s) and as Ramadhan is to the Muslim Ummah.
Whosoever fasts just one day in the month of Rajab receives
Allah’s blessings. (Shaykh Abbas Qummi, 1999, pg.255)
The
Holy Prophet ('s) has said:
“Rajab is a great month of Allah, unmatched by any other
month in the respect and significance (accorded to it); war
with the infidels during this month is prohibited; Verily,
Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’aban my month and Ramadan the
month of my Ummah; whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab
will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in
heaven); the wrath of Allah shall be distanced and a door of
the Hell shall be closed.” (Duas.org; http://www.duas.org/rajabmth.htm
15th August 2004)
A
hadith narrated from Aba al-Hasan from Imam Musa al-Kadhim
('a)
states:
“Rajab
is the name of a river in Paradise whose whiteness if greater
than that of milk, and whose sweetness is greater than that of
homey. He who fasts one day in the month of Rajab, Allah
Glorious and Great, will give him a drink from this river.”
(Al-Mubin.org; http://www.al-mubin.org/hadith23.htm,
15th August 2004)
In
a lengthy tradition, which can be found in Thawaab al-A'maal
wa Iqaab al-A'maal (new print), Page 115 to 124, the Prophet
('s)
narrated the specialities and favours that would be showered
upon a person who fasted during this month of Rajab and for
every day he fasted, a different favour and bounty would
be graced upon him.
Our
Prophet ('s) stated that if a person were to fast one day in
this month for the belief and hope of reward from Allah (swt),
then he would have earned the pleasure of Allah (swt) and the
fast of that one day would put out the anger of Allah (swt)
and would cause the doors of the hellfire to be closed for
him. If the entire land were to be filled with gold
and that gold was to be spent in the way of Allah (swt), then
even this act would not add up to the bounties of fasting just
one day. There is not a single thing in the
world that would perfect that person's reward except for good
(from Allah (swt)) as long as he was sincere to Allah (swt)
(in has fasting). When the evening time comes, ten of
that person's prayers would be granted, and if he were to
supplicate for anything of the worldly life, Allah (swt)
would give it to him, and if it were not given to him, then Allah
(swt) would preserve that which is greater (than what he
supplicated for) and that which the friends, lovers
and chosen ones of Allah have prayed to him for. (Al-Mubin.org;
http://www.al-mubin.org/hadith23.htm,
15th August 2004).
Hadrat
Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Holy Prophet of Allah ('s)
said that there is a day in the month of Rajab on which if a
person fasts and does Qiyaamul Lail (night vigil) on that
night, he will receive rewards like a person who fasts for 100
years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights of 100 years. This
night is the night of the 27th (Rajab) and the day of the 27th
(Rajab). This is the day on which Hazrat Muhammad ('s) was
appointed to Messengerhood. (Duas.org; http://www.duas.org/rajabmth.htm,
15th August 2004. “Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb Shareef”.
pg 781).
Hadrat
Salmaan narrates that the Prophet of Allah Hazrat
Muhammad said "O Salmaan, there is no Mumin (True
Believer) and Muminah (Truly Believing Female) who performs 30
Raka'ah in the month of Rajab and in each Raka'ah recites
Surah Al Faatihah once, Surah Al-Ikhlaas 3 times, and Surah Al
Kafiroon 3 times that Allah does forgive them their sins and
bestows rewards upon them as upon a person who has fasted a
whole month. He becomes among those who will be steadfast in
their salaat in the year, which is to come. For him the deeds
of the day are equal to that of the martyr. He will be raised
with the Martyrs of the Holy Battle of Badr. For him is
written for the fast of each day, one year's worship. His
station is raised 1000 times higher” (Duas.org; http://www.duas.org.
15th August 2004)
The
Sacred month of Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic
lunar calendar and as a prelude to the month of Sha'ban and
Ramadan, when the Holy Prophet ('s) sighted the moon of Rajab,
he used to pray to Allah in the following words:
“O my Allah pour out much blessings for us in Rajab and
Shaban, make us reach safely Ramzan, and take up abstinence
and uprightness (fasting and prayers), careful in our speech,
turning the eyes from ugliness (the unlawful); and do not let
us hunger for food and thirst for water while we observe
fast” Duas.org; http://www.duas.org/rajabaamaal.htm,
15th August 2004)
"O
Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us,
and let us
reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to
Ramadan, so that we
may benefit from its merits and blessings)." (Mufti Taqi
Usmani, http://members.lycos.co.uk/sep2002/THEMONTHOFRAJAB.htm,
15th August 2004)
Some
of us also may wish to ease our sufferings at death. It is
recommended from Shaikh Sadooq who narrates from Imam Jafar
as-Sadiq ('a) that he said:
“For
the person who fasts on the last day of the month of Rajab,
Allah will save him form the after effects of death.”
Fasting
on the 24th Rajab also holds special rewards [Qummi, Shaikh
Abbas (1999), pg 32]
The
Holy Prophet [S.W.S.] said that is a person recites four unit
(Rak’at) Namaz on the night of the 7th Rajab in a manner
that in each unit (Rak’at) after Surah al-Humd, recites
thrice Surah at-Tawheed once, Surah al-Falaq, and once Surah
an-Naas. After finishing the Namaz, sends “Salawat” on us
and recites ten times "Tasbeehate Arba." [Qummi,
Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 32]
It is also recommended to recite 8 unit (Rak’at) Namaz of
the night of 22nd Rajab after Surah-al-Humd recite 7 times
Aurah at-Tawheed. After ending Namaz, recite 10 times "Salawat"
and 10 times "Istighfar"[Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999),
pg 33](M.Al-Zahra “Preparing for Eternal Life” Ease Your
Suffering at Death; http://www.victorynewsmagazine.com/PreparingForEternalLife.htm,
15th August 2004)
Imam
Jaa’- far As Saadiq ('a) used to recite the following
dau’a, everyday, in the month of Rajab, after Fajr and
Maghrib prayers:
“O
He from whom I ask for and expect fulfillment in every good (I
do); and in whom I confide to seek safety from His displeasure
for every evil I do!
