Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Month of Rajab Message No. 37

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Farhat Hashmi speaking………How are you all today?

In the month of Rajab, normally people in our society make preparations to offer special nawaafil (voluntary) prayers, fasts and acts of charity. When we look at such practices, we wonder what the proof is of its authenticity in our deen (religion).

According to a narration by Baihaqi, people in the days of ignorance used to respect the sacred months, especially the month of Rajab. They did not go for battles and used to sacrifice animals in the name of idols. However, Islam did not prescribe any special prayers for this month. So now what should we do and what should we not do?

For this we need to understand the spirit behind the voluntary prayers.

Bukhari has recorded a hadith in the Book of Iman (faith) according to which a man from Najd came to Allah's Messenger SAW asking about Islam. Allah's Messenger SAW said, "You have to offer prayers perfectly five times in a day and night (24 hours)." The man asked, "Is there any more (praying)?" Allah's Messenger SAW replied, "No, but if you want to offer the nawaafil (voluntary) prayers (you can)." Allah's Messenger SAW further said to him: "You have to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." The man asked, "Is there any more fasting?" Allah's

Messenger SAW replied, "No, but if you want to observe the nawaafil (voluntary) fasts (you can.)" Then Allah's Messenger SAW further said to him, "You have to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity)." The man asked, "Is there any thing other than the Zakah for me to pay?" Allah's Messenger SAW replied, "No, unless you want to give alms of your own." And then that man retreated saying, "By Allah! I will neither do less nor more than this." Allah's Messenger SAW said, "If what he said is true, then he will be successful”. (Book 2 hadith 44)

Through this hadith, the Prophet SAW has taught us the principle that it is obligatory to offer prayers, fast and pay Zakah however voluntary prayers are only allowed if they are done willingly and with pleasure. The Prophet SAW did not appoint any specific day, month or time for such voluntary prayers, but whatever a person does must be done willingly and with ease.

May Allah SWT grant us the opportunity to perform good deeds. Ameen.

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu