This brief summary of the month of Rajab is an adaptation of the text written in the sahifa of the month, called “Sharafo shahre Rajabul Asab” written in 1414. This sahifa was produced by Al-muqaddasah, Busaheba, Amatullah Aisaheba, who gifted this book and many other useful ones to mumineen. The sahifa contains all the duas necessary to perform ibadat in Rajab. This text is written in the fragrant remembrance of Busaheba.

Fazilat (Distinction) Of Rajab al-Asab

Rajab al-Asab is a month in which the pious engage in acts of piety. It’s title, “al-Asab“, means a “downpour”, indicative of the downpour of blessings that descend during that month. It is one of the four months that was honoured even in the pre-Islamic Arab culture as a month in which it was forbidden to engage in war. Rajab is commonly known as the month of Amirul Mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA). This is because Rasulullah (SAW) once said to Ali,

“Shaban is my month, Ramadan is the month of Allah and Rajab, O Ali, is your month“

For this month, Syedna Moayyad Shirazi (RA) has written in his qasida:

Ata Rajabun yuammimu minka shamsa
Assa` adati badruha badrululumi
O’ Rajab, with you comes the expectation of
Blessings akin to the sun’s radiance
And the spreading of knowledge (ulum)
As in the luminosity of the full moon.

And Syedi Abdeali Imaduddin (AQ) has written:
The days of prayers and fasting are here
Peace and repose are now for the pious
Whose countenance now glows like the moon
The understanding know, and the ignorant don’t.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (SA) recounts that Rasulullah (SAW) used to fast the months of Rajab, Shabaan and then Ramadan. That Rasulullah (SAW) would say the Prophet Nuh (SA) embarked on his ark on the 1st of Rajab al-Asab and decreed that all aboard the ark fast that day.

Further, Rasulullah (SAW) has said that one may perform umrah in any month but there is special merit in doing so in Rajab. In the times of Aimmat Fatimeen (SA), there were four nights in which the empire’s masjids and places of ibadat were adorned. Amongst them were the 1st and 15th of Rajab as these nights had distinction.

Fazilat Of Fasting In The Month Of Rajab

Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA) has narrated that,

“A person who fasts in the month of Rajab for one year, will be saved from the fire of Hell for one year. He who fasts for two years, will be saved for two years and so on. To one who fasts in the month of Rajab for seven consecutive years, the gates of Hell would close. And for the person who fasts for eight years, the eight gates of Heaven would be opened. To the one who fasts in the month of Rajab for ten consecutive years, it would be said that his deeds are now to be measured anew as all his past sins are forgiven. And beyond that, the reward for fasting for more years increases further.”

Amongst the many achievements of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ), one is that he fasted in the month of Rajab for 10 consecutive years whilst occupying the seat of the Dawat. He states in one of his Risala Sharifas:

“I am grateful to Allah that due to the blessings of Imam al-Zaman (SA), I was able to fast for the month of Rajab, consecutively for ten years. Following my example, mumineen, muminaat and their children also fasted all these years during the month of Rajab with me, gathering the countless blessings and bounties of Imam al-Zaman (SA).

His successor, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), the 52nd Dai, had completed 10 years of fasting before ascending the throne of Dawat. In 1410H, the year known as “Sanato N`ematis Sabigah“, at the age of 77, he declared his intention to fast for 10 years in the month of Rajab for a second time. As the news spread, thousands of mumineen joined him in this ibadat of fasting and prayer and were inspired by him to partake in the nemat of Rajab.

Rajab, 1419H, saw the completion of 10 years of fasting of Al-Dai al-Fatimi (TUS). The merits of having done so are enormous. Al-Dai al-Fatimi has not only completed this for himself, but has, by his example, given the resolve to thousands others to achieve an abundant reward with him. May Allah grant him a long life, and bestow upon him the choicest of blessings.

Milad of Amirul Mumineen (SA)

On the 13th of Rajab al-Asab, the Lord of Wasiyyin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA) was born. His birth took place inside the House of Allah, the Kaaba. At the time of his birth, his mother, Mawlatena Fatema binte Asad was given a sign to enter the House Of Allah. After the birth, Mawlana Abu Talib (SA) placed a stone on the spot saying that this will be a site of ibadat of Allah.

On this day, mumineen gather in masjids to remember Mawla Ali (SA) and do his zikr with the qasida of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (SA) which begins:

Assamia zil-arshil azime aliya
Ma kunta illa nurahul azaliya

O’ One who is called by the name of the Host High.
Without doubt, you are nothing but that light divine.

Fazilat Of Ayamul Biz

It is said that a woman known as Umme Dawood lived in the time of Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA). Her son, Dawood was held captive by the oppressive Abbasid khalif, Abu al-Dawaniq. She came to the Imam in distress, narrating her woes. Imam al-Sadiq (SA) gave her the means to relieve her anguish. He told her to fast for the three days on 13th, 14th and 15th of Rajab. Then, at zawal on the 15th, she should pray 8 rakaats of namaz instead of the 6 of sunnat. Then, after the zohr faraz, 2 rakats of istiftah should be prayed. Then the rest of the zohr and asr prayers should be said as normal. After namaz, a tasbih and tilawat of 10 Surats of Qur’an Majid should be done, followed by a powerful dua written by the Imam himself. With this, the Imam said, “If Allah chooses to do so, He will bring your son back to you“. Umme Dawood did as the Imam said and no sooner had she finished, that her son walked in a free man.

