The Three Holy Months by Hjh Rukiye

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Madad Ya Sayyidi Ya Rasul Allah ﷺ, wa Mashayikhina Sheikh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqaniق, Sheikh Muhammad Ar-Rabbaniق

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuhu

Tariqatuna as-sohbah, wa-l khayru fi-l jam‘iyyah.
Our Way is through sohbah, and all goodness is in gathering.

In sha’ Allah, today we will speak about the three holy months: Rajab, Shaban, and Ramadan. In sha’ Allah, the next time we meet, it will already be the month of Rajab, the first of the three sacred months.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Rajab is the month of Allah ﷻ, Shaban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.”

Rajab is the month of Allah ﷻ, Shaban is the month of the Prophet ﷺ, and Ramadan is the month of the Ummah of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, our month.

These three holy months are like a special season for increased spirituality. We need to prepare ourselves for them, in sha’ Allah.

The first Thursday night of Rajab, from Thursday to Friday, is a very holy night. It is one of the five sacred nights of the Islamic year. The five holy nights are: two in the month of Rajab, the middle of Shaban (Laylat al-Bara’ah), Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan, and the night of the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, Laylat al-Mawlid.

There are also other blessed nights, such as the night of Arafat and the night of Eid. One of the holy nights of Rajab is Laylat al-Ragha’ib, the first Thursday night of the month. It is the night when the Prophet ﷺ was conceived in his mother’s womb, the night when his physical presence began to honour the world.

Some people celebrate this night as the Night of Sayyidatina Aminahر, the mother of the Prophet ﷺ, and mark it as her wedding night. On this night, they make praise, recite Mawlid, and prepare a feast. We also honour this night, as it is a very blessed night.

It is recommended to fast on that Thursday, and if possible, on the Friday as well. Fasting is very sacred and strengthens our spirituality. It is a way of showing respect and honour to these blessed days. Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق and Mawlana Shaykh Mehmetق always fasted on these days. Mawlana Shaykh Mehmetق sends his salams to you and makes du‘a for you.

The advice given is to fast on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Rajab, and also on Mondays and Thursdays in Shaban, until Ramadan arrives, when we fast the entire month. Some people choose to fast throughout all three months. This can be difficult, but some do it to gain greater strength and spirituality and to draw closer to Allah ﷻ.

Fasting itself is an act of worship that brings a servant closer to Allah ﷻ. Every day of fasting in Rajab carries a special reward. It is said that fasting one day opens the doors of Heaven, fasting two days brings forgiveness, and fasting three days brings protection from certain illnesses. Each day has its own reward.

Even if the days are long, try to fast as much as you can. At the very least, fast three days in Rajab and three days in Shaban, and keep the value of the holy nights.

There are also specific tasbih to be recited in Rajab. Every day, read “Astaghfirullah” at least 100 times. If you are able, you may increase it to 300, 500, or even 1,000 times. Along with this, read “Ya Latif” 100 times daily.

In the first ten days of Rajab, read “Subhan al-Hayy al-Qayyum” 100 times each day.
In the second ten days, read “Subhan Allah al-Ahad as-Samad” 100 times each day.
In the third ten days, read “Subhan Allah ar-Ra’uf” 100 times each day.

It is also recommended to read “La ilaha illa Allah” 1,000 times daily from the beginning of Rajab until the day of Eid. By the end of Eid, this completes 100,000 recitations, which is known as Khatam al-Tawhid.

In many cultures, when someone passes away, family and friends gather to complete Khatam al-Tawhid and gift its reward to the soul of the deceased. It is said to be a means of salvation and a provision for Paradise. In sha’ Allah, we may do this gradually. Even if you cannot complete the full amount, read as much as you can. At the very least, read “La ilaha illa Allah” 100 times daily. This is a source of strength for you and for everyone.

The second holy night of Rajab is Isra’ wa al-Mi‘raj, when the Prophet ﷺ travelled by night from Makkah to Jerusalem, and from there ascended through the heavens. Allah ﷻ created time within time for His Beloved ﷺ. He ﷺ visited the heavens and Paradise, saw Hellfire, and reached Sidrat al-Muntaha, the furthest point that Sayyidina Jibril عليه السلام could reach.

Beyond that point, only one from all of creation could pass, and Allah ﷻ welcomed His Beloved Prophet ﷺ there. Only Allah ﷻ knows what occurred between them. Some say the journey was in a dream, others say it was spiritual only, but we believe it was with both body and soul. For Allah ﷻ, nothing is impossible. This is our belief.

In sha’ Allah, the next time we meet will be around the time of Isra’ wa al-Mi‘raj, and we will speak more about it then. This was a short sohbah for you. In sha’ Allah, next time it will be longer.

Wa min Allahi tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

• Hjh Rukiye Sultan

To learn more about the month of Rajab Shahrullah, please click here.

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