The month of Rajab: A month for preparation, a full month of Blessings
When Rajab comes to the Muslims, it notes that the most blessed months of Sha’ban and Ramadan are near.
Rajab is one of those sacred times, which Allāh has chosen and given a special status. Rajab is the month of (or seeking forgiveness) for my nation. Therefore, plead for God’s forgiveness often during this month, for Allah is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.” Allāh says in Surah Tawbah:
“Indeed, the number of months with God is twelve [lunar] months in the register of God [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that God is with the righteous [who fear Him]” (Quran 9:36).
It is well known within our sacred scriptures that God has ordained some months to be more sacred than others. The Islamic tradition is filled with sacred times and sacred places. For example, the house of God is one of the most sacred places in the world. There also exist sacred times like the hours on Friday, in which supplications are said to be answered without condition.
Apart from the birth dates of the holy Imams, Imam Muhammad Baqir, Imam Jawad(Peace Be Upon Them),a previous reference has been made to this day, which is celebrated by the Shia as the Day of the Divine Mission.
“He is Who has sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own, to recite unto them His revelations and to make them grow, and to teach them the Scripture and wisdom, though they were indeed in error manifest.” (Qur’an 62:2)
About the rewards of the rites that are practiced on the twenty-seventh night of Rajab, Imam al-Jawad (‘a) is reported to have said: There is a night in Rajab, which carries for people goodness that is more beneficial to them than whatever is exposed to sunlight. It is the twenty-seventh night in the morning of which the Holy Prophet’s Divine Mission started. Verily, one who does acts of worship on this night will have the same reward as one who has worshipped Almighty Allah for sixty years.
Beside the Mab’ath feast, there is the birthday of Imam Ali(PBUH), the head of the rightful, on 13th of Rajab. It is a blessing for us to review a few of the divine verses in reference to Imam Ali, who is the soul of the Qur’an:
And among men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is affectionate to the servants. (2:207)
But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. (3:61)
This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favors on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining wilfully to sin, then surely Allah is forgiving, merciful. (5:3)
Only Allah is your Guardian and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow. (5:55)
O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. (5:67)
And those who disbelieve say: You are not a messenger. Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you and whoever has knowledge of the Book. (13:43)
Once Imam Sadiq (PBUH) was asked by a person for a supplication to God for this month, he answered: “Make this supplication every day during Rajab, morning and evening, 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 requests 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 All-Munificent!’ ”
I take this opportunity to congratulate all the respected readers on the blessed days of Rajab, the holy mid- Sha’ban, the birthday of Imam Mahdi (may Allah accelerate his Re-appearance),and the coming Ramadan, the month of fasting and supplication.
Hamid Farnagh
|
