Fasting in Islam religion, month of Rajab
Fasting is one of the most recommended acts to any muslim during this spiritual season.
It becomes obligatory during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the month of Rajab. As will be noted from many Hadiths fasting, be it for only one day during this month, is rewarded with untold bounties.
Hazrat Salman Al Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) 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 the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was appointed to Messenger-hood.
Hazrat Salman Al-Farsi further narrates that the Beloved of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said “O Salman, any Mumin (True Believer) and Muminah (Truly Believing Female) who performs 30 Raka’ah in the month of Rajab and in each Raka’ah recites Surah Al-Fatiha once, Surah Al-Ikhlas 3 times, and Surah Al-Kafiroon 3 times that Allah (SWT) forgives them their sins and bestows rewards upon them as upon a person who has fasted a whole month.
Such a believer becomes among those who will be steadfast in their Salaat in the year which is to come. For him the deeds of the day are 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 the above Salaat, Allah (SWT) will give him salvation from the Hell Fire, make Wajib (obligatory) for him, His Paradise and bestow His Nearness upon him.
Hazrat Jibril (Gabriel) informed me “O Muhammad this is the sign between you and the Mushrikeen (Polytheists) and the Munafiqun (Hypocrites) because the Munafiq does not perform this Salaat.”
During this month Allah (SWT) shall also forgive and have mercy on him who recites:
Astaghfirulaahallad’ee Laa Ilaaha Ilaa Huwa Wah’dahoo La Shareeka Lahoo Wa Atoobu Ilayh (I ask forgiveness of Allah, who is “There is no God save He, and no other; has no partner”; and I turn repentant to Him) at least 100 times (400 times will acquire more rewards),
One who recites “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah” 1000 times, during the month of Rajab, and gives alms in the name of Allah at the completion, Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas at least 100 times (1000 or 10000 times will acquire more rewards) in the month.
Keep fast on any day in the month of Rajab.
The month of Rajab
Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and 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.
This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.
Muslims believe Rajab is the month in which Ali Ibn Abu Twalib, the first Imam of Shia Islam and Fourth Caliph of Sunni Islam, was born inside the Kaaba, the most sacred place of worship for Muslims.
Rajab means to respect and it is also called Rajab al Fard meaning alone because the other three sacred months come one after another, except this month. It comes alone not like the other 3 consecutive sacred months.
The names of the four months referred to as sacred are Rajab, Dhu’l-Qa’da, Dhu’l-Hijja and Muharram. Rajab stands in isolation while the other three occur in consecutive sequence in the Islamic calendar.
The Muslims further believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) ascended to heaven on the 27th of Rajab, Hadhrat Bilal Ibn Haritha (R.A) brought a congregation of four hundred men named Banu Muzeena in the presence of the Holy Prophet, they all embraced Islam and became followers of the Holy Prophet in the year 5 A.H, the battle of Tabook took place in the year 9 A.H. and it was the last battle in which the Holy Prophet participated and the second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 A.H.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said: “Rajab is a great month of Allah (SWT), 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’ban 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 (SWT) shall be distanced and a door of the Hell shall be closed.”
Rajab is one of the sacred months and its days are inscribed on the sixth gate of Heaven. So, if a man has fasted during one day of this month, and if he has kept his fast completely clean through obedient devotion [taqwa] to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He), the heavenly gate will acquire the faculty of speech, and the day itself will also acquire the faculty of speech.