Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This month was regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. It is also deemed to be a prelude to the month of Ramadhan, because the month of Ramadhan follows it after the intervening month of Sha’ban. Therefore, when the Holy Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words:
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O Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban and make us reach Ramadhan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadhan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)."
Although the month of Rajab has aforesaid merits, yet no specific way of worship has been prescribed by the Shari’ah in this month. However, some people have invented some special rituals or practices in this month which are not supported by reliable resources of the Shari’ah or are based on some unauthentic traditions. We would like to explain here the correct position about them.
- Celebration of Lailatul Mi’raj
It is generally believed that the great event of Mi’raj (ascension of the Holy Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, to the heavens) took place in the night of the 27th of Rajab. Therefore, some people celebrate the night as “Lailatul Mi’raj”, the night of ascension to heavens.
Indeed, the event of Mi’raj was one of the most remarkable episodes in the life of our Beloved Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He was called by Almighty Allah. He traveled from Makkah to Baitul-Muqadis and from there he ascended the heaves through the miraculous power of Allah. He was honored with a direct contract with his Creator at a place where even the angels had no access. This was the unique honor conferred by Allah to the Holy Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, alone. It was the climax of the spiritual progress which is not attained by anybody except him.
No doubt the night in which he was blessed with this unparalleled honor was one of the great nights explained in the history of this world. But, Islam has its own principles with regard to the historic and religious events. Its approach about observing festivals and celebrating days and nights is totally different from the approach of other religions. The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, did not prescribe any festival or any celebration to commemorate an event from the past, however remarkable it might have been. Instead, Islam has prescribed two annual celebrations only. One is Eid-ul-Fitr, and the other is Eid-ul-Adha. Both of these festivals have been fixed at a date on which the Muslims accomplish a great 'ibaadah (worship) every year. Eid-ul-Fitr has been prescribed after the fasts of Ramadhan, while Eid-ul-Adha has been fixed when the Muslims perform the Hajj annually. None of these two Eids is designed to commemorate a particular event of the past which has happened in these dates.
This approach is indicative of the fact that the real occasion for a happy celebration is the day in which the celebrators themselves have accomplished remarkable work through their own active effort. As for the accomplishments of our ancestors, their commemoration would not be restricted to a particular day or night. Instead, their accomplishments must be remembered every day in the practical life by observing their teachings and following the examples they have set for us.
I will repeat what brother Lajawab said: