The month of Rajab is full of blessings and mercy. The Ahlul
Bayt (a) have described it as asabb (أصب), meaning that
the blessings of Allah pour down in abundance during this month
on believers who observe its rites like heavy rain (on dry
earth).
Sayyid Tawoos in his Iqbaal al-Amaal (one of the main
sources of mafatih al-jinaan) says that be aware that
when you enter the month of Rajab, you enter a sacred month of
haraam (prohibition). Allah (swt) has set aside four
months in the year wherein fighting is prohibited. These are
known as the months of haraam. Of course, fighting for
unjust causes and attacking innocent people in other months is
also unlawful but these four months have the additional sanctity
that Allah, the Master, has entirely prohibited fighting and
battle among his servants.
In the calendar, the last month of haraam we had was
the month of Muharram. Muharram too is a sacred month, yet we
know that in the sad history following the death of the Prophet
(s), so-called Muslims violated the sanctity of this month.
After cornering the grandson of the Prophet (s), his blessed
family, and his noble companions in the desert of Karbala, they
desecrated the sanctity of Muharram and committed the greatest
disobedience of Allah ever by battling with Imam Husayn (a) and
sending him and those who fought with him to their martyrdom --
even though fighting was prohibited throughout the month.
Therefore Sayyid Tawoos notes that the blessed arrival of the
month of Rajab brings with it a renewed sense of security and
peace as we hope to be protected by the rule of Allah, our
Master, from warfare and fighting from other fellow servants of
Allah. We haven’t felt this spirit of protection for five months
since the month of Muharram. Sayyid Tawoos makes a further
interesting observation. In this month, how bad would it be if
servants were to disobey Allah by fighting each other? But even
worse than that, when servants are protected from each other,
how disrespectful and ugly would it be if a servant were to
react to this blessing of Allah by warring against his Master,
by disobeying Him and sinning?
The most important act of this month is seeking forgiveness of
Allah (istighfar) that helps in moving aside the
curtains that cover our hearts. In this respect repetition of
the line
استغفر الله و اساله التوبة (astaghfirullaaha wa asaluhu at-tawbah)
has been recommended.
It is perhaps is in this month that Imam Zayn al-Abideen (a)
used to spend his nights in Makkah in front of the Ka’bah
reciting this line while in sajdah:
الهي عظم الذنب من عبدك فليحسن العفو من عندك (ilaahee, `adhuma
adh-dhanbu min `abdika, falyahsunil `afwu min indik)
O My God! Great indeed is the sin from your servant. Is it not
therefore fitting and proper that you should forgive him?
The dua “يا من ارجوه لكل خير” (yaa man arjoohu li kulli
khayr) is commonly recited after prayers during this month.
Many people have unknowingly misinterpreted the tradition
accompanying the dua and make these common mistakes:
- The tradition says to hold your beard in your left hand while
moving the index finger of your right hand. It doesn't say to
move your hand or your arm. Swinging your arm around left and
right doesn’t fit with what the tradition says. Instead, keep
your arm and hand steady and still and move only your pointing
finger back and forth.
- The narration actually says that the Imam (a) held his beard
and moved his finger throughout the whole dua -- not just the
part that begins with يا ذا الجلال و الاكرام (ya dhal
jalaali wal ikraam). This can be proven by
carefully examining the whole tradition.
- Women are exempted from the accompany rites and can simply
recite the dua while lifting their hands towards the sky as is
typical when asking from Allah.
Interested please contact Br. Mannan Ahmed or
Br. Waseem Mian - Due to extreme weather our class on Thursday
was cancelled. We will advise.
Website News
In the few upcoming months, Masjid Hamza will be redesigning its
website with a new look and feel. Filled with more information
such as:
Online Quiz programs
More Advertisements of Islamic Businesses
Employment Section
Calendar's
Monthly Program bulletins
Discussion Board
Computer Training Classes (Basic, Advance)
and much more..
Please email Br. Waseem at
Info@webmatrixstudios.com or you can send an email to
info@masjidhamza.com
if you have any suggestions, or comments. The main question we
would like ask you is "What would you like
to see on your website?"
