Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Rajab-Beginning of Spiritual Season

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi
Rajab is one of the four sacred months of Islam. It is also a month of many special days and also serves as a spirituality preparatory month along with Shaaban before Ramadan (Ramzan).It is also stated that the Holy Prophet's 'Miraj' (ascension to heaven) has also taken place on the 27th day of Rajab. For Imamis, Rajab has special attraction as their first, fifth, ninth and tenth Imams were born on this auspicious month.Another important date for Imamis is  Rajab 3rd and 28thwhile on 3rd Imam Ali Naqi was martyred,on 28th Imam Hussain had left Medina to proceed to Karbala. 
 About the importance of Rajab, the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad himself has declared ““Verily, the month of Rajab is the Great Month of Allah. No other month can be as sacred and as virtuous as this month…Therefore, if one observes fasting on one day of this month, he will bindingly win the grand pleasure of Almighty Allah and will be taken away from the displeasure of Almighty Allah, and the gates of hellfire will be closed in his face.”
Repeating Laa ilaha illAllah (There is no God but Allah) 1000 times in the entire month of Rajab strengthens our commitment of staying true to His commands. The Holy Prophet said “ if we recite it 1000 times, Allah will grant us 1000 rewards and houses in heaven. He promises so much for what takes up so little of our time”
The Prophet also said “ recite Astaghfirullahal-ladhee laa ilaaha illaa Huw, wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa atoobu ilayh (I ask forgiveness from Allah Whom there is no God besides He, and He has no partner, and I repent before Him) 400 times. The reward of that will be the same as 100 martyrs would receive)

Thus , Allah, the most beneficent and merciful, has given us Rajab as a most beautiful gift and no Muslim should let it come and go without receiving His blessings in this special month. No special reparation is required for reciting invocations recommended during the month of Rajab. While in the car, on the bus, walking to class, or cooking food – all these invocations can be recited at any place and anytime (keeping in mind, of course, what it is that we are saying). A small line of forgiveness and acceptance of deeds, for example, should be recited as much as possible during this month to derive maximum benefit from the month. Imam Jafar Sadiq has recommended a special invocation During Rajab. It starts with ‘Ya man arjoohu li kulli khayr’ and should be recited after each prayer. It is not very long and can be recited in place of the usual invocations recited after daily prayers.

The days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are given special importance in Rajab. Fasting on those three days is equal to 900 years of worship! Besides those specific days, fasting on any day of Rajab is more beneficial than in other months. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (Kazim) states, “If one observes the fast on one day in Rajab, hellfire will go away from him a distance of one year walking. One who fasts three days in Rajab is bound to win Heaven.”
It is highly recommended to fast in this month  even for one day at least. A hadith says: Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of hell will be away from him a distance of one year's journey, and whosoever fasts 3 days in Rajab, will be entitled for Paradise. There are narrations revealing that  Imam Ali  used to fast the whole month of Rajab.
There is a big reward for Sadqa and charity during Rajab.
Even for those who cannot fast, the Almighty has generously given an alternative so that they may still earn His pleasure! A small praise of Allah should be recited 100 times each day that one cannot fast. This serves as a reminder of His constant presence and of our goal to work closer towards Him. Muslims unable to fast . may give Sadaqa to the poor every day, or recite 'Subhana Ilalahil Jaleele Subhana Man la Yanbaghil Tasbeeho Illa Lahoo; Subhanal A'azzinil Akrame; Subhana Man Labisal Izza wa Howa Lahoo Ahlun.'
In Rajab, repeating Sura Al Tawheed 'Qul-ho-wallaho Ahad' or Surah Al-Ikhlas 1000 times fetches  the reward of 1000 Angels and blessings to the reciter,  his / her children, family and neighbors. It is also recommended to recite Sura Al Tawheed 'Qul-ho-wallaho Ahad' or Surah Al-Ikhlas 100 times every Friday in the month of Rajab. (This article is being posted on the eve of commencement of the holy month of Rajab with a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting in the form of Rajab an opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and oversights.References available on request. Photo courtesy Google Images).

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