5 Virtues of Month of Rajab

Muslims around the world are now welcoming the month of Rajab. This month is the seventh month in the Hijri calendar, following Jumadil Akhir. According to the Hijri calendar issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, 1 Rajab 1446 H falls on January 1, 2025.

In Islam, the month of Rajab holds unique significance. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam. Allah SWT says in Surah At-Taubah, verse 36:

اِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُوْرِ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِيْ كِتٰبِ اللّٰهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ مِنْهَآ اَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌۗ ذٰلِكَ الدِّيْنُ الْقَيِّمُ ەۙ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوْا فِيْهِنَّ اَنْفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ كَاۤفَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُوْنَكُمْ كَاۤفَّةًۗ وَاعْلَمُوْٓا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ ۝٣٦

Behold, the number of months, in the sight of God, is twelve months, [laid down] in God's decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; [and] out of these, four are sacred: this is the ever-true law [of God]. Do not, then, sin against yourselves with regard to these [months]. And fight against those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, all together-just as they fight against you, [O believers,] all together -and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him

Dartim, S.Pd., M.Pd., a lecturer in Islamic Religious Education, stated that the sacred months mentioned in the verse are understood as months with specific prohibitions. These four months are Dzulqa’dah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and Rajab.

Dartim explained that before the advent of Islam, the Arabs traditionally had a penchant for war. However, they eventually agreed not to engage in warfare during certain periods, one of which was the month of Rajab.

“Thus, Rajab is often referred to as the empty or quiet month. During Rajab, the Arabs remained silent and at peace,” said the lecturer of Islamic History.

The month of Rajab marks several significant moments in the development of Islam. Numerous important events during the Prophethood of Muhammad SAW occurred in this month

There are five reasons why the month of Rajab is special:

1. Isra Mi'raj of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
   Isra Mi'raj was the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad SAW from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa and then to Sidratul Muntaha. This event took place on the night of the 27th of Rajab during the tenth year of Prophethood.
2. The Command to Change the Direction of the Qibla
   Initially, Muslims faced Baitul Maqdis (Jerusalem, Palestine) as their qibla (direction of prayer). According to Almanhaj.com, the Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the qibla to the Kaaba at Masjid al-Haram in the month of Rajab in the second year of Hijri.
3. The Command for Five Daily Prayers
   The obligation of five daily prayers was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW while he was at Sidratul Muntaha. This occurred during the Isra Mi'raj event.
4. The Victory of Islam in the Battle of Tabuk
   The Battle of Tabuk was fought between the Muslims and the Romans during the month of Rajab in the 9th year of Hijri. This battle took place in Tabuk, located between Wadi al-Qura and Sham. The Romans eventually made peace and agreed to pay tribute. The Battle of Tabuk was also the last battle participated in by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
5. The First Migration to Abyssinia
   Before the migration to Medina, the Prophet Muhammad SAW encouraged the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia in the month of Rajab during the fifth year of Prophethood. This migration aimed to protect the Muslims from the persecution of the Quraysh disbelievers.

Dartim, referencing Ibn Abbas RA, a prominent Quranic interpreter from the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW, explained that Ibn Abbas interpreted Surah At-Taubah verse 36 as emphasizing the heightened consequences of sin during the month of Rajab. Ibn Abbas viewed sins committed in this month as bearing greater weight compared to other months.

“This month encourages us to avoid sinful acts. Especially as the verse continues, ‘And do not wrong yourselves.’ This serves as motivation for us,” Dartim elaborate

Although no specific Quranic verse prescribes particular acts of worship in Rajab, Dartim encouraged Muslims to increase their acts of devotion during this special month. These could include the five daily prayers, voluntary fasting, ayyamul bidh fasting, and other deeds.

He also urged Muslims to engage in self-reflection or muhasabah. This involves introspection on one’s sins, mistakes, and shortcomings to become a better person. Considering that Rajab is close to the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims should prepare themselves as well as possible.

Regarding its philosophical meaning, Dartim highlighted that the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s hijrah, which occurred in Rajab, symbolizes a transition toward improvement. The term hijrah linguistically means moving or migrating.

“We can interpret Rajab as the month of transformation. A time to transition from bad to good, from persistent sinful acts to ceasing them altogether,” Dartim concluded.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva