The sacred month of rajab announcing the coming of Ramadhaan.

Bismihi Ta’ala
*THE SACRED MONTH OF RAJAB ANNOUNCING THE COMING OF RAMADHAAN.* *The most important calender for us is the lunar calender. It is because the obligations of religion depend mainly on the moon. The Hajj, the fast of Ramadhaan, the Eids and the sacred months all depend on the lunar appearance. The Qur’aan speaks of it. “The number of months with Allah Ta’ala is twelve(months), so was it ordained by Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: such is the right religion. (Qur’an: 9: 36). The Beloved Prophet (SAW) has defined the names of these four months. “A year consists of twelve months. Among them are four which are sacred. These are consecutive: Zul Qa’dah, Zul Hijjah, Muharram and then RAJAB. ” (Bukhari)* *THE SANCTITY OF THESE MONTHS* *Because the sacredness of a place or a time demands more respect and virtue, then to sin on a sacred ground or during the sacred time is more severe. It is for this reason that Allah Ta’ala emphasises not to cause harm during these four Holy months. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “During these months do no harm yourselves.” (Qur’an 9:36).**During the Hajj sermon on Eid, the beloved Prophet (saw) explained the sacrament of these months: “Your blood, your goods and your honours are all sacred like the sanctity of this month (Zil Hijjah) and the sanctity of this city (Makkah)”. (Bukhari). So during these beloved months, more precautions must be taken, not to harm his neighbour by his tongue or his hands, not to take the goods or harm the honour of someone.* *VIRTUES OF FASTING DURING THE SACRED MONTHS.* *First of all one should know that the month of Rajab is not more virtuous than the other sacred months like Zil Qa’dah or Zil Hijjah or even Muharram. On the contrary, it is the fast of Muharram which is more virtuous after the fast of Ramadhaan. The Beloved Prophet (saw) said : “The best fast after that of Ramadhaan is the fast of the month of Muharram.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmizi). So it is makrooh to venerate Rajab specifically or even to specifically fast in the month of Rajab. (Ibn Majah). The beloved Prophet(SAW) also forbade to slaughter an animal to venerate this month (Tirmizi). But it is recommended to fast during this month since the Prophet had recommended those who love to fast,to fast during the sacred months (Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah). It is for this reason that some Sahabas and Tabi`eens fasted for all the beloved months. (Ibn Abi Shaibah).* حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ ، عَنْ يُونُسَ ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ ؛ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَصُومُ أَشْهُرَ الْحُرُمِ.دَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ ، وَسَلِيطٍ أَخِيهِ قَالاَ : كَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ بِمَكَّةَ يَصُومُ أَشْهُرَ الْحُرُمِ.ابن ابي شيبة عبد الرزاق قال أخبرنا الثوري عن سعيد الجريري عن أبي السليل عن رجل سماه عن أبيه عن عمه أنه أتى النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم فقال من أنت قال أنا الذي أتيتك عام الأول قال كأنك كنت أجسم مما أجد أو احسن جسما مما أرى قال ما طعمت منذ فارقتك الا ليلا فقال من أمرك تعذب نفسك ثلاث مرات قال إني أقوى قال فصم شهر الصبر ويوما من كل شهر قال إني أقوى قال فصم صوم الشهر وثلاثة أيام من كل شهر قال إني أقوى قال فصم من الحرم وأفطر مصنف عبد الرزاق *And let us also know that the Beloved Prophet (saw) never fasted a whole month, except for Ramadhaan. Our mother, hazrat Aisha (r.a) said : “I did not see the Beloved Prophet (saw) fasting for an entire month except that of Ramadhaan. And he used to fast a lot during the month of Sha’baan.” (Bukhari). On the question: “Which month can one fast entirely other than Ramadhaan?”, the Beloved Prophet (saw) replied: “If you want to fast on the other month entirely, other than Ramadhaan, then fast on Muharram. (Tirmizi, Ahmad) . So the fasts of Rajab are not more virtuous than Muharram. Infact, the Prophet (saw) avoided fasting a whole month except Ramadhaan. (Abu Dawood). So we can fast during the month of Rajab without special virtue, except that it is a sacred month. And also give up a few days as prescribed by the Sunnah.* *RAJAB* *The month of Rajab is sacred. So we must be more cautious about our words and our actions so as not to hurt anyone. In fact all the time one should not cause trouble to anyone, but the sanctity of these months amplifies the gravity of the wrongs caused to others as the Qur’an specifically mentioned it. Formely there were military truces during these months, but we know that this prescription has been abrogated (Tahawi).**It is important to note that the probable date of the Mi’raaj Shareef lies in the following months : Rabi-ul-awwal, Rabi-ul-Akhir, Rajab, Ramadhaan, Shawwal and Zil Hijjah. (Al Zurqaani). According to Allamah Abdul Haq Dehlawi, the Mi’raaj took place either in the month of Ramadhaan or during Rabi-ul-Awwal. We are aware of the opinions of seerah books that highlighted the 27th Rajab as the most probable date of Mi`raj.(Seerah-Najjaar; Raheeq Al Makhtoum) Even if it fell on the 27th Rajab, it will bring no value to its day and night and no religious importance.* *The preparation of the prestigious Ramadhaan.* *At the appearance of the moon of Rajab, the Beloved Prophet (saw) read: “Allahhumma barik lana fii rajaba wa Sha’baana wa ballighna Ramadhaan.” (Tabrani, Shu’abul Imaan)**Oh Allah bless for us the month of Rajab and Sha’baan and make us reach Ramadhaan.” (Musnad Bazzar).**Send a sms/Whatsapp REG on +23057921333 for updates. The preparation of Ramadhaan is done two months before ! Some pious people were preparing for Ramadhaan six months before. Since this is the most prestigious month of the year, in this month all the efforts are made to gain proximity with Allah,together with the young ones, like swalaat,recitation of the Quran and alms also. Thus,we use our wealth, body and tongue as a tool to gain closeness to Allah. In order to prepare for Ramadhaan ,let us read this dua and also let us keep our strength and health for Ramadhaan*. *Let us also plan our schedule how we’ll use our time from now itself. If possible, arrange for a leave at work to be able to observe i’tikaaf every month of Ramadhaan or at least the last 10 days of Ramadhaan. All of these can be done in order for us to be in a higher spiritual level during Ramadhaan.*
Mufti Ayoob Mackoojee+23057921333