Significance of Fasting in the Month of Rajab
Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the Islamic calendar. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” The merit of the month of Rajab is like the merit of the rest of the other sacred months. Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: (Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong, not yourselves in them).” (Quran, 9:36)
It is recommended to seek forgiveness in the month of Rajab. Voluntary Fasting in the sacred months, including Rajab, is also recommended. In this regard, Abu Dawud reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Observe fasting for some days in the sacred months and leave fasting for other days.” One should start doing good deeds in the double amount in order to get more rewards in the month of Rajab. The reward of good deeds multiplied in the sacred months, so it is recommended to do as many good deeds as possible. The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recommended fasting at least some days in each of the sacred months.
The Holy Month of Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer which ends with the fasting month of Ramadan and the Eid-ul-Fitr. The sacred months are unmatched in their importance. We should praise to the Almighty Allah and thanks to Him for granting us an opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and mistakes in the holy month of Rajab.
Allah Almighty has ordered the Muslims not to wrong themselves (or others), especially in the four sacred months. This is indicated by Almighty Allah’s saying in another verse of the Holy Quran: “Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them” (Quran,9: 5). The month of Rajab is the key to the months of goodness which follow it. For this reason, Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “In the month of Rajab you sow the seeds, in Shaban you irrigate them and in Ramadan, you reap the harvest.” He also said: “Rajab is like a wind, Shaban is like a cloud and Ramadan is like rain.”
Fasting in the month of Rajab brings many rewards and virtues so try to observe fast in the Rajab. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) 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, Shaban is my month and Ramadan is 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.”
May Almighty Allah give us the strength to perform good deeds in excess and shower His countless blessings on us. Ameen!
