The sacred month of Rajab began a couple days ago. The word Rajab comes from the word “tarjeeb“, which means glorification, so this is a month that people glorify. It’s one of the four sacred months, and it is followed by Sha’ban then Ramadan.

The Light of the Worlds, Sayyidna Muhammad, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said,

“Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.”

That is why, according to Abu Hurayra, the Prophet didn’t fast entire months beside Ramadan except Rajab and Sha’ban.

It is said,

* Rajab is the month for those who race ahead, Sha’ban is the month for those who do some extra good deeds, and Ramadan is the month for the sinners.

* Rajab is the month of sanctity, Sha’ban is the month of service, and Ramadan the month of blessings.

* Rajab is for leaving our forgetfulness and coldness, Sha’ban is for work and devotion, and Ramadan is for sincerity and purity.

* Rajab for  Allah’s forgiveness, Sha’ban for intercession of the Messenger, and Ramadan for the amplification of reward, the descent of mercy, and the Night of Power.

And the in words of Dhul Nun al-Misri:

“Rajab is for leaving wrongdoing, Sha’ban for obedience and good works, and Ramadan for waiting for blessings and gifts from Allah.”

He also said, “Rajab is the month of planting, Sha’ban is the month of watering, and Ramadan is the month of harvest.”

There are many hadiths on the benefits of fasting at least one day in Rajab, and preferably three, for each good deed is rewarded as ten, and so it is as if you have fasted the entire month.

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The above information comes from Al-Ghunya of Shaykh al-Islam Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (r.a.).