Rajab

Rajab (Arabic: رَجَب‎) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of the classical Arabic verb rajaba is "to respect" which could also mean "be awe or be in fear", of which Rajab is a derivative.

This article is about the month of the Islamic calendar. For other uses, see Rajab (disambiguation).
Islamic calendar
Months
  1. Muharram
  2. Safar
  3. Rabiʽ al-Awwal
  4. Rabiʽ al-Thani
  5. Jumada al-awwal
  6. Jumada al-Thani
  7. Rajab
  8. Sha'ban
  9. Ramadan
  10. Shawwal
  11. Dhu al-Qadah
  12. Dhu al-Hijjah

This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.

Muslims believe Rajab is the month in which ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the first Imam of Shia Muslims and fourth Caliph of Sunni Muslims, was born.

Rajab is also the month during which Isra' Mi'raj (journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then through the 7 Heavens to meet ALLAH ) of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, took place.

Rajab and Shaʿbān are a prelude to the holy month of Ramaḍān.

Description

The name of Rajab literally designated to the meaning respected, regarded, and admired. It seems that the word is originally a Semitic one. There are different points about the numeration of the days of the month. Some believe that the month is 29 days and others believe that the month is 30 days. There are two important events during the month, namely the birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Muhammad's first revelation in Shia tradition.[1] Just as the month honored before the appearance of Islam, the dignity of that is regarded by the very religion of Islam. Also during the month referred to the forbidding of war. There are also other names for the Rajab, such as Rajab Al-Morrajjab, Rajab Al-Asab.[2]

For Shia

The Shi'a believe that there are many virtues of the month. According to some narrations, the month belongs to Ali while Shaban is for Muhammad. Musa al-Kadhim (the seventh Imam of the Shia) has narrated that the Rajab is like a river in heaven which is whiter and sweeter than honey.[3]

Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the lunar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Rajab migrates throughout the seasons. The estimated start and end dates for Rajab, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, are:[4]

Rajab dates between 2018 and 2023
AH First day (CE/AD) Last day (CE/AD)
1439 18 March 2018 16 April 2018
1440 08 March 2019 05 April 2019
1441 25 February 2020 24 March 2020
1442 13 February 2021 13 March 2021
1443 02 February 2022 03 March 2022
1444 23 January 2023 20 February 2023

Events
  • The Battle of Tabouk took place in Rajab, 9 A.H. (October 630)
  • The second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 A.H. (September 633)
  • 6 Rajab: Many Sufi followers of the Chishti tariqa (path) celebrate the anniversary of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti
  • 7 Rajab: Twelvers observe the Festival of Imam Musa al-Kazim in dedication of Musā' al-Kādhim. This is so as to avoid missing celebrating the birth of the 7th Imam which took place Safar. In (Rajab), on the 7th day is celebrated the birth of 7th Imam.
  • 22 Rajab, Koonday (table cloth dinner) is organized by people friendly towards the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt or Shias among Shias of South Asia. It is an occasion for Shias to discuss Allah and the Ahlul Bayt and to strengthen ties among the community with love and compassion.

Births

Deaths

References
  1. Farid Ghasemlou (2014). Rajab.
  2. Mohsen Moeini (2014). Rajab.
  3. Mohsen Moeini (2014). Rajab.
  4. Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia
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