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Rajab

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Rajab
Isra and Mi'raj
Native nameرَجَب (Arabic)
CalendarIslamic calendar
Month number7
Number of days29-30 (depends on actual observation of the moon's crescent)
Significant daysIsra and Mi'raj

Rajab (Arabic: رَجَب) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of the classical Arabic verb rajaba is "to respect"[1] which could also mean "be awe or be in fear", of which Rajab is a derivative.

This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months (including Muharram, Dhu al-Qadah and Dhu al-Hijjah) in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.[1]

Muslims believe Rajab is the month in which ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the 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) of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, took place.

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

Description

The word "Rajab" came from "rajūb (رجوب)", the sense of veneration or glorification, and Rajab was also formerly called "Mudhar" because the tribe of Mudhar did not change it but rather expected in its time other than the rest of the Arabs, who changed and altered in the months according to the state of war.

The name of Rajab literally means respected, regarded, and admired. It seems that the word is originally a Semitic one. There are two important events during the month, namely the birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muhammad's first revelation in Shia tradition. Also, during Rajab, war is forbidden. There are other names for the month, such as Rajab Al-Morrajjab, Rajab Al-Asab and Rajab Sharif.

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.

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:[2]

Rajab dates between 2021 and 2025
AH First day (CE/AD) Last day (CE/AD)
1442 13 February 2021 13 March 2021
1443 02 February 2022 03 March 2022
1444 23 January 2023 20 February 2023
1445 13 January 2024 10 February 2024
1446 01 January 2025 30 January 2025

Events

  • The Battle of Tabouk took place in Rajab, 9 AH (October 630).
  • The Second pledge at al-Aqabah took place in Rajab.
  • 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.
  • 27 Rajab, event of Isra and Mi'raj.
  • 27 Rajab 583 AH, Conquest of Jerusalem[3] by the Ayyubids.

Births

Deaths

References

  1. ^ a b Günay, H.Mehmet (2007). RECEB- An article published in 34th volume of Turkish Encyclopedia of Islam (in Turkish). Vol. 34 (Osmanpazari - Resuldar). Istanbul: TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi. pp. 506–507. ISBN 978-97-53-89456-2. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  2. ^ Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia
  3. ^ TDV Encyclopedia of Islam: Vol.36 (2009), p.339