Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid Al Fitr. These three months are unmatched in their importance. Praise be to the Almighty and thanks to Him for granting us yet another opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and oversights.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hh) has 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, Sha’aban my month and Ramadan 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.”
Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season. It becomes Wajib during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the months of Rajab and Sha’baan. As will be noted from the Hadith above and others to follow, fasting, be it for only one day during these months, is rewarded with untold bounties.
Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah (pbuh&hh) said that there is a day in the month of Rajab on which if a person fasts and does Qiyaamul Lail (night vigil ) on that night, he will receive rewards like a person who fasts for 100 years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights of 100 years. This night is the night of the 27th (Rajab) and the day of the 27th (Rajab). This is the day on which Hadrat Mohammad (pbuh&hh) was appointed to Messengerhood, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb Shareef page 781)
Imam Kazim (as) is reported to have said "Rajab is (the name of) a River in paradise that is whiter than milk & sweeter than honey. Allah will allow one to drink from this river if he fasts for even one day in this month. It is also a month of seeking forgiveness more than usual as Allah is forgiving & merciful during this month.
It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Shaban. Therefore, When the moon of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar) was sighted, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hh) used to read the following supplication (prayer):
"Oh Allah! Grant us blessings in the months of Rajab and Shaban and take us forth to Ramadan."
Imam Musa Al- Kadhim, 7th Shiite Innocent Imams (Pbuh) stated:
"Rajab is a great month, during which Allah multiplies the rewards of good deeds and omits the sins."
These are some useful points for this month:
Fasting
It is highly recommended to fast in this month of Rajab even for one day at least. A hadith stated by holy Prophet (PBUH&HH):
"Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of the Hell will be away from him a distance of one year’s journey, and whosoever fasts 3 days in Rajab, will be entitled for the Paradise."
Imam Ali (as) used to fast the whole month of Rajab. Many of his followers do the same.
Seeking Forgiveness (Estighfaar)
The Prophet (PBUH&HH) used to say:
Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah; He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful. It is highly recommended to repeat ‘Astaghfirullaah’.
Charity (Sadaqa)
There is a big reward for charity in the month of Rajab. Those who cannot fast may give charity to the poor every day.
Repeating ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allah’ 1000 times.
Repeating ‘Astaghfirullaaha zul jalale wal Ikraam min jamee' al zonoobe wal aathaam‘1000 times. In order to enter Ramadan in the best possible manner, one has to prepare himself in the months of Rajab and Shaban.
It has been said that Rajab is the month to sow the seeds of good actions, Shaban is the month in which we should water those seeds and Ramadan is the month in which we reap the harvest.
May Allah grant you more blessings in this month and every month to do more for the real future in the Hereafter.
Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) used to recite the following supplication, everyday, in the Month of Rajab, after Fajr and Maghrib prayers:
O he from whom I ask for and expect fulfillment in every good (I do); and in whom I confide to seek safety from His displeasure for every evil I do!
O He who gives much in return of very little (good deeds)! O He who puts into the hands of the supplicant what he asks for, O He who (also) let needy, who does not ask for, have what he needs, though he remembers Him not, Feels compassion, and takes pity on them!
Give me as a gift good in all my objectives in this world and in the Hereafter, let me free myself from evil in all my activities in this world and in the Hereafter, because, surely, what Thou gives never goes waste or grows less, and from Thy bounties let me have more and more O the Generous Compassionate.
Prayer Upon Seeing New Moon
Prayer upon seeing the New Moon of Rajab
It is desirable to pray a 2 rakat Salat after seeing the moon of the first night of every lunar month, within 3 days & earlier the better. Also give sadqa /charity & Inshallah you will be safe throughout the month.
This salat is to be prayed exactly like the morning prayer, except make foll adjustments.
