Rajab is the 7th month of Hijri calendar. It’s meaning is to respect and also to remove. Rajabi is one of the 4 most sacred months in Islam, others are Dhul-Qa’da, Dhul-Hajj, Al-Muharram & Shaban. The month of the birth of Asad Ullah-Hazrat e Ali Al Murtaza RA is also Rajab. 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)

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.”

Rajab is known as the month of Allah Almighty. There is a great significance of the month of Rajab in the sight of Allah (SWT). The month of Rajab is the key to the opening of the month of blessings and goodness. Seeking Forgiveness, Istaghfaar in the moth of Rajab has tremendous importance. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say: “Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT); He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful. It is highly recommended to repeat ‘Astaghfirullaah wa as-aluhut tawbah”.

The most important event in the Islamic history which took place on this sacred month, on 27th of Rajab is the night of Isra or Shab e Miraj. In the night of Isra Prophet Muhammad (SAW) visited the heavens in just a second. In the Holy Quran, it is mentioned in these words: “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Quran, 17:1)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says about the importance of Rajab in these words, “In Paradise, there is a canal named Rajab. Its water is whiter than milk, cooler than ice and sweeter than honey. The one who observes even a single fast in Rajab, he/she will be entitled to drink its water.”

The Holy month of Rajab is a sacred month and one should avail the opportunity to reap as many benefits as possible. Worshipping Allah Almighty during the month can help you gain tremendous rewards and these rewards can be gained by simply reciting the Holy Quran and observing voluntary fasting.

Rajab is the path that leads to Ramazan, a pre-Ramazan as for as its blessings and its sanctity are concerned. May Allah SWT help us all to prepare ourselves for the upcoming holy month of Ramazan, as it is the best savior against all sins that we commit consciously or unconsciously. As prophet SAW said about Ramadan. “whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Imam Bukhari).