By: Seyyed Ali Shahbaz
The month of Rajab is all set to start. It is the first of the four sacred months of the Islamic Calendar, and has its own special virtues, since in this month the gates of Divine Mercy open for the believers, and remain open for three months until the end of Ramadhan and celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
“Rajab is the great month of Allah. No other month equals it in sanctity and merit. During this month fighting is prohibited (even) against the infidels... Surely, whoever fasts a day of Rajab secures Allah’s greatest pleasure, distances himself from the wrath of Allah, and one of the gates of hell is shut closed for him.”
These are the remarks of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) on the first of the four sacred months of the Islamic Calendar in which the Gates of Divine Mercy are open. He said God Almighty grants the reward of a hundred thousand good deeds to those who recite “la ilaha il-Allah” (there is no god but Allah) a thousand times during Rajab and builds for them a hundred cities in paradise.
The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) quotes the Prophet as saying: God Almighty shall forgive all the sins of the person who recites these every day and night throughout the months of Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadhan. Recite each of the following three times: Surah al-Hamd, Ayat al-Kursi, the Surahs Kafirun, Towheed, Falaq, and Naas. Then, say thrice Subhan-Allah, wal-hamdu lillah, wa la ilaha il-Allah wa-Allah-o Akbar, wa la howla wala quwatta illah billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise belongs to Allah, there is no god except Allah, and Allah is Greater; there is no power except what derives from Allah, the Exalted, the Almighty). Then say each of the following thrice: Allahumma salle ala Muhammadin wa aal-e Muhammad (O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad). Allahmum-maghfir-lil-momineen-wa’l-moninaat (O’ Allah, forgive the faithful, men and women). Then say four hundred times Ashtaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh (I plead to Allah for forgiveness, and turn to Him penitently).”
According to the Prophet’s 6th Infallible Heir, Imam Ja’far as-Sadeq (AS): “Rajab is a river in paradise, whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Whoever fasts a day of Rajab will be given a drink from that river by Allah, the Almighty, the Glorious.”
He also said: “Allah has exalted this month and given it a stupendous sanctity, taking it upon Himself to honour those who fast it. Whoever fasts a single day of the latter part of Rajab it will save him from the severity of the throes of death, from the horrors encountered after death, and from the torments of the grave. Whoever fasts two days of the latter part of this month will cross over with ease the “Sirat” (the sharper than razor-narrower than hair-string bridge over hell that leads to paradise). Whoever fasts three days of the latter part of this month will be secure from the terrors and calamities of the Day of the greatest terror and will be granted immunity from hell.”
Imam Sadeq (AS), when asked for a supplication to God in this month, said: “Write down ‘In the Name of Allah the All-Beneficent the All-Merciful’, and recite this supplication every day morning and evening during Rajab after the daily and nightly prayers: ‘O You from whom I expect every good, and seek safety from Your displeasure in the face of every evil! O You Who give abundantly for that which is trivial! O You Who grant to whomever that beseeches You. O You Who, out of Your compassion and mercy, give also to those who neither ask You nor know You. Grant me, for my petition to You, all the good of the world and all the good of the Hereafter! Save me, through my petition to You, from all the evils of the world and the Hereafter, for what You grant is never deficient; and enhance me out of You grace, O the All-Munificent!’”
The Imam while reciting this supplication in an entreating manner, gently held his beard with his left hand and moving the index finger of his right hand, added, “O Majestic and Munificent! O All-Generous Bestower of blessings, O Dispenser of favours and bounties; save my grey hair from the Fire!”
It is related from the Prophet’s 7th Heir, Imam Musa Kazem (AS): “For those who fast a day of Rajab, the fire of hell recedes from them a distance of a year’s journey. Whoever fasts three days of Rajab is certain to enter Paradise.”
According to narration a person who recites in Rajab “Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh” seventy times in the morning and seventy times in the evening and thereafter raising his hands says “Allahummaghfir li wa tub alayya”, should he/she die during Rajab, God shall be pleased with him/her and hellfire shall not touch him/her. The Prophet also said God Almighty shall forgive all the sins of someone who offers ten raka’ah of the ritual prayer during one of the nights of Rajab, reciting Surah al-Hamd and Surah Kafirun once and Surah Towheed thrice in each raka’ah.