Make Niyat of Ruyatil Hilal
In first Rakat recite after Sura Fatiaah recite Sooratul Ikhlass 30 times
In the second rakat after Sura Fatiaah recite Sooratul Qadr 30 times
After Salaam Recite the following :-
There is not a "moving creature" in the earth but the sustenance thereof depends on Allah. He knows its habitation and its repository. All is in a manifest Book.
If Allah touch you with affliction, there is none that can relieve there from save He; and if He desires good for you, there is none who can repel His bounty. He makes it available to whom He wills of his bondmen. He is the Oft-forgiving, the Merciful.
Allah will vouchsafe, after hardship, ease.
That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no strength save in Allah.
Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in whom we trust!
I confide my cause unto Allah. Verily, Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen,
There is no god save Thou. Be Thou glorified! Verily, I have been a wrongdoer,
My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sends down for me.
My Lord! Leave me not alone (childless), though Thou art the best of inheritors
1st night / Day of Rajab month Special prayers
1) After seeing the first night moon the Holy Prophet (s.a.) used to recite the following:
O my Allah pour out much blessings for us in Rajab and Shaban, make us reach safely Ramadan, and take up abstinence and uprightness (fasting and prayers), careful in our speech, turning the eyes from ugliness (the unlawful); and do not let us hunger for food and thirst for water while we observe fast
O` Allah ! make the new moon appear, for us with security. Eeman, safety and Islam. (O`moon) my Lord and Your Lord is Allah the Mighty and Grand.
O` Allah! Send Your Blessings on Mohammad and his Progeny, Ameen.
2) Night of 1st Rajab Recite 20 unit prayer on the night of 1st Rajab after Maghrib prayer such that in every unit after Surah al- Hamd recite Surah Tawheed once. The reciter & his family will be saved from punishment in the grave & will cross Pul-e-siraat like lightening without any accounting.
3) Recite Ziarat Imam Hussain (as)
4) Perform Ghusl & Recite this special dua for 1st Rajab day
5) Recite 10 Rakat Salaat on the 1st of Rajab such that in every unit after Surah al Hamd, recite Surah Tawheed 3 times. A person who prays this Salaat will be saved from the squeeze of the grave.
it is recommended to raise the hands up and recite the following after completing the Salaat:
There is no god save Allah, alone without any partner.
To him is the kingdom and to Him is all praise.
He gives life and causes to die
while He is Ever-living and never dies.
In His hand is the good
and He has power over all things.
The following invocation should be said thereafter:
O Allah: verily, none can ever divest him whom You decide to give;
and none can ever give him whom You decide to deprive,
and nothing can ever stop that which You decide.
6) Recite Salaat of Salman Farsi
7) Sayyid Ibn Tawus has also mentioned, in his book of ‘Iqbal al-A`mal’, another 4 units prayer that is offered on the first of Rajab. This prayer is as follows:
four uninterrupted units—that is you do not stop after offering the first two units; ie same as you do in the obligatory four-unit prayer
At the first unit of this prayer, you may recite the Surah of al-Fatiah once, and then repeat the Surah of al-Tawhid ten times.
At the second unit, you may recite the Surah of al-Fatiah once, repeat the Surah of al-Tawhid ten times, and then repeat the Surah of al-Kafirun (No. 109) three times.
At the third unit, you may recite the Surah of al-Fatiah once, repeat the Surah of al-Tawhid ten times, and then repeat the Surah of al-Takthur (No. 102) one time.
At the fourth unit, you may recite the Surah of al-Fatihah one time, repeat the Surah of al-Tawhid twenty-five times, and then repeat the Ayat al-Kursiy (2:255) three times.
8) A Haidth says “The person who performs a two units prayer in the first night of the month of Rajab after his isha: In the first unit recites Surah al-Fatiha and Surah Inshirah and Surah al-Ikhlas three times and then in the second unit recites Surah al-Hamd and Surah al-Inshirah, Surah al-Ikhlas and Surah Al-Falaq and Surah al-Naas one time each and then performs the rest of the Sàalat with the Tashahhud and Salaam and then says thirty times:
There is no god save Allah.
