In the above verse, this refers to the 4 holy months known as the “4 forbidden months”. Allah specifically forbids us from persecuting ourselves for that long. So, what are the holy months, Rasulullah SAW explained in detail in the following hadith:
“Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Al-Muharram and Rajab of Mudar [a title of Rajab], which stands between Jumada (ath-Thani) and Sha’ban’. [Bukhari]”
Allah chose the month of Rajab to be made as a holy month among other months. So, we must pay special attention to the period or the month of Rajab. Of course, so that we are enthusiastic about this month, we must know what are the virtues and benefits of the month of Rajab.
Ok, let’s just see how the history of the month of Rajab, the virtues of Rajab and how we use our time in this holy month with full value.
The History of the Sacred Months
From the beginning, war was forbidden in the holy months. This protects people from coming to Kaaba either before the arrival of Islam or after the early arrival of Islam. It is specially divinely designed to allow pilgrims to come to Kaaba, to keep them safe during the Hajj season.
See too: Inside The Holy Kaaba – Interior Baitullah
While Rajab, is the Seventh month of the lunar year, it stands apart from other holy months. So this holy month is called “Rajab al fard” which means separate Rajab. While the other holy months are Zulqa’;dah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, then after a few months, Rajab will follow. so Rajab is separated from other holy months. Allah made the month of Rajab a holy month in order to be safe for people who want to perform Umrah to the Baitullah (minor pilgrimage).
However, in pre-Islamic times, many Arabs did not respect the sanctity of the month of Rajab, they often changed it to another month of the year and they could fight in the 7th month. They pretend that Rajab is on another month so they can adjust their political agenda.
Read also: The 18 Rules of Ramadan
But there are exceptions, they are the Mudar tribe, they consistently observe the order of the lunar month and the sanctity of rajab. So, when the Prophet declared the holy months for Muslims, the Prophet SAW named them Rajab Mudar. So, friends know that it is the 7th month of the lunar year.
The Purpose of the Sacred Months
One of the purposes of the holy months is to allow pilgrims to travel to visit the kaaba. However, this special purpose is sometimes not suitable for today, when we do not need a special month for pilgrimage to Mecca.
During the 4 holy months, our deeds become heavier or multiplied in return. Allah commands us: ‘Don’t wrong yourselves during them’ [The Noble Qur’an, 9:36], committing sins will be more serious in this holy month, just as doing good deeds will be more rewarding.
So, we need to be aware of all forms of sin in this month and always increase good deeds that can bring many rewards.
The Virtues of Rajab
As we know, that this is one of the holy months in Islam, it certainly has its own benefits and virtues. We have also mentioned the virtues of the month of Rajab in the previous article. Here we will explain the virtues of Rajab more clearly.
1. The first virtue of Rajab
Rajab has extraordinary virtues, there are three main virtues, where the first is Rajab as the month of Allah. In this case the Prophet SAW said:
“Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah”. [Suyuti]
This is a very majestic title and good to be honoured. So, there is no doubt that we must pay special attention to the month which has the noble nickname, “the month of Allah”.
2. The second virtue of Rajab
Rajab is a glorious month, in which Allah chose three major events in it.
- The marriage of the Prophet’s parents
- Aminah, the mother of Rasulullah SAW, was pregnant with the best creation (SAW).
- The miracle of the Isra’ Mi’raj event: The 27 Rajab night journey from the masjidil Haram to Baitul Maqdis and from Baitul Maqdis to Sidratul Muntaha to take orders for the 5 daily Salah from Allah.
Masha Allah. We often remember the importance of the holy month of Ramadan, but don’t forget about other holy months like Rajab. Not only about the Prophet Muhammad who was conceived in the month of Rajab, but there were three great gifts from Allah during the journey of Prophet Muhammad SAW’s Migration Israk.
- The gift of our five daily prayers, becomes an important obligation in everyday life
- The last two verses of Surah Baqarah, of which the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Baqarah in the night, it will suffice him’. [Bukhari]
- Allah’s gift to the believers: Whoever dies believing in Allah and not associating anything with Him, will enter Paradise. [Nasa’i].
3. The third virtue of Rajab
The month of Rajab is also known as al-Asaab which means “to pour”. This is due to the abundance of Allah’s mercy during the month of Rajab, Allah pours out His blessings, and His favors and Mercy during this holy month.
Rajab is also known as “The Month of Tawbah”. The month of repentance, istighfar and regret for the sins that have been done.
As Muslims are encouraged to increase worship in the month of Ramadan, we are also encouraged to increase good deeds during Rajab. This is a good opportunity for us to invest in the afterlife. Our good deeds are multiplied in return. Likewise with bad deeds, sins are also multiplied, so this holy month is always an encouragement for us to increase good deeds and leave bad deeds or sins.