The merits of Rajab are manifold, beginning with special prayers, supplications and acts of devotion on its eve and the fast of the following day (that is, 1st). Then comes the glories of the “Laylat ar-Ragha’eb” (Night of Desirability) on the eve of its First Friday. For the information of our listeners, concerning this blessed night, a special observance is narrated from Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). Among the virtues of this observance is expiation of many sins. It is mentioned that when someone who has offered this prayer dies, on the first night of his burial God Almighty sends the reward for it in the most beautiful of forms, with a bright and gracious face, to greet him/her in the grave. Speaking in an eloquent manner, it says: “My friend, congratulations for having been delivered from every hardship and suffering.” The person asks: “Who are you? By God, I have never seen a more beautiful face, never heard a sweeter speech, nor smelled a better fragrance than yours!” It replies: “I am the reward of the prayer you offered on such and such a night of such and such a month in such and such a year. I have come tonight to fulfill my debt to you, to give you company in your solitude, and to relieve you of your loneliness. When the Trumpet is sounded I will shade you on the plain of resurrection. So rejoice, for you will not be missing your Lord’s grace!”
To perform the devotions of “Laylat-ar-Raghaeb”, fast should be kept on the First Thursday of Rajab. After nightfall, between the Maghreb and Isha ritual

prayers, a 12-raka’ah prayer is performed in six parts, i.e. after every two raka’ahs, the salaam is recited, followed by renewal of intention for the next two raka’ah until completion of all twelve rakha’ats. In each raka’ah, Surah al-Hamd is recited once, followed by Surat al-Qadr three times and Surat at-Tawhid 12 times. After completing this prayer, say 70 times: “Allahumma, Salle ala Muhammadinin-Nabi-yil-ummi, wa ala Alehi. (O Allah, bless Muhammad, the untaught Prophet, and his progeny). Then put the forehead on the ground in prostration to recite 70 times the Arabic phrase: Subbuhun, Quddusun Rabb’ul- Mala’ekate war-Rouh. (You are Glorious and Holy, O Lord of the angels and the Spirit). Then on raising your head from prostration, say 70 times: Rabbigh-fir warham, wa tajawaz amma ta’lam, innaka antal Aliul-A’zam! (Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me! Excuse what You know. Indeed You are the Most High and the Greatest) Then again put the forehead on the ground in prostration and say 70 times: Subbuhun, Quddusun Rabb’ul- Mala’ekate war-Rouh. (You are Glorious and Holy, O Lord of the angels and the Spirit). Thereafter, beseech the Almighty Creator to grant you whatever legal and rational request you have.”
Rajab starts with the birthday on its 1st (57 AH in Medina) of the Prophet’s 5th Heir, Imam Muhammad al-Baqer (AS), and towards its end is the 28th on which the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husain (AS), was forced to leave Medina in 60 AH for the fateful journey that ended in his tragic martyrdom in Karbala.
In between are other anniversaries such as martyrdom of the Prophet’s 10th Heir, Imam Ali an-Naqi (AS), on its 3rd in 254 AH in Samarra; birthday of the Infant Martyr of Karbala, Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) on 9 in 60 AH in Medina; birthday of the Prophet’s 9th Heir, Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (AS) on 10 in 195 AH in Medina; the glorious birthday in the holy Ka’ba of Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) on 13; martyrdom of the Prophet’s granddaughter, Hazrat Zainab (SA), on 15 in Damascus; Imam Ali’s (AS) single-handed conquest of the impregnable Israelite stronghold of Khaibar on 24 in 8 AH; martyrdom of the Prophet’s 7th Heir, Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS) on 25 in 183 AH in Baghdad; and the auspicious eve and day of the 27th – Mab’ath or God Almighty’s formal entrustment of the universal message of Islam to Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
Fasting and other acts of worship, including reciting of the “Ziyarah” of Imam Husain (AS) reach their climax on the “Laylat al-Ghufayla” (15th eve).