&repeated thirty times:
O Allah, (please do) send blessings to Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad.
..all of his previous sins will be forgiven and he will be just as that person who was born from his mother’s womb with no sins on his record.”
9) Imam Ali ibne Abi Taalib (A.S.) had advised the faithful to recite the following supplications tonight after Ishaa prayers;
O my Allah I beseech Thee in the name of “Verily Thou art absolute sovereign; verily Thou has total control over all things; verily that which Thou wills, in all matters, takes place”. O my Allah I turn to Thee through Thy Prophet Muhammad, who came upon the earth from above with mercy (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children). O Muhammad, O Messenger of Allah, through you I turn to Allah, your Lord and my Lord, to make progress and succeed in my efforts. O my Allah, for the sake of Thy Prophet, Muhammad, and the Imams, from his Ahlul Bayt (blessings of Allah be on him and on them) help me to secure success in my activities.
10. Commence the Regular /Daily rituals for rajab esp. the 2 unit prayer at no 9
11. Prayer for New month
Recite: Ziyaraat of Imam Hussein (a.s) on 1st & 15th Rajab
Night of Wishes: The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, that these prayers are Means of forgiveness and On the first night in our grave,, the Almighty will send the reward off this prayer in the best,, enlightened and eloquent form.. When inquired,, will reply,, ‘‘My Beloved,, glad tidings to you that you have found salvation from every hardship and horror..’’ When asked,, ‘‘Who are you?’’ ‘‘By God I haven't seen any one more beautiful than you,, I haven't heard a word sweeter than yours,, or a fragrance better than you?’’ In reply,, ‘‘I am,, that prayer which you offered on the eve off the first Friday of the month of Rajab. I have come to you,, to be your companion in this loneliness,, to remove from you your fright and horror.. Be lest assured that my shelter will be with you until the blowing off the Horn off the Day off Judgment..’’
Lailatul Raghaib and its Rituals
Lailatul Raghaib & first Thursday of Rajab
It is most important, however, that none of you should neglect the First Friday in Rajab, for it is the night that the angels call the Night of [the Granting of] Wishes [Lailat ar-Ragha'ib]. This is because, by the time the first third of the night has elapsed, there will not be a single angel still at large in the heavens, nor in any region of the earth bar one. They will all be gathered together in the Ka'ba and the area immediately surrounding it.
Allah (Exalted is He) will condescend to notice that they have assembled there, and He will say: "My angels, ask Me for whatever you wish!" Their response to this will be: "Our Lord, the request we wish to make is that You grant forgiveness to those who faithfully keep the fast in Rajab," whereupon Allah (Exalted is He) will tell them: "That I have already done!"
It is related that the person who recites Surah-al Yaseen before going to bed & prayer -Lailatul Raghaib will be saved from the terror of the grave.
The first Friday night of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib. Prophet Mohammad (pbuhh) used to fast on the first Thursday & between Maghrib & Isha recite 12 unit prayers in six sets of 2 units.
In every unit after surah al Hamd recite 3 times Surah al-Qadr & 12 times Surah an Ikhlaas. After salam recite 70 times:
O Allah send blessings on Muhammad, the Ummi Prophet, and on his descendants.
Then go into sajdah & recite 70 times:
Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirts.
Then sit erect & say 70 times:
O Lord! Forgive, have mercy and be indulgent about that which Thou knows well, verily Thou art Sublime, Mighty.
Then go into sajdah & say 70 times:
Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirts.
Night of 7th Rajab
Night of 7th Rajab
The Holy prophet (pbuh&hh) says that if a person recites 4 unit prayers on the night of 7th rajab, (such that in each unit after Surah al Hamd recites Surat at Tawheed thrice, Surah alFalaq once, Surah an Naas once. After finishing prayers recites 10 Salwaat &10 times Tasbeehate Arba’).
