Rajab

Rajab (Arabic: رجب‎) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of Rajaba is "to respect", of which Rajab is a derivative. This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.^{[citation needed]}

Muslims believe Rajab is the month in which ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the first Imam of [and Fourth Caliph of , was born. Rajab is also the month during which Isra' Mi'raj (journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to heaven) of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, took place.

Rajab and Shaʿbān are a prelude to the holy month of Ramaḍān.

Hadith

In Islamic eschatology:

• Abu Hurairah said that Muhammad said:

  There will be an Ayah (sign) in (the month of) Ramadan. Then, there will 'isabah (splitting into groups) in Shawwal. Then, there will be fighting in (the month of) Dhu al-Qi'dah. Then, the pilgrim will be robbed in (the month of) Dhu al-Hijjah. Then, the prohibitions will be violated in (the month of) al-Muharram. Then, there will be sound in (the month of) Safar, then the tribes will conflict with each other in the two months of Rabi' al-awwal & Rabi' al-thani. Then, the most amazing thing will happen between (the months of) Jumada and Rajab. Then, a well-fed she-camel will be better than a fortress (castle) sheltering a thousand (people).^{[1][not specific enough to verify]}

Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the lunar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Rajab migrates throughout the seasons. The estimated start and end dates for Rajab, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, are:^[2]

Events

• The Battle of Tabouk took place in Rajab, 9 A.H. (October 630)
• The second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 A.H. (September 633)
• 6 Rajab: Many Sufi followers of the Chishti tariqa (path) celebrate the anniversary of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti
• 7 Rajab: Twelvers observe the Festival of Imam Musa al-Kazim in dedication of Musā' al-Kādhim. This is so as to avoid missing celebrating the birth of the 7th Imam which took place Safar. In (Rajab), on the 7th day is celebrated the birth of 7th Imam.
• 22 Rajab, Koonday (table cloth dinner) is organized by people friendly towards the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt or Shias among Shias of South Asia. It is an occasion for Shias to discuss Allah and the Ahlul Bayt and to strengthen ties among the community with love and compassion.
• 27 Rajab, Mi'raj, the day Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. It is a national holiday in some Muslim countries.
• 28 Rajab, Husayn ibn ‘Alī started his journey to Kufa from Medina.

Births

• 1 Rajab: Muhammad al-Bāqir, Shī‘ah Imām
• 5 Rajab: ‘Alī al-Naqī, Twelver Imām
• 9 Rajab: ‘Alī al-Asghar
• 10 Rajab: Muhammad al-Taqī, ninth Twelver Imām
• 13 Rajab: ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib
• 20 Rajab: Sakina bint Hussain

Deaths

• 3 Rajab: ‘Alī al-Naqī, Twelver Imam & Uwais al-Qarni, Companion Of Muhammad
• 6 Rajab: Mu'īnuddīn Chishtī, The founder of Chishti Order of Sufism
• 8 Rajab: Nazim Al-Haqqani, a Turkish Cypriot Sufi Muslim sheykh and spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi tariqa.
• 15 Rajab: Zainab bint Ali
• 18 Rajab: Abraham (according to Shi'a Islam)
• 22 Rajab: Muawiyah I
• 25 Rajab: Musā' al-Kādhim, seventh Twelver Imam
• 26 Rajab: Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib, uncle of Muhammad and father of Ali

Description

The name of Rajab literally designated to the meaning respected, regarded, and admired. It seems that the word is originally a Semitic one. There are different points about the numeration of the days of the month. Some believe that the month is 29 days and others believe that the month is 30 days. There are two important events during the month, namely the birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Muhammad's first revelation in Shia tradition.^[3] Just as the month honored before the appearance of Islam, the dignity of that is regarded by the very religion of Islam. Also during the month referred to the forbidding of war. There are also other names for the Rajab, such as Rajab Al-Morrajjab, Rajab Al-Asab.^[4]

For Shia

The Shi'a believe that there are many virtues of the month. According to some narrations, the month belongs to Ali while Shaban is for Muhammad. Musa al-Kadhim (the seventh Imam of the Shia) has narrated that the Rajab is like a river in heaven which is whiter and sweeter than honey.^[5]

References

External links

• Islamic-Western Calendar Converter (Based on the Arithmetical or Tabular Calendar)
• Monthly Profiles of the Islamic Calendar(Copyright)
• The Night Journey: The Spiritual Significance of Isra and Mi`raj