Allah (SWT) mentions in the Glorious Quran:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion (i.e. way), so do not wrong yourselves during them.” [Qur’an 9:36]
Here we understand that Allah himself, gives sanctity and reverence to specific months in the yearly calendar. A narration from the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) goes further in explanation and in his farewell pilgrimage, names the months to be prioritised:
“O People! Time has gone back to how it was at the time Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. A year has twelve months, four of which are sacred, three consecutive, Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumada and Sha’baan.” [Al-Bukhari]
As for the month of Rajab, it is mentioned that the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) would make a special du’a when the month was on the horizon:
“O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan.” [i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings]
Rajab is sometimes referred to as the month of absolution and being considered as a sacred month; it is a time when fighting and battles are prohibited. One’s acts and deeds at this time, weigh heavily on the scales and an extra effort should be made for additional worship such as prayers, fasting and supplications. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) attributed greatness to the month by describing it as the time for absolution and said that anyone who fasts during Rajab will be rewarded by a specific angel, Ridwan.
Al-Hassan Al-Basri (RA), narrated the Prophet (SAW) said:
“Rajab is the month of Allah. Shaban is my month. Ramadhan is the month of my ummah (followers)”.
Therefore, if you are looking to deepen your connection with Allah (SWT) and perhaps seek forgiveness, then Rajab is a wonderful opportunity to do so. Significantly, the miraculous night journey to Jerusalem-Al Isra’, and ascension through the heavens- Al Mi’raj, also happened to the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) during the 27th night of Rajab. After travelling to Al-Aqsa mosque and tying Al Buraq, he led all of the previous Prophets in prayer, cementing his place as the seal of all Prophets. This was followed by the ascension through the heavens where he was gifted the obligation of the daily prayers. A remarkable moment in the history of the Seerah!