Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar. The great month of Rajab is one of the four sacred months. This month and the following Shaban and the month of Ramadan are the greatest months in the year.

There is a hadith that the month of Rajab is the month of Allah and Shaban is the month of the Holy Prophet (sw) and the month of Ramadan is the month of the Muslim Ummah.

It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Shaban. Therefore, When the moon of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar) was sighted, the Messenger of Allah (sw) used to read the following dua (prayer):

Allaahumma baarik lanaa fi rajaba wa sha’baana wa ballighnaa ramadan.

Oh Allah! Grant us blessings in the months of Rajab and Shaban and take us forth to Ramadan.

Imam Musa Al- Kadhim, 7th Shiite Innocent Imams (Pbuh) stated:

Rajab is a great month, during which Allah multiplies the rewards of good deeds and omits the sins.

These are some useful points for this month:

1. Fasting

It is highly recommended to fast in this month of Rajab even for one day at least. A hadith stated by holy Prophet (sw):

Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of the Hell will be away from him a distance of one year’s journey, and whosoever fasts 3 days in Rajab, will be entitled for the Paradise.

Imam Ali (as) used to fast the whole month of Rajab. Many of his followers do the same.

2. Seeking Forgiveness (Estighfaar)

The Prophet (sw) used to say:

Rajab is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah; He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful. It is highly recommended to repeat ‘Astaghfirullaah’.

3. Charity (Sadaqa)

There is a big reward for sadaqa and charity in the month of Rajab. Those who cannot fast may give sadaqa to the poor every day.

4. Repeating ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allah’ 1000 times.

5. Repeating ‘Astaghfirullaaha zul jalale wal Ikraam min jamee' al zonoobe wal aathaam‘1000 times.In order to enter Ramadan in the best possible manner, one has to prepare himself in the months of Rajab and Shaban.

It has been said that Rajab is the month to sow the seeds of good actions, Shaban is the month in which we should water those seeds and Ramadan is the month in which we reap the harvest.

May Allah grant you more blessings in this month and every month to do more for the real future in the Hereafter.

Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) used to recite the following Dua, everyday, in the Month of Rajab, after Fajr and Maghrib prayers:

O he from whom I ask for and expect fulfillment in every good (I do); and in whom I confide to seek safety from His displeasure for every evil I do!

O He who gives much in return of very little (good deeds)! O He who puts into the hands of the supplicant what he asks for, O He who (also) let needy, who does not ask for, have what he needs, though he remembers Him not, Feels compassion, and takes pity on them!

Give me as a gift good in all my objectives in this world and in the Hereafter, let me free myself from evil in all my activities in this world and in the Hereafter, because, surely, what Thou gives never goes waste or grows less, and from Thy bounties let me have more and more O the Generous Compassionate.