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Today is the 1st of Rajab.
Ahmad in his Musnad, Abu Dawud in his Sunan, and others narrate:
A man came to the Prophet one year, then he wasn't seen until the next year.
When he returned, he had changed for the worse, looking emaciated.
A man came to the Prophet one year, then he wasn't seen until the next year.
When he returned, he had changed for the worse, looking emaciated.
He said: O Messenger, don't you know me?
The Prophet said: And who are you? He replied, I'm the Bahili man that came to you last year!
He said: So what happened to you? You used to look so decent?!
The Prophet said: And who are you? He replied, I'm the Bahili man that came to you last year!
He said: So what happened to you? You used to look so decent?!
He said: I haven't eaten any food since I last saw you, except at night.
The Messenger of God said: So why did you punish yourself?!
He then said: Fast the month of Patience (Ramadan) and one day of every month.
The man replied: Give me more, I have strength!
The Messenger of God said: So why did you punish yourself?!
He then said: Fast the month of Patience (Ramadan) and one day of every month.
The man replied: Give me more, I have strength!
He replied: Then fast two days.
Increase me! he said.
Then fast three days.
Increase me! he said.
Then fast the Sacred months or don't. Fast the Sacred months or don't. Fast the Sacred months or don't.
He then gathered his three fingers in his other hand and then released them.
Increase me! he said.
Then fast three days.
Increase me! he said.
Then fast the Sacred months or don't. Fast the Sacred months or don't. Fast the Sacred months or don't.
He then gathered his three fingers in his other hand and then released them.
This is the only authentic Hadith where fasting Rajab can be inferred from directly. The purported Hadith "Rajab is God's month, Shabana is mine, and Ramadan is my ummahs" is rejected and weak, borderline fabricated.
Aside from Rajab being from the Sacred months, there is nothing authentically narrated about it's virtue: no special days, prayers, or actions.
Does that mean you shouldn't do anything in Rajab?
Absolutely not.
What does it mean then?
Does that mean you shouldn't do anything in Rajab?
Absolutely not.
What does it mean then?
It means that you sanctify the *entire month* with *general acts* of goodness as is the Sunnah for this month and all of the 4 Sacred months, and not rely on false attributions of *specific* events and acts.
Ibn Hajar said: There is nothing about the virtue of month of Rajab; not about fasting its entirety, or it in part, or specific night prayers in it, not a single authentic Hadith that holds up to scrutiny. I was preceded to this conclusion by al-Imam Ismail al-Harawi... (cont.)
As for the Hadith narrated about Rajab's virtue specifically, or fasting it specifically, or days from it specifically, then there are only two types: weak and fabricated." end from Tabyīn al-'Ajab of Ibn Hajar.
Reminder: This is from Ibn Hajar, who himself accepts weak Hadith in acts of virtue. For him to say this, means that these narrations about Rajab dont meet the *lowest* threshold for acceptability!
***But allow me to reiterate: ***
***But allow me to reiterate: ***
This just means you're left with the *general* guidance to do *any good deed* in this month. I know that having someone tell you "Do this, earn that" specifically gives you the warm and fuzzies, but its the easy way out.
Develop healthy, consistent and informed spiritual practices instead of banking on one time acts and special events.
Why is this important?
Because we are 60 days away from Ramadan.
Why is this important?
Because we are 60 days away from Ramadan.
So start acclimatimg your body to fasting, stand a bit more in prayer before bed time, cut back on things that have been holding you back.
Treat Rajab as your warm-up, Sha'baan as practice, and Ramadan as the race against yourself you're
destined to win.
The end.
Treat Rajab as your warm-up, Sha'baan as practice, and Ramadan as the race against yourself you're
destined to win.
The end.
