10 Meanings of the Month of Rajab in Islam

In Islam, there are several months that are glorified because of full blessing. The first is the idiosyncrasy of the month of Ramadhan, then the forbidden months. The majesty of the forbidden month has been mentioned in the Qur’an, as the word of Allah SWT:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

Meaning: “Surely the number of the moon on the side of Allah is twelve months, in the decree of Allah when He created the heavens and the Earth, of which four months are forbidden. That is a straight (religious) decree, so do not persecute yourself in that fourth month, and fight all the polytheists as they fight you all, and know that Allah is with those who fear.” (Surah At Taubah: 36)

Based on the above verse, we can know that the month of Rajab has such a special meaning for Muslims, including:

1. The Month Full of Blessings

The month of Rajab is one of the months that is glorified in Islam. In the month of Rajab, there are many blessings in it. This is related to the command to do as much reward as possible because the reward will be multiplied in the month of Rajab.

2. Holy Month

Rasulullah SAW said: “A year revolves as it is since Allah created the heavens and the Earth. One year has twelve months. Among them are four holy months. The three consecutive months are Dzulqo’ah, Dzulhijjah, and Muharram. (Another month is) Rajab Mudhor located between Jumadal (end) and Sya’ban.” (Narrated by Bukhari no. 3197 and Muslim no. 1679)

In the month of Rajab, Muslims are forbidden to do wrong, both to themselves and others. This is the proof of the sanctity of the month of Rajab which is one of the four months of haraam.

3. The Month in which Prayer is Granted

Prophet Muhammad SAW said,

“5 nights are not rejected in prayer; the beginning of the night of the month of Rajab, the night half of the month of Sya’ban, the night of Friday, the night of Eid al-Fitr, and the night of Eid al-Adha.” (This hadith was issued by the Imam of Suyuthi RA in Kitab al Jami) (Also read: 10 Prayers at Night of Lailatul Qadar You can Recite).

In the month of Rajab, this is the time for the prayer to come true. And it is better if you multiply the prayer so that the desire is achieved especially at the time of prayer.

From Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu that the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said.

يَتَنَزَّلُ رَبَّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلُّ لَيْلَةٍ إلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِيْنَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ اْلآخِرِ فَيَقُوْلُ مَنْ يَدْعُوْنِيْ فَأَسْتَجِبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلْنِيْ فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُ نِيْ فَأَغْفِرَلَهُ

“Verily, our Rabb, the Blessed One, the Highest, descends every night to the heavens of the world, until the remaining one third of the night, then says; whoever prays, I will grant, whoever pleads, surely I will allow and whoever asks forgiveness, surely I will forgive him.” (Shahih Al-Bukhari, Da’awaat book chapter Nisfullail Prayer 7 / 149-150) (Also read: 10 Miraculous Dua For the Last 10 Days of Ramadan).

[AdSense-B]

4. Months that are Close to Ramadan

Rajab Month indicates that Ramadan is very close. For this reason, very thorough preparation is needed and prayers are multiplied. As the Apostle said:

“God bless us in the month of Rajab and Sya’ban, and bless us in the month of Ramadan.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

5. Month to Repent

Rajab is a very good month to repent. If someone has committed a major sin in Islam, he should do the method of Nasuha repentance. No matter how much sin is committed if you repent sincerely, then with God willing, repentance will be accepted. As the word of God:

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Meaning: “They ask you about menstruation. Say: “Menstruation is filth”. Therefore, you should distance yourself from women during menstruation and do not approach them before they are holy. When they are holy, mix them in the place that God has commanded you. Indeed, Allah likes those who repent and like those who purify themselves.” (Surah Al Baqarah: 222)

6. Month for Worship

It is a very good month for worship, including the month of Rajab. The rewards in this month will be multiplied. For this reason, it is recommended to worship as much as possible.

7. Istighfar Month

Not only repent, Rajab month is also a good month to multiply istighfar practice. There are many virtues of dhikr and istighfar that we can feel in this good month.

وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ سُنَّةُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا

Meaning: “And nothing prevents a man from believing when the instructions have come to them, and from begging forgiveness of his Lord, except (the desire awaits) the coming of the law (Allah who has passed on) the people who were past or the coming of punishment they are real.” (Surah al-Kahf: 55)

[AdSense-C]

8. Month of Mercy

In the month of Rajab, Allah will increasingly multiply his blessings, both in health, sustenance, and relationships. For this reason, we are advised to multiply asking or praying to Allah SWT because this is where there is a lot of mercy from Allah SWT that we will feel.

9. A Good Month for Fasting

It is very good to do various sunnah fasts during the month of Rajab. It is reported by Imam Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Baihaqi and others, that one day someone came from the Al Bahili tribe to the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam.

He asked to be taught to fast. The Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam advised: “Satisfy a day every month.” This person said: “I am still strong, add it!” “Two days every month”. This person said: “I am still strong, add it!” “Three days every month.” This person still asks to be added. Then the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said: “Satisfaction in the forbidden month and be open (after the month of haram is finished).” (This hadith is shared as a part of the scholar and is denied by other scholars)

But it is reported that some scholars fasted in all the illegitimate months. The names are Ibn Umar, Hasan Al Bashri, and Abu Ishaq As Subai’i.

10. A Good Month for Umrah

It is reported that Ibn Umar once said, the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam carried out umrah in the month of Rajab. Then his statement was denied by Aisyah and he remained silent. (Narrated by Al Bukhari & Muslim)

Umar bin Khatab and several other friends advocated Umrah in Rajab because there are many virtues of Umrah in the month of Rajab. Aisyah and Ibn Umar also carried out Umrah in the month of Rajab. (Also read: 15 Importance of Bismillah in Islam – Full of Miracles).

Hope that this article can improve your insight about Months of Rajab in Islam!