Month of Rajab - Do's/Don'ts

[amaturrahmaan]

Bi Ismihi Ta’ala

 

Hazrat Anas Ibn Malik (Radiyallaahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would recite the following supplication when the Month of Rajab would commence:

 

 

[MUSLIM WOMAN]

 

 

Jazakallah  khair  for the reminder.

[ummtaalib]

Authenticity of the Rajab du’a

hadithanswers

 

Question

The following du’a is commonly recited at the beginning of Rajab, Is it authentic?

Some people say it’s baseless & should not be read.

 

Allahumma Barik Lana Fi Rajab Wa Shaban Wa Balighna Ramadan.

 

Answer

Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Malik (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite the following supplication when the Month of Rajab would commence:

 

اَللّٰهُمَّ  بَارِكْ لَناَ فِيْ رَجَبٍَ  وَشَعْبانَ وَبَلّغْنَا رَمَضَانْ

Allahumma baarik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa balligh-na Ramadan

 

Translation: Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.

(Shu’abul-Iman, hadith: 3534, Ibnu Sunni, hadith: 660, Mukhtasar Zawaid Bazzar, hadith: 662, also see Al-Azhkar, hadith: 549)

 

Authenticity

This hadith is classified as weak but suitable for practice.

 

To say that this du’a is baseless is exaggerate.

 

‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) said the chain is slightly weak. (Al-Adhkar, hadith: 549)

 

Hafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hambali (rahimahullah) says this narration is suitable to prove the merit of reciting this du’a -“istihbab”. Lataif, pg.172.

 

‘Allamah Muhammad Tahir Al-Fatani (rahimahullah) declares it weak and suitable to practice in this instance.  (Tadhkiratul Mawdu’at, pg.117)

 

It should be noted that weak hadiths that have du’as can be implemented.

(Mustadrak Hakim, beginning of the Chapter on Du’as & Nataijul Afkar of Hafiz Ibn Hajar, vol.5 pg.291)

 

Note: The narration states that this du’a be recited at the ‘beginning’ of Rajab.

Click here to read more on ‘what to do in Rajab & Sha’ban’

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomer

[ummtaalib]

When to recite the du’a of Rajab

hadithanswers

 

Question

When should the famous du’a for Rajab be recited?

Should it be recited throughout the month or specifically at the beginning only?

Many Imams at the Masajid even make du’a in Shaban as follows:

 

Allahumma Barik lan fi sha’ban, wa ballighna Ramadan.

Kindly explain

 

 

Answer

The Hadith states that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) would recite this du’a the the beginning of Rajab.

If someone recites the du’a on other occasions with the appropriate changes (like in your question) it would be fine, as long as it is not considered as sunnah.

 

If the congregation begin to think it as Sunnah, they should be educated.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar

[ummtaalib]

Seeking forgiveness in Rajab

 

Question

Kindly verify the following narration.

 

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

 

“Seek much forgiveness from Allah in Rajab because in every hour (of the month) Allah frees people from the fire”

 

Answer

This Hadith is recorded in Musnadul Firdaws. ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in his book on fabricated narrations. This Hadith should not be quoted.

 

(Refer: Dhaylul La-ali Al Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 617, Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2 pg. 333, Tadhkiratul Mawdu’at of ‘Allamah Muhammad Tahir Al Fatani, pg. 116. Also see Al Adab Fi Rajab, pg. 38)

 

However it has been the practice of certain seniors to seek extra forgiveness in Rajab (in general, without attaching any specific virtue). See here for more details.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

hadithanswers

[ummtaalib]

Fasting on the first three days of Rajab

 

Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

 

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

 

“Fasting the first day of Rajab compensates for the sins of three years, fasting the second day expiates two years of sins and fasting the third day expiates one year of sins, thereafter one month’s sins are expiated for each day of fasting”

 

Answer

Abu Muhammad Al Khallal (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with an extremely weak chain. The Hadith should not be quoted.

 

(Refer: Jami’us Saghir, Hadith: 5051, Faydul Qadir and At Taysir Bi Sharhil Jami ‘is Saghir. Also see Al Mughir of Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari)

 

Nevertheless, Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) has explained that in general, we are encouraged to observe additional Nafl (voluntary) fasts in Rajab.

( Al Adab Fi Rajab, pg. 30)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

hadithanswers

[ummtaalib]

There are no specific forms of salah for the 27th night of Rajab

Question

Are there any specific nafil prayers to be prayed in the night of Miraj, the 27th of Rajab?

 

 

Answer

There are no specific forms of worship for the 27th night of Rajab to be found in the authentic books of Hadith.

In fact, although some scholars have opined that Mi’raj occurred on 27th Rajab, there does exist legitimate difference of opinion on this too. See here for more

 

To specify a form of salah for this night without substantiation from the sunnah is an innovation (bid’ah).

Click here for more on this.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

hadithanswers

[ummtaalib]

The month of Rajab

 

Q: I want to ask that did the event of mi'raaj really take place on 27th of rajab? What Aa'maal should be done on that night and what is the importance of fasting on that day?

A: The month of Rajab is among the four sacred months of the Islamic year. In these four sacred months we are commanded to carry out extra ibaadaat and safeguard ourselves from committing sins. The rewards for carrying out righteous actions are increased and the sins for carrying out evil deeds are more. Hence one may observe nafil fasts, perform nafil Salaah and carry out extra ibaadaat in the month of Rajab and the other sacred months. However there is no special virtue mentioned in the Ahaadith regarding any particular ibaadat to be carried out during any specific day or night in the month of Rajab. 

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

عن علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس في قوله إن عدة الشهور عند الله اثنا عشر شهرا في كتاب الله إلى قوله منها أربعة حرم ذلك الدين القيم فلا تظلموا فيهن أنفسكم قال لا تظلموا أنفسكم في كلهن ثم اختص من ذلك أربعة أشهر فجعلهن حرما و عظم حرماتهن و جعل الذنب فيهن أعظم و العمل الصالح و الأجر أعظم (شعب الإيمان #3806)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

[ummtaalib]

Is there any special form of Ibadah for the Night of Mi'raj

 

Q. I just wanted to know if there is any special Salaah or Ibadah to do on the night of Mi’raaj?

(Question published as received)

 

A. There is no special type of Salaah or Ibadah prescribed for the night on which Mi’raj took place. There is no record that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and the Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum prescribed any special type of Ibadah on this occasion nor did they affix any significance to the date on which Mi’raj took place.

 

After the demise of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam, no one from amongst his companions is reported to have celebrated this night as an auspicious night.

This proves that the celebration of the 27th night of Rajab, being Lailatul-Mi’raj, has no basis in the Sunnah or in the practice of his noble companions. Had it been a commendable practice to celebrate this night, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and his blessed companions would have given specific directions for it.

 

Therefore, it is not a Sunnah to celebrate Lailatul-mi’raj’. We cannot declare any practice as a Sunnah unless it is established through authentic sources that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam or his noble Companions have recognized it as such, otherwise it may become a Bid’ah about which Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has given stern warning, “Whoever innovates something in our religion which is not a part of it, it will be rejected.” (Ibn Majah)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Suhail Tar Mahomed          

 

Confirmation: 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai 

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh.) 

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)