Allah will offer him shelter under the Arsh, & give him reward of a person fasting in the month of ramdan. Till the time he finishes the prayers, the angels pray for his forgiveness. Allah will ease the pangs of death on him & save him from the squeeze in the grave. He will not die unless he sees his place in Paradise, & will be safe from the hardships of Qiyamat.
All glory be to Allah;
all praise be to Allah;
there is no god save Allah;
and Allah is the Greatest
Salwaat- O Allah, (Please) send blessings to Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad,
The reference for this 4 unit prayer is in Iqbal al-A'maal of Sayyid ibn Tawus vol. 2 p. 261 where he mentions:
10 salawaat and the tasbihaat are to be recited after the completion of the prayer & not in the prayer itself.
On the last day of Rajab recite Salaat of Salman-e-Farsi
Observe Fast on 28, 29 and 30. Understand Importance of Month of Shaban & its 1st day
10 units prayers Pray in 5 sets of 2 units each. In every unit recite Sura Faatihah once, Sura Ikhlaas 3 times & Sura Kafiroon 3 times.
There is no god save Allah, no one other than him; sovereignty belongs to HIM. All praise is for HIM alone, gives life, puts to death, (because) HE is everliving, Immortal; in His hand is the good He is able to do all things
After this recite:
Blessings of Allah be on Muhammad and on his purified children. There is no power, nor strength, save with Allah.
Salaat of Salman Farsi (the noble companion ) 3 times =First / Middle-15 / End of month
Hadrat Salmaan narrates that the Beloved of Allah, Hadrat Muhammad (SAW) said "O Salmaan, there is no Mumin (True Believer) and Muminah (Truly Believing Female) who performs 30 unit in the month of Rajab (10 units on 1st, 10 units on 15th & 10 units last day) and in each unit recites Surah Al Faatihah once, Surah Al-Ikhlaas 3 times, and Surah Al Kafiroon 3 times that Allah does forgive them their sins and bestows rewards upon them as upon a person who has fasted a whole month. He becomes among those who will be steadfast in their salaat in the year which is to come. For him the deeds of the day is equal to that of the martyr. He will be raised with the Martyrs of the Holy Battle of Badr. For him is written for the fast of each day, one year's worship. His station is raised 1000 times higher.
If he fasts the entire month of Rajab and he performs this (Above) Salaat, Allah will give him salvation from the Hell Fire, make Waajib for him, His Paradise and bestow His Nearness upon him. Hadrat Jibreel informed me "O Muhammad this is the sign between you and the Mushrikeen (Polytheists) and the Munaafiqeen (Hypocrites) because the Munafiq does not perform this Salaat."
10 units on the first of it (month of Rajab) and in each unit, recite Surah Al-Faatihah once, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice and after you do your Salaam (at the end of each 2 units) raise your hands and say:
There is no god save Allah, alone without any partner. To him is the kingdom and to Him is all praise. He gives life and causes to die while He is Ever-living and never dies. In His hand is the good and He has power over all things.
"There is no God but Allah, The One Who has no partners. To Him belongs all His kingdom and all the praise, Who created life and death and Who is Alive without Death. From His hands (only) good is done and Who has Power over everything.
The following invocation should be said thereafter:
O Allah: verily, none can ever divest him whom You decide to give; and none can ever give him whom You decide to deprive, and nothing can ever stop that which You decide.
Dearest Allah, no one can stop what You bestow and no one can give what You prevent. There is no one who can profit us except You the August among all. Then spread your hands over your face.
In the middle of the month 15 Rajab perform similar 10 unit and in each unit recite Surah Al Faatihah once, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice, and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice and after you do your salaam (at the end of each 2 units) raise your hands towards the heavens and say:
There is no god save Allah, alone without any partner.
To him is the kingdom and to Him is all praise.
He gives life and causes to die
while He is Ever-living and never dies.
