Rajab by Hjh Rukiye #2

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.

Today, in sha’ Allah, we will speak about the month of Rajab, which will begin next week. In one week’s time, in sha’ Allah, Rajab Sharif will start. This is a season of worship, a season to come closer to Allah ﷻ, a season of increased worship and spirituality. These three months are more intense in this regard.

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 in which you plant the seeds, Shaban is the month in which you nurture and grow them, and Ramadan is the month in which you harvest what you planted in Rajab. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged increased worship during these three months.

Alhamdulillah, we are reaching these blessed months safely and in good health. The Prophet ﷺ made the supplication:
“Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Shaban wa ballighna Ramadan.”

He ﷺ asked Allah ﷻ for blessings in Rajab and Shaban, and to allow us to reach Ramadan safely. It is advised to fast on Mondays and Thursdays in Rajab and Shaban. Whoever is able to do so, it is very good.

I spoke with Mawlana Shaykh Mehmetق about an hour ago. He sends his salams and blessings. Alhamdulillah, he is in good health and even joked with me. He has given permission to whoever wishes to fast Rajab, Shaban, and Ramadan, all three months together. Whoever is thinking or intending to fast all three months has permission from Mawlana Shaykh. He sends his salams and makes du‘a for you.

If you are unable to fast all three months, then try to fast Mondays and Thursdays in Rajab and Shaban. If you are unable to do that, then follow the advice given to a Companion who came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I cannot fast, I have many responsibilities.” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Then fast three days at least: one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end of the month of Rajab.”

Fasting three days is also good. With your intention, it is counted as though you fasted the entire month. You may do the same in Shaban. Fasting at least three days in Shaban is important, because people are usually very eager in Rajab but become slower in Shaban.

For this reason, Sayyidatina Aishaر said that she never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast in any month more than he fasted in Shaban, except for Ramadan. When asked why, he ﷺ said, “People are preparing for Ramadan, so they become less eager in Shaban. That is why I fast in this month.”

If you are able, continue fasting Mondays and Thursdays. Mawlana Shaykh Mehmetق, Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق, and all the great shaykhs advise fasting on these days.

The days are not very long now, so it is a good opportunity to fast, in sha’ Allah. There are many hadith describing the reward of fasting in Rajab. Fasting one day is counted like fasting one month. Whoever fasts seven days, the doors of Hell are closed. Whoever fasts eight days, the doors of Paradise are opened.

Another hadith mentions that fasting even one day in Rajab is counted like fasting for many years, or freeing many slaves. Allah ﷻ gives immense reward for fasting in Rajab when it is done sincerely for His sake.

If someone cannot fast, then they may give sadaqah during these days. Each sadaqah is rewarded many times over. Allah ﷻ records for the servant a reward equal to the number of hairs on the body. For each sadaqah, it is also counted as though the person performed many Hajj and Umrah. Allah’s rewards are endless and beyond imagination.

There are also thirty rakats to be prayed in Rajab. The Prophet ﷺ advised Sayyidina Salman al-Farsiر to pray ten rakats at the beginning of the month, ten in the middle, and ten at the end. They are prayed two rakats at a time. In each rakat, recite one Fatiha, three Ikhlas, and three Qul ya ayyuhal kafirun.

These rakats may be prayed over several days, or on one night, or during Tahajjud. They may be prayed at any time during the month of Rajab.

There are two holy nights in Rajab. The first is the first Thursday night, Laylat al-Raghaib. It is the night when the Prophet ﷺ physically honoured this world. It was also the wedding night of his mother, Sayyidatina Aminahر.

On this night, twelve rakats are prayed between Maghrib and Isha. In each rakat, recite one Fatiha, three Surah al-Qadr, and twelve Ikhlas. After every two rakats, give salam. After completing the twelve rakats, recite seventy times:
“Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin wa sallim.”

Then go into sajdah and recite:
“Subbuhun Quddus Rabbuna wa Rabbul malaikati war-ruh.”
Then make istighfar and make du‘a for yourself, your family, and the Ummah.

This is a very holy night. After one third of the night has passed, the angels descend and make tawaf around the Ka‘bah. A call is made asking what is being requested, and the angels ask forgiveness for the Ummah and for those who honour Rajab. Allah ﷻ grants acceptance.

On this night, one may recite Mawlid, make salawat, prepare food, or give sadaqah. It is a very blessed night.

The daily tasbih for the month of Rajab, read 100 times daily:
• Subhan al-Hayy al-Qayyum (first 10 days)
• Subhan Allah al-Ahad as-Samad (second 10 days)
• Subhan Allah ar-Rauf (third 10 days)

Also daily in Rajab:
• Astaghfirullah at least 100 times, up to 1000 if possible
• Ya Latif 100 times
• La ilaha illa Allah 100 to 1000 times
• La ilaha illa Allah Muhammadur Rasulullah at least 100 times

This is the wird of Rajab, in sha’ Allah.

There was once a wealthy woman who, every Rajab, wore simple clothes and observed seclusion. Before she passed away, she asked that those clothes be used as her shroud. Her son replaced them with an expensive one, but after burial, the expensive shroud was returned to him, and he was told that the woman’s own clothes were accepted because she honoured Rajab.

Partial seclusion is permitted in Rajab with permission from Mawlana Shaykh Mehmetق. This is not full seclusion, only partial. It may be done at three times: from Tahajjud until sunrise, between Asr and Maghrib, or between Maghrib and Isha. One makes intention for seclusion during these times and fills them with prayer, Quran, salawat, and dhikr.

If possible, maintain cleanliness, wudhu, and ghusl. Simple food is advised. This partial seclusion is from the beginning of Rajab until the 10th of Shaban, completing forty days. Even ten or fifteen minutes with intention is accepted.

This permission applies to ladies as well, but only for partial seclusion. Our intention is to draw closer to our Shaykh, to the Prophet ﷺ, and through them to Allah ﷻ, seeking His love and mercy.

Wa min Allahi tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

• Hjh Rukiye Sultan

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