This amal and dua was a gift of Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA) to mumineen. Today, it is our practice to do this each year. Those who have difficulties can perform this ibadat with the assurance that Allah will heed their dua and their difficulties will melt away.

Ayyamul Barakaatil Khuldiyah

On the 19th of Rajab 1385, Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) left this world for his permanent abode. His successor, the Dai of the time, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (TUS) decreed that the event be marked by 3 days of ibadat and named them Ayamul Barakatil Khuldiyah (The days of heavenly blessings).

No other Dai had a term in office as long as Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ). He served Imam al-Zaman (SA) for 53 years. He made the star of Dawat rise above to its zenith. He gave mumineen and muminaat the benefit of the ilm of Ale-Mohammed (SA). He made them true adherents of Shariat Mohammediya Gharrah, despite the difficulties of a drastically changing world.

Those who benefited from a closeness to him, and they were a legion, remember him in reverence and fondness and often break down in grief at the loss of him. But such devotees take solace in Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), whose radiant countenance reminds them of the face of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ). His help in need was so vast, it has left a debt impossible to repay. He spent his life resolving the difficulties of thousands of mumineen and even in death, he continues this by answering the pilgrims at his grave. And what is more, he left his son in his own image, equal in every respect, to care and nurture mumineen as he had done in his life.

Despite his numerous travels, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) always returns to Bombay for the urus. He performs the ziyarat of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) on his behalf and on the behalf of mumineen all over the world and remembers Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) in these days as follows:

17th night

Khatmul Qur’an majlis is usually held in the Badri Mahal masjid

18th night

Khatmul Qur’an majlis is usually held at the Market masjid, with mumineen and sadaat kiram offering their understanding of the ehsan of Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb (AQ) upon them.

19th night

The urus night majlis is held at Fatimi masjid after maghrib and isha’ namaz. Two rakats of tawwassul are prayed before the majlis. Qasaid and marthiyah written by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) are recited. The ghasil ceremony is also completed by urus night.

19th day

A waaz majlis is held in Saifee masjid.

Laylatul Me’raj – The Night Of Ascent

On the 27th night of Rajab, Allah bestowed upon His servant, Mohammed Rasulullah (SAW), the sharaf of isra and me’raj. Isra is the name of the night journey from Masjid al-Haraam (Kaaba) to Masjid al-Aqsa, in Jerusalem. There, 124,000 anbiyya (prophets) awaited his presence and he led these, the best of creation in prayers to the Creator of the Worlds.

Then, the Prophet ascended to the heavens, a journey that is called me’raj, and witnessed what there was in each heaven, including a firishta in the form of Amirul Mumineen, Ali (SA). Jibrail, his companion, was asked to halt at Sidratan Muntaha, beyond the 7th Heaven, whilst Rasulullah went further still to be in the presence of Allah. It is said metaphorically, that Rasulullah was made so close to Allah that it was as if he was within the pupil of Allah’s eyes.

Rasulullah descended to Masjid al-Aqsa again, having seen what was beyond the experience of ordinary mortals and returned with many gifts, one of which was the number of prayers believers would recite per day.

Of this me’raj, Syedna Taher Saifuddin says, in one of his qasidas:

Great was his honour amongst the messengers
On the night that he undertook that blessed journey
From one sacred place (Kaaba) to another (Al-Aqsa)In al-Aqsa, this Messanger of Allah,
The pride of the prophets, led them all in prayer

 

 

On this night, mumineen pray a namaz that is 22-rakat long.

Yawmal Mab’ath – The Day Of Elevation

On the 27th day of Rajab, 9 years before me’raj, a noble and trustworthy man named Mohammed ibn Abdullah al-Mustafa (SAW) was elevated to prophethood. Jibrail came to the Rasulullah (SAW) in the cave of Hira with the first verse of revelation:

Read! In the name of your Lord (Al-Quran: 96)

And from then on to his departure from this world, divine inspiration and revelation continued to descend upon his pure heart.

This is the day when all mumineen, even the youngest of babies fast in the prayer that Allah would also elevate their station in His path. The fast is also commonly known as “Motius Sawalaat“, which means “Answerer of prayers”, in supplication to Allah.

The Du’at Mutlaqeen (AQ) observed a tradition of doing a waaz on this day, describing the eminence of Rasulullah’s me’raj and mab’ath. Syedna Taher Saifuddin followed this tradition and held waaz majlis on this day. During the course of one such majlis in 1352H, he designated his son as his successor.

The 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) has continued in this tradition and delivers a profoundly moving waaz each year on this day.

Edited by: Shaikh Mustafa Abdulhussein

Article taken from Mumineen.org

http://www.mumineen.org/archive/miqat/rajab-al-asab/rajab/