Rajab: Significance of Layl-at-ar-Ragha’eb

Today is the last day of the month of Jamadi as-Sani, which means tomorrow Thursday starts the sacred month of Rajab with all its glories and tidings to the faithful of the blessings of God in life and the bliss of paradise in the Hereafter.

Since the first Friday Eve of Rajab is the blessed Layl-at-ar-Ragha’eb or the Night of Devotion to Allah Almighty, and incidentally this blessed event is falling on the 1^st of this month itself, we present, for the benefit of our dear listeners and readers, a special feature on the merits of this very auspicious night.

We ought to know that the first Friday Eve of the month of Rajab is called Laylat ar-Ragha’eb or the Night of Desirability. The word Desirability here means the display of the innate desires of dedicated and pious Muslims for attaining the proximity of the Lord Most High. And this is possible only through acts of virtue. For the information of our readers, concerning this blessed night, a special observance has been narrated from Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). In the light of hadith, the merits of this night have been elaborated by the dedicated scholars of Islam, such as Seyyed Ibn Tawous in his book “Iqbal al-A’maal” and Allamah Mohammad Baqer Majlisi in “Bihar al-Anwaar”. Among the virtues of this observance is expiation of many sins. It is mentioned that when someone who has offered this prayer dies, on the first night of his burial God Almighty sends the reward for it in the most beautiful of forms, with a bright and gracious face, to greet him. Speaking in an eloquent manner, it says to him, “My friend, congratulations for having been delivered from every hardship and suffering.” “Who are you?’ he asks it, “By God, I have never seen a more beautiful face, never heard a sweeter speech, nor smelled a better fragrance than yours!” It says to him, “I am the reward of the prayer you offered on such and such a night of such and such a month in such and such a year. I have come tonight to fulfill my debt to you, to give you company in your solitude, and to relieve you of your loneliness. When the Trumpet is sounded I will shade you on the plain of resurrection. So rejoice, for you will not be missing your Lord’s grace!”

As for the manner of performance of the devotions of Laylat-ar-Raghaeb, it consists of keeping fast on the First Thursday of Rajab – that is, tomorrow the 30^th of March this year. After nightfall and between the Maghreb and Isha ritual prayers, a twelve-raka’ah prayer is performed in six parts, that is, after every two raka’ahs, the salaam to end is recited, followed by renewal of intention to perform the next two raka’ah, until the completion of all twelve rakha’ats. In each raka’ah, Surah al-Hamd is recited once, followed by Surat al-Qadr three times and Surat at-Tawhid 12 times. After completing this prayer say 70 times:

“Allahumma, Salle ala Muhammadinin-Nabi-yil-ummi, wa ala Alehi.

(It means: O Allah, bless Muhammad, the untaught Prophet, and his progeny).

Then put the forehead on the ground in prostration to recite 70 times the Arabic phrase:

Subbuhun, Quddusun Rabb’ul- Mala’ekate war-Rouh.

(It means: You are Glorious and Holy, O Lord of the angels and the Spirit).

Then on raising your head from prostration, say 70 times:

Rabbigh-fir warham, wa tajawaz amma ta’lam, innaka antal Aliul-A’zam!

(It means: Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me! Excuse what You know. Indeed You are the Most High and the Greatest)

Then again put the forehead on the ground in prostration and say 70 times:

Subbuhun, Quddusun Rabb’ul- Mala’ekate war-Rouh.

 (You are Glorious and Holy, O Lord of the angels and the Spirit).

Thereafter, beseech the Almighty Creator to grant you whatever requests mention your request which will be granted, God willing.

It should also be known that it is highly recommended to perform pilgrimage in the month of Rajab to the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the 8^th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). Those who cannot proceed on the journey to Mashhad can recite the Ziyarah or special salutation for the 8^th Imam. According to a hadith, undertaking pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) has a merit next to that of the annual Hajj. No wonder, in Iran, pilgrimage to the shrine of the 8^th Imam, is often called Hajj-e Foqara, which means the Hajj Pilgrimage of the poor and destitute people.

It is reported that Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS), the Prophet’s 4^th Infallible Heir, was once in Mecca for the Umrah of the month of Rajab. His days and nights were spent in prayer by the side of the holy Ka’ba. Most of the time, days and nights on, he was seen in the state of prostration, supplication and prayer. We pray to Allah to keep us firm on His path, and to always protect us from negligence in discharging our duties towards Him and the Imam of the Age, the Prophet’s 12^th and Last Infallible Successor, Hazrat Mahdi (AS), who, as per God’s promise will reappear in the end times to rid Planet Earth of all forms of oppression by establishing the global government of peace, prosperity and justice.

AS/ME