In His hand is the good
and He has power over all things.
Then recite:-
The Lord Who is One, One and Only, Singular, and Besought by the all.
He has betaken neither a wife nor a son.
Then spread your hands over your face
At the end of the month, similar 10 unit. In every unit recite Surah Al Faatihah one, Surah Al Ikhlaas thrice and Surah Al Kafiroon thrice. After you do your salaam, raise your hand towards the heaven and say:
There is no god save Allah, alone without any partner.
To him is the kingdom and to Him is all praise.
He gives life and causes to die
while He is Ever-living and never dies.
In His hand is the good
and He has power over all things.
Then recite
May Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and upon his Family, the Immaculate.
There is neither might nor power save with Allah, the Most High, the All-great.
And the blessing of Allah be upon the Master Muhammad and upon his pure progeny and there is no power greater than that of Allah Who is the Greatest in Might. Then, one should pass the hands over the face and submit his requests
Your Supplication will be accepted and Allah will create 70 trenches between you and the Hell fire, the distance between each trench will be like it is between Heaven and Earth and written for you will be freedom from Fire of Hell, and from crossing the Bridge of Siraat."
When the Prophet (saw) had finished, I fell down in prostration, weeping out of gratitude towards Allah for the abundance of the rewards.
Note: Salat is in pairs of 2 unit, doing the salaam after each pair. This way we do 10 unit in 5 pairs and the supplication after the salaam of the fifth pair. Allah and his beloved know the best, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb Shareef Page 756 - 770).
Reciting this supplication: "Yaa Man Arjoho Le Kulle Khair"
The following supplication is recommended after the daily obligatory prayers in the month of Rajab. The supplication, according to Shaykh `Abbas Qummi in Mafateehul Jinaan has been taught by Imam Ja`far as-Sadiq (a.s.). Sayyid Ibn Tawus has narrated that Muhammad ibn Dhakwan—known as ‘al-Sajjad’ due to his remarkable, long prostration during which he used to weep so heavily that he lost his sight—asked Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (a.s), saying, “May Allah accept me as ransom for you! We are now in Rajab; please teach me a supplication due to which Almighty Allah may help me.” Hence, the Imam (a.s) asked him to write down the following dua:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and his household.
O He from whom I can hope for all goodness And I am safe from His anger at every evil.
O He who gives a lot in exchange of a little.
O He who gives to one who asks Him.
O He who gives to one who does not ask Him and does not know Him,
Out of His affection and mercy.
Give me, for my request is only to You alone, All the good of this world and all the good of the Hereafter.
Keep away from me, for my request is only to You alone, All the evil of this world and the evil of the Hereafter. For indeed it is not diminishing what is given by You. Increase (for) me from Your bounty, O The Generous.
(Then the 6th Imam held his beard in his left hand and gave a movement to the index finger in his right hand saying :)
O The Sublime and The Distinguished,
O The Bountiful and The Magnanimous,
O the Gracious and the Mighty,
Save my grey hairs of the beard from the fire (of Hell).
Common mistakes while reciting the above dua'a:
The dua (yaa man arjoohu li kulli khayr) is commonly recited after prayers during this month. Many people have unknowingly misinterpreted the tradition accompanying the dua and make these common mistakes:
- The tradition says to hold your beard in your left hand while moving the index finger of your right hand. It doesn't say to move your hand or your arm. Swinging your arm around left and right doesn’t fit with what the tradition says. Instead, keep your arm and hand steady and still and move only your pointing finger back and forth.
- The narration actually says that the Imam (a.s.) held his beard and moved his finger throughout the whole dua, not just the part that begins with (ya dhal jalaali wal ikraam). This can be proven by carefully examining the whole tradition.
- Women are exempted from the accompany rites and can simply recite the dua while lifting their hands towards the sky as is typical when asking from Allah.
