27th Rajab

Alhamdulillaah, the month of Rajab is here. It is a precursor of Ramadhaan so we are happy and thankful to Allaah that it is here. However there are many misconceptions about this month that many people have and you will see many emails, etc being circulated talking about the various acts of ibaadah that one is recommended to do in the month of Rajab.
What is the reality of such Ibaadaat?
Let us examine that in the light of the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Misconception : You might also hear people say that one should fast a lot in this month. Again singling out this month to fast thinking that there’s some special reward or merit is NOT according to the Sharee’ah that our beloved Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam) brought and it is introducing something in the deen when there’s no need to. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”

(Bukhaari)

What about al-Israa’ wal Mai’raaj?

Indeed, one night the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam) was granted the Night Journey of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj, when he was first transported from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsa and then onwards, he ascended to the Heavens and Allaah spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him.
This is definitely part of our Aqeedah. It says so in the Qur’aan…

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ

[al-Isra’:1]

If celebrating this event was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) would certainly have told his ummah about it, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) everything that we need to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so.

And if it wasn’t the practice of our Beloved Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) or his Sahaabah, then, why, O Muslim, do YOU insist on doing it???

Isn’t the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) the best example to be followed?

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“In the Messenger of Allah you have a fine example for he who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah abundantly.”

(Surah al-Ahzaab: 21)

​But everyone does so!

Sure, I know, you have seen your fathers and grandfathers doing so. But, let me remind you, O Muslim, that it is NOT our forefathers that we are supposed to follow. Rather, our worship should be based on proofs from the Quraan and authentic Sunnah, and NOT culture or tradition.

Just look at what Allaah says about people who insist on following their forefathers!

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ قَالُواْ بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءنَا أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ

“When it is said to them: ‘Follow what Allah has sent down,’ they reply: ‘We will follow that which we found our fathers upon,’ even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided.”

(Surah al-Baqarah: 170)

So, remember, my dear Muslim brothers and sisters in Islaam, DO NOT single out the 27th for your worship because it was NOT the practice of the Prophet OR his Sahaabah. If however, you pray every single night and it is part of your routine to stay up for worship, then there is no harm. Similarly, if you are in the habit of fasting Mondays and Thursdays, or during Ayyaam Beed (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islaamic month), and the 27th of Rajab falls on one of those days, then it is OK to do so. The problem arises when one thinks that this night is special and singles out this night or day for worship, thinking they are getting extra reward for their worship. But this is contrary to the Sunnah.So Keep in your practice all that ibadaah which did the practice of Prophet Muhammad Salallaho Ale he wasalam.that all are called sunnah.

And Allaah knows best.