By: Seyyed Ali Shahbaz       
     The month of Rajab has started. 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 are opened for the believers, and remain open till for three moths till the end of Ramadhan and celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
      Rajab is the month of very important anniversaries. It is the month in which on its 27th Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was formally entrusted with the universal mission of Islam as the Last and Greatest Messenger, when Allah Almighty sent Archangel Gabriel to him with the first rays of divine revelation at Cave Hera, atop Jabal an-Noor (Mountain of Light) outside Mecca.
      Rajab is also the month when on its 13th the holy Ka’ba came alive with the birth inside the holiest of the holes of the Prophet’s dear cousin and divinely-designated vicegerent, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS).
      Rajab starts with the birthday on its 1st (57 AH in Medina) of the Prophet’s 5th Infallible Heir, Imam Muhammad al-Baqer (AS), and ends the day after its crucial 28th (60 AH) when the Prophet’s younger grandson, Imam Husain (AS), was forced to leave Medina for the fateful journey that ended some five-and-a-half months later with his tragic martyrdom in Karbala.
      In between are other significant anniversaries in the calendar of Islam. These are the martyrdom of the Prophet’s 10th Infallible Heir, Imam Ali an-Naqi al-Hadi (AS), on its 3rd (254 AH in Samarra); the birthday of the Infant Martyr of Karbala, Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) on its 9th (60 AH in Medina); the birthday of the Prophet’s 9th Infallible Heir, Imam Muhammad at-Taqi al-Jawad (AS) on its 10th (195 AH in Medina); the martyrdom of the Prophet’s granddaughter, Hazrat Zainab (SA) on its 15th (63 AH in Damascus); the miraculous single-handed conquest on its 24th (8 AH) of the impregnable Israelite stronghold of Khaibar by the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) and the martyrdom of the Prophet’s 7th Infallible Heir, Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS) on its 25th (183 AH in Baghdad).
      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 (1st). Then comes the glories of the "Laylat ar-Ragha’eb” (Night of Desirability) on the eve of its First Friday ("Desirability” here means the innate desires of dedicated and pious Muslims for attaining the proximity of the Lord Most High). Fasting and other acts of worship, including reciting of the "Ziyarah” (standard form of salutation) of the Martyr of Karbala, reach their climax on "Laylat al-Ghufayla” (15th eve) and the day after. On the auspicious eve and day of 27th – Mab’ath or Divine Ordainment of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) – special prayers and other observations are recommended including recitation of the "Ziyarah” of the Prophet and the Commander of the Faithful.
     In brief, here are some hadith and acts of devotion for the month of Rajab without attachment to any specific date.  
      Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) is reported to have said: "Surely, whoever fasts a day of Rajab secures Allah’s greatest pleasure, distances himself from divine wrath, and one of the gates of hell is closed for him.”
       Imam Ja’far as-Sadeq (AS), the Prophet’s 6th Infallible Heir, has quoted his illustrious ancestor as saying: "Rajab is the month of istighfar (seeking God’s forgiveness) for my ummah; therefore, plead for God’s forgiveness often during this month, for Allah is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.”
     The Prophet is also reported have said that God Almighty grants the reward of a hundred thousand good deeds to those who say la ilaha il-Allah (there is no god but Allah) a thousand times during the month of Rajab and He shall build for them a hundred cities in paradise.
      Imam Ali (AS) has quoted the Prophet as saying: God Almighty shall forgive all the sins of one who recites these phrases 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 or force except what derives from Allah, the Exalted and Almighty). Then say each of the following thrice. Allahumma salle ala Mohammadin wa aal-e Mohammad (O Allah, bless Mohammad and the Progeny of Mohammad). Allahmum-maghfir-lil-momineen-wa’l-moninaat (O Allah, forgive the faithful, men and women). Thereafter say four hundred times Ashtaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh (I plead to Allah for forgiveness, and turn to Him penitently).