The Blessed Month of Rajab
Rajab has officially begun. It is the seventh month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and one of the four sacred months ordained by Allah (SWT). Rajab precedes the month of Sha‘ban and the blessed month of Ramadan, and it carries immense spiritual significance and virtue for worshippers.
Virtues of the Month of Rajab
Scholars have likened the year to a tree: its leaves emerge in Rajab, its fruits begin to form in Sha‘ban, and its harvest is gathered in Ramadan. Rajab therefore marks the spiritual beginning of our preparation for Ramadan.
As we enter this sacred time, it is an opportunity to brighten our record through sincere repentance, increased prayer, Qur’an recitation, fasting, charity, and remembrance of Allah. Those who strive in Rajab lay a strong foundation for a spiritually fruitful Ramadan, bi’ithnillah.
Allah (SWT) ordained Rajab as one of the four sacred months of the year, making it virtuous for several reasons:
- Initiating fighting is prohibited during the sacred months
- Transgressions carry greater weight
- Sincere acts of worship are rewarded more greatly
Allah swt says:
Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong one another during these months. And fight the polytheists together as they fight together against you. And know that Allah is with those mindful ˹of Him˺.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred: three consecutive month-Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram—and Rajab, which comes between Jumada and Sha‘ban.
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj: A Reminder, Not a Date
Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi‘raj are among the most remarkable moments in our tradition. Through this miraculous journey, Allah honored the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and showed him signs of His power and greatness. On that night, the Prophet ﷺ was taken from Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and then raised through the heavens. It was during this journey that the five daily prayers were made obligatory—five in practice, yet rewarded as fifty out of Allah’s immense mercy.
Allah reminds us of this journey in the Qur’an:
Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing
Did Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi‘raj Take Place in Rajab?
Many people ask whether Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj took place in the month of Rajab. The simple answer is that we don’t know. There is no authentic narration that confirms a specific date or month. The scholars explain that Allah, in His wisdom, allowed the exact timing to remain unknown—perhaps to remind us that the meaning of this event matters more than the calendar date.
For the same reason, Islam does not teach us to single out this night for special celebrations or acts of worship. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions did not commemorate it in this way, and if it had been part of our religion, it would have been clearly taught and practiced by them.
Instead of focusing on a specific night, we focus on the lesson Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj leaves us with in our daily lives, and the reminder that closeness to Allah comes through consistent, sincere worship.
May Allah bless us in this sacred month, accept our ibadah, and prepare our hearts for the blessed months ahead.
Learn more about Rajab through the articles and videos below
The Month of Rajab | Analysis of Common Innovated Practices – MuslimMatters.org
Rajab 2026 – A Sacred Month | Islamic Relief UK
Virtues of the Month of Rajab – Islam Question & Answer
Can Muslims Celebrate Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi`raj? – Islam Question & Answer
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