Rajab: Sacred Month and Common Innovations in Muslim Practices

The Significance of Rajab and Avoiding Innovations in Islam

The Month of Rajab and the Muslims of Today

Allah has designated twelve months for the year since the creation of the universe, and among these, four months are sacred, known as the Ashhur al-Haram (Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, Rajab). Rajab is one of these sacred months. Allah’s command is:
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُۚفَلَاتَظْلِمُوافِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْۚوَقَاتِلُواالْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚوَاعْلَمُؤَا أَنَّاللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ (التوبة:36)
Translation: The number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s Book on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. This is the right religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them, and fight the disbelievers all together as they fight you all together. And know that Allah is with the righteous.

In a Hadith, the sacred months are described as:
السنةُ اثنا عشرَ شهرًا منها أربعةُ حُرُمٌ : ثلاثةٌ مُتوالياتٌ : ذو القَعدةِ وذو الحَجَّةِ والمُحرَّمُ ، ورجبُ مُضرَ ، الذي بين جُمادَى وشعبانَ .(صحيح البخاري:4406)
Translation: The year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred: three are consecutive — Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram — and Rajab of Mudar, which falls between Jumada al-Akhirah and Sha’ban.

From the Quranic verse and the authentic Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, we learn that Rajab is one of the sacred months (Ashhur al-Haram). This month demands that Muslims refrain from conflict, corruption, killing, and oppression. It is not that disobedience, corruption, oppression, and killing are prohibited only in these months, but that they are strictly prohibited during this time.

However, many Muslims today not only fail to honor this sacred month but are deeply involved in superstitions, innovations, shirk, and practices of bid’ah. I will briefly outline some of these issues as much has already been written on the topic. I will only point out the references without elaborating further.

1. The name Rajab is given to this month due to the great respect it held, particularly by the Mudar tribe. Therefore, it is also called Rajab Mudar. For innovators, it is commonly referred to as Rajab al-Murajab due to excessive reverence, and their practices of veneration are associated with polytheistic and innovative actions.
   
2. A common false belief among people is that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever congratulates on the arrival of Rajab, the fire of Hell becomes forbidden for them.” This is a fabricated saying, and anyone attributing such lies to the Prophet ﷺ will face punishment in Hell.
   
3. Before and especially when the moon of Rajab appears, the prayer “اللهم بارِكْ لنا في رجبٍ وشعبانَ ، وبلِّغنا رمضانَ” (“O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban and let us reach Ramadan”) is often spread, but this is a weak Hadith, and weak Hadiths cannot be used as evidence. (For more on the weak Hadith, see Sahih al-Jami’ 4395)
   
4. During Rajab, specific prayers are performed, such as the “Hizari” prayer on the first of Rajab, the “Salat al-Raghayb” (a prayer between Maghrib and Isha on the first Friday), and the “Salat of Umm Dawood” on the 15th of Rajab, among others like the prayer on the 27th night, called the “Miraj Night Prayer.” All of these prayers are bid’ah as they have no basis in the authentic teachings of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” (Sahih Bukhari)
   
5. People believe that fasting on specific days of Rajab brings great reward, such as fasting the first day for the expiation of three years, the second for two years, and so on, but there is no evidence in the Sunnah for this practice. The Prophet ﷺ did not perform any special fasts during Rajab.
   
6. Many people consider it more virtuous to perform Umrah during Rajab, thinking it carries great reward, but the Prophet ﷺ never performed Umrah in Rajab. All his Umrah journeys were in Dhul-Qi’dah.
   
7. One of the most famous innovations is the practice of filling kondas (sugar-filled pots) on the 22nd of Rajab in the name of Ja’far al-Sadiq, with the belief that all wishes will be fulfilled through his intercession. This is an act of shirk as it involves invoking someone other than Allah, and the offering of vows is an act of worship that must be made solely for Allah.
   
8. The 27th of Rajab is considered by innovators to be important, with the celebration of the Miraj (the Prophet’s ascension to the heavens). They light lamps in their homes, hold vigils, and perform special prayers. There is no celebration of Miraj in Islam, nor is there any prescribed worship for that night. Therefore, lighting lamps, holding gatherings, and other innovations associated with this night are not part of Islam.
   
9. In addition to these innovations, people engage in many superstitious acts such as giving charity to the souls of the deceased, traveling to the shrine of Muin al-Din Chishti in Ajmer, performing prostration or circumambulation at graves, offering flowers and cloth to graves, cooking specific foods, wearing a ring for blessings, and engaging in specific supplications.
   
10. All the practices mentioned above are innovations and falsehoods, as they are not supported by Allah’s commands or the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. This does not mean that we cannot perform acts of worship such as voluntary prayers, fasting, Umrah, or giving charity during Rajab. We can perform these actions just as we do in any other month, but without assigning any specific time, day, or method for these acts.
    
11. Many people will show you various Hadiths about the virtues of Rajab. Do not be deceived by them. Keep in mind that Rajab is a sacred month, but apart from the general respect it deserves, no special prayers, fasts, or congratulatory messages have been prescribed for this month in the authentic teachings of Islam.
    
12. Lastly, it is very important to avoid all forms of shirk, bid’ah, and disobedience in Rajab, as it is a sacred month. It is tragic that people today disregard the sanctity of these months, going against the very teachings that have been respected since the creation of the heavens and the earth. Allah commanded that we do not wrong ourselves during these months, and this includes avoiding all acts of polytheism, innovation, and every kind of disobedience.
    

May Allah grant the Muslim Ummah understanding of the religion and protect them from shirk and bid’ah, bringing them together on the true path. Ameen.