O He who gives much in return of very little (good deeds)!
O
He who puts into the hands of the supplicant what he asks for,
O He who (also) let needy, who does not ask for, have what he
needs, though he remembers Him not,
Feels compassion, and takes pity on them!
Give me as a gift good in all my objectives in this world and
in the Hereafter,
Let me free myself from evil in all my
activities in this world and in the Hereafter, because,
surely, what Thou gives never goes waste or grows less,
And
from Thy bounties let me have more and more,
O the Generous
compassionate!”( Duas.org;
http://www.duas.org/rajab3.htm)
Insy’Allah,
all of our prayers and our fasts will be accepted and received
by the Almighty Allah (swt) and may we please Him.
Finally,
in this sacred month, several important dates need to be
mentioned:
1st-
Mawled Imam
Mohammad Al-Baqir ('a)(disputed date)
2nd- Mawled Imam
Ali Al-Naqi Al-Hadi ('a)
3rd- Martyrdom Imam
Ali Al-Naqi Al-Hadi ('a)
10th- Mawled Imam
Mohammad Al-Taqi Al-Jawad ('a)
13th- Mawled Amirul
Momineen Ali ('a)
14th- Birth of Prophet Ibrahim ('a) ( according to another
source 1st Zhul Hajjah)
14th- Wafat Lady
Zaynab ('a) (according to another source 15th Rajab,
16th Zhul Hajjah)
15th- Wafat Lady
Zaynab ('a) (according to another source 14th Rajab,
16th Zhul Hajjah)
15th- Martyrdom Imam
Jafar As-Sadiq ('a) (according to other sources 12th
Rabi ul Awal, 15th or 25th Shawwal)
25th- Martyrdom Imam
Musa Al-Kazim ('a)
26th- Wafat Abu Talib (r.a) (according to another source 7th
Ramadan)
26th- Night
of Mia-Raaj
28th- Imam Hussain ibn Ali ('a) left Medina for Kerbala
(Maryam’s
Lunar Calendar Events;
15th August 2004)
Please
refer to the articles below the references if you wish to do
further reading.
May
Allah (swt) send blessings on Prophet Mohammad and his chosen
progeny ('a).
The
first Friday night of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib.
Forgiveness
of a great many sins. Safety from the troubles of the
first night in the grave, and shelter on the Day of
Resurrection, after the Trumpet is blown. The Prayer will take
the shape of a fine, smiling person, and he will enter the
grave of one who performed it, with the following words:
“My
dear friends, good news for you! You are safe from all
troubles!”
The
dead one will ask: “But may I know please who you are? I
have never seen a face better than yours; nor have I heard
words sweeter than the words from your tongue; nor have I
smelled a perfume more refreshing than from you!”
“My
dear, I am the act which you performed on that particular
night, month and year, and in that particular country. I have
come tonight into your grave to reward you, and to remove your
feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. And when the siren on
the Day of Judgment will be heard, will take you out, I will
provide you a cool cover over your head. So, be full of joy.
No goodness will be denied to you.”
It
is related that the person who recites Surah-al Yaseen before
going to bed & before Namaaz -e -Lailatul Raghaib will be
saved from the terror of the grave.
Hazrat
Muhammad (saws) used to fast on the first Thursday &
between Maghrib & Isha recite
12
Rak’at namaz in six sets of 2 units. In every Rak’at after
surah al Hamd recite 3 times Surah al-Qadr & 12 times
Surah an Naas. [or as per other sources, Surah-e-ikhlas]
[1]
After salam recite 70 times:
اَللّـهُمَّ
صَلِّ
عَلى
مُحَمَّد
النَّبِيِّ
الاُْمِّيِّ
وَعَلى
آلِهِ،
Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa
a’laa aaleh.
[2] Then go into sajdah & recite 70 times:
ُ
س
بُّوحٌ
قُدُّوسٌ
رَبُّ
الْمَلائِكَةِ
وَالرُّوحِ
subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’
[3] Then sit erect & say 70 times: rabbighfir war-ham
watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zeem.رب
اغفر
وارحم
وتجاوز
عما تعلم
انك انت
العلي الا
عظم
[4] Then go into sajdah & say 70 times:
سُبُّوحٌ
قُدُّوسٌ
رَبُّ
الْمَلائِكَةِ
وَالرُّوحِ
subbooh’un quddoos rabbul malaaekate war-rooh’
Last
day of Rajab.
For the person who fasts on the last day of Rajab, Allah will
save him from the after effects of death.
References:
Al-Mubin.org;
http://www.al-mubin.org/hadith23.htm,
15th August 2004. “Thawab al-A’maal” (New Print), pg.
114, Section of Fasting of the Month of Rajab, Hadith 2).
Duas.org;
http://www.duas.org/rajabmth.htm
last retrieved-15th August 2004
M.Al-Zahra
“Preparing for Eternal Life” Ease Your
Suffering at Death; http://www.victorynewsmagazine.com/PreparingForEternalLife.htm,
15th August 2004)
Mufti
Taqi Usmani; http://members.lycos.co.uk/sep2002/THEMONTHOFRAJAB.htm,
15th August 2004)
Shaykh
Abbas Qummi, 1999, “Supplications, Prayers and Ziarats. Call
on Me, I answer You”. Ansariyan Publications, Qum Iran.
pg.255
Shaykh
Abbas Qummi, English translation of "Manazelul
Akherah"
Victory
News Magazine; http://www.victorynewsmagazine.com
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