Rajab Month is one of the special months in the Hijriyah calendar. This month is included in four haram months (al-ashhur al-Hurum) which is glorified by Allah SWT. In addition to having a high spiritual value, the month of Rajab also holds many historical stories and virtues that can be a lesson for Muslims.

Allah SWT. Said in the letter at-Taubah verse 36, related to four haram months, Rajab was among them.

اِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُوْرِ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهpet وَالْاَرْضَ مِنْهَآ اَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۗذٰ lo

Meaning: "Indeed, the number of months according to God is twelve months, (as) in God's decree when He created heaven and earth, among which there are four haram months. That is (the decree) of a straight religion, then you should not wrong yourself in (the four moon),"

Also read: Divine Light Is Living With Al-Quran

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Why is the month of Rajab so glorified?

The word "Rajab" comes from the verb "Rajaba" which means respect or glorifying. In Islam, the Rajab month is called one of the haram months, which is the moon in which it is strictly forbidden to do warfare or hostility. Allah SWT said in the Koran:

" Indeed, the numbers of the moon in the sight of Allah are twelve months, in God's decree when He created heaven and earth, including four haram months ..." (QS. At-Taubah: 36).

The four haram months are Dzulqa'dah, Dzulhijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. These months are given a special status to emphasize the importance of peace, worship, and increase in the spirituality of Muslims.

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Isra Micraj: The Great Events of the Month of Rajab

The month of Rajab is also associated with several important events in Islamic history, one of which is Isra Mikraj . In this event, the Prophet Muhammad was carried out by Allah SWT from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to the Aqsa Mosque in Palestine, then ascended to Sidratul Muntaha.

Isra Micraj becomes an important moment in Islamic history because of this event Muslims get the command to perform five daily prayers. This is the silence of the Rajab Moon.

Besides Isra Micraj, there are several other events that occurred in the month of Rajab, such as the first migration of Muslims to Habasyah. This hijrah shows how Muslims face severe challenges in spreading da'wah and protecting their beliefs from the threat of the Meccan polytheists.

The virtue of the Rajab Month

Rajab Moon has many virtues that make it the right time to increase worship and draw closer to Allah SWT. Here are some of the virtues:

1. The Haram Month which is glorified as one of the haram months, the Rajab Moon is a time to increase good deeds and stay away from sin. In this month, all good deeds are multiplied by the reward, as well as the sin committed will be heavier the scales. This month as a warm -up to welcome the holy month of Ramadan.
2. The right time to repent the month of Rajab is often considered as the beginning of preparation for the month of Ramadan. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to multiply forgiveness, read the Koran, give alms, improve relations with Allah SWT, and improve the quality of worship.
3. The virtue of fasting even though there is no special obligation to fast in the month of Rajab, fasting this month is still considered the main sunnah worship.

          Muslims can run sunnah fasting, such as fasting Monday-Thursday or Ayyamul Bidh fasting (13, 14, and 15 Hijriyah) this month.

4. Increasing prayer and dhikr Rajab is the right time to increase prayers and dhikr. In Islamic traditions, there are prayers that are often read this month:

أللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ رَجَبَ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان

 "Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sya'ban wa Balighna Ramadan."

          (O Allah, we bless us in the month of Rajab and Sya'ban, and convey us to the month of Ramadan).

Also read: Mustajab's Praying Time is granted

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The practice recommended in the month of Rajab

To maximize the virtue of the Rajab month, here are some practices that can be done:

1. Increasing Istighfar and Repentance

Rajab Month is the right time for self -introspection and improve relations with Allah SWT. Expand reading Istighfar as a form of forgiveness for the sins that have been committed.

2. Fasting sunnah

As mentioned, fasting in the month of Rajab is one of the main practices. Although not mandatory, fasting the sunnah in this month can increase the reward and draw closer to God.

3. Giving alms

Alms is one of the most recommended practices, especially in illicit months like Rajab. By charity, we not only help others, but also clean up wealth and soul.

4. Read the Koran and multiply dhikr

Rajab Month is the right time to increase daily worship, such as reading the Koran and dhikr. Make this practice a consistent habit until the coming of Ramadan.

Also read: Tarhib Ramadan: Welcoming the Holy Month with Joy and Maximum Preparation

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Conclusion

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The month of Rajab is a month full of blessings and opportunities to improve themselves. By understanding its meaning, story, and virtue, Muslims can use it to improve the quality of worship and improve relations with Allah SWT. Don't miss the opportunity this month to increase good deeds, improve yourself, and prepare yourself to welcome the month of Ramadan.

Hopefully we are all given the ease to use the Rajab Moon as well as possible and get abundant blessings from Allah SWT.

Wallahu'alam