Ziarat Rajabiyah
Sahifa Mahdi (atfs) Supplication No. 7 Ziarat Rajabiyah
This Ziarat is to be recited when visiting sacred places in the month of Rajab. Abu Qasim Ibn Ruh said "Anyone who recites this Ziarah in any of the Ziarat places of Ahlulbayt(as), his requests will be granted & all his supplications for Religion & this world, would be accepted" Refrences: Misbaahul Mutahajjid 821 Misbahu Zzair 493 Al Mizaarul Kabeer 203
All praise be to Allah Who has allowed us to visit the shrine of His Saints in Rajab
and has made obligatory upon us their rights that are obligatory;
and may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad, the divinely selected,
and upon his Successors, the doors to Him.
O Allah: as You have allowed us to visit their shrines, please do fulfill for us the promises that You have made with them;
and include us with them
and do not include us with those whom shall be prevented from drinking from the (Divine) Pool in the abode of eternity and perpetuity.
And peace be upon you all.
I have turned my face towards you and directed to you carrying my query and need with me, which is the release of my neck from Hellfire
and the settlement with you in the Abode of Settlement,
with your pious adherents (Shi`ah).
And peace be upon you all for that you persevered in patience. Now how excellent is the final home!
I hereby beg you and put my hope in you as regards the matters in which you have the right to act and recompense.
Truly, through you only are the hopeless restored (to good condition)
and through you only are the ailed healed
and that which the wombs absorb and that which they grow.
Verily, I have full faith in your Secret
and I am fully submissive to your words
and I thus ask you by Allah to settle, respond to, give success to, and set aright all my needs and all my affairs towards you.
Peace be upon you from one who bids you farewell and puts all his needs with you
praying Allah for another visit to you since his hope is never cut off from you.
I also pray Him to make my departure successful to a productive place, a fruitful area,
comfort, and luxurious up to the befalling of death;
and also [I pray Him] for the best destiny and abode in the Eternal Bliss,
the affluent living, the perpetual fruit, the drinking from the pure drink
and the divine spring whose drink is refreshing and thirst-quenching that is never bored or fed up.
Allah’s mercy, blessings and salutations be upon you incessantly until I return to your presence
and win the honor of visiting you again
and the honor of being resurrected with your group.
Allah’s mercy, blessings, benedictions, and salutations be upon you,
for Allah alone is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!
Recite this supplication: Dua asaluka sabr al shakreen
Dua asaluka sabr al shakreen
In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful
O` Allah! I ask from You forbearance of the grateful and (practice of) actions of the fearful of You and Conviction of the devotees to Your worship.
O` Allah! Lofty and Grand you are and I am Your bondman, unlucky and indigent and You are self-sufficient and praise-worthy I am Your worthless bondman.
O` Allah! Bestow Your blessings on Mohommad and his progeny and favour me in my ignorance and with Your might in my weakness O` the and Mighty.
O` Allah I Bless Mohammad and the successors from his Progeny and be You sufficient for me in my worries about the Worldly affairs and those of the Hereafter O` the Most Merciful.
O` Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhommad and his Progeny, Ameen.
al mawlodain fe rajab
In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.
O` Allah I ask You in the name of two grand personalities born in month of Rajab-Mohammad the second of Ali and his son Ali ibne Mohammad.
I seek Your best nearness through both of them. O from Whom good is sought and from Him is asked what He has.
I ask You like a Sinner Confessing his sins which have completely covered him and whose unsound character has bound him down. His bad habits and vices have therefore become protracted. He seeks from You, pardon, a good return to You, forgiveness of his Sins, protection from hell fire and amnesty of his misdeeds for You are O` my Lord! his great hope and worthy of confidence.
O` Allah! I ask You in the name of Your noble affairs and lofty resources to cover me in this year with Your vast Mercy and with Your well-spread bounties and grant me a convincing soul till my descent into the grave and its final destination, where it shall meet its fate.
O` Allah! Send Your Blessings on Mohammad and his Progeny, Ameen.