A Few Important Points Regarding the Month of Rajab

By Mln. Yusuf Ghouse

Some Significant Events Happened During Rajab

Miʿrāj – The Prophet’s miraculous heavenly ascension. According to some scholars, this took place during Rajab. The Prophet (upon him be peace) was taken through the heavens and received the gift of ṣalāh. Many scholars believe that this occurred after he visited Ṭāʾif, where the people were inhospitable. Ṭāʾif was one of the most difficult experiences for the Prophet (upon him be peace). He remained patient and Allāh honored him with Miʿrāj. With hardship surely comes ease.

The Battle of Tabūk -This occurred in Rajab of AH 9. This was the last expedition that the Prophet (upon him be peace) took part in. The enemy was strong, the distance was far, the temperature was sweltering, and the season was of the harvest (where the farmers of Madīnah made their earnings for the whole year). The enemy did not show up and no battle took place. Tabūk was thus a test in which Allāh wanted the Muslims to put Allāh and His messenger before anything else, even their conveniences. May Allāh give us the ability to also put our conveniences aside for the dīn.

Notable Deaths

ʿUmar b. ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz – Rajab, AH 101 – The great caliph and ascetic. He was extremely devout and God-fearing, and these traits dominated his rule. Though he ruled for a mere two years (99-101), justice prevailed throughout his reign and Islām flourished. He ordered the scholars to compile the ḥadīth. He is almost universally credited with being the first mujaddid (reviver of Islām).

Ḥasan al-Baṣrī – Rajab, AH 110 – The great scholar and ascetic of the Tābiʿūn. He was known for his many wise sayings. Two of them are:

ابن آدم، إنما أنت أيام، كلما ذهب يوم، ذهب بعضك

“Son of Adam! You are but a bunch of days. When a day goes by, so does part of you.”

And:

بئس الرفيقان: الدينار والدرهم، لا ينفعانك حتى يفارقاك

“What terrible companions are the dinār and dirham (currency). They do not benefit you until they part with you.”

Imām Tirmidhī – Rajab, AH 279 – The great ḥadīth scholar. He is the author of the Sunan al-Tirmidhī, one of the six famous collections of ḥadīth. He had a proverbial memory. His collection is distinguished by its wide application to life and the author’s meticulous comments. He would weep so profusely that he eventually lost his eyesight.

Things to Note

• Although the event of Miʿrāj holds great significance, there are no special practices or acts of worship to commemorate it.
• Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib is a prayer that some observe during Rajab. This practice is baseless and should be avoided (Laṭāʾif al-Maʿārif; Tabyīn al-ʿAjab; al-Maṣnūʿ).