Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
As Salaam o Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh!
Some Innovations Regarding the Month of Rajab
Abdullah bin Qu'ood
Member, the General Presidency for Iftaa and Research
A nice colorful flyer discussing some common innovations practiced in this month.
1) Celebration of the 27th night of Rajab believing it to be the night the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) took his night journey to Masjid-ul-Aqsaa (Israa´) and ascended to heaven (Mi'raaj). There is no authentic report proving that this was the actual night it occurred, and everything which has been reported in this regard cannot be attributed to the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) due to its weakness, as the scholars of hadeeth have stated. Even if it was authentically reported that it took place on this day, it still would not be permissible for Muslims to specify this day for performing some type of worship, so it is not allowed for them to celebrate it nor to specify that day for anything.
2) Salaat-ul-Raghaa`ib. Ibn Hajar, one of the greatest scholars of hadeeth who authored the well-known explanation of Saheeh al-Bukhaari called "Fat-h ul-Baari", may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
"As for this prayer, there is no authentic report mentioning that there is a specific prayer for the month of Rajab. All the hadeeths which mention the excellence of praying the Salaat-ur-Raghaa`ib on the first night of Jumu'ah of the month of Rajab are lies and fallacies which have no semblance of truth. This prayer is regarded as an innovation (bid'ah) according to the majority of scholars…The first time this innovation appeared was after the year 400 Hijri, and for this reason the earlier scholars did not know of it nor speak of it." (Lataa`if ul-Ma'aarif)
3) Fasting the month of Rajab or a part of it. Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
"No authentic hadeeth suitable for argument has been related mentioning the excellence of fasting the month of Rajab, nor fasting even a part of it, nor praying the night prayer (Qiyaam-ul-Layl), and Imaam Abu Ismaa'eel al-Harawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, has preceded me in explicitly saying this without any qualms." (Tabyeen al-'Ajab bimaa Warada fee Fadli Rajab)
4) Performing 'Umrah in Rajab. Nothing has been authentically reported of the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) that he performed 'Umrah in Rajab, so we cannot say that to perform 'Umrah in Rajab is better than other months, as some incorrectly believe. What has been authentically reported is that the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) performed 'Umrah four times, all of them in Dhu'l-Qa'dah except the one he performed with his Hajj (See Zaad-ul-Ma'aad, ibn-ul-Qayyim):
a) The 'Umrah of Hudaibiyyah in the sixth year of Hijrah, but the pagans prevented him from completing it.
b) The 'Umrah of Qadaa´ with which he made up the 'Umrah he did not complete. He performed this the following year.
c) The 'Umrah he performed from Ja'arraanah in the year of the Conquest of Makkah.
d) The 'Umrah which he performed with his hajj.
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The Yearly Celebration of
The Night of Israa´ and Mi'raj
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baz
All praise is for Allah; and may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his followers and his companions.
There is no doubt that the incident of Israa' and Mi`raj is (from) among the great signs of Allah, indicates the truthfulness of His Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam), and the greatness of his ((Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) position with Allah. It is also among the evidences showing the ability of Allah (Taa'la) and it is proof that Allah Taa'la is above all His creation. Allah has said:
"Glorified (and exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a Journey by night from al-Masjid al-Haram (at Makkah) to the Farthest Mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, sigs, etc.) Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." [17:1]
It has been narrated from the Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) of Allah (Taa'la) that Allah (Taa'la) ascended him to the heavens through the seventh heaven. Therein His Lord spoke to him what He intended and obligated upon him from the five prayers. Allah (Taa'la) initially obligated fifty prayers, however our Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) did not cease to demand and ask ease from Him, until Allah (Taa'la) made it five (in number). Hence there are five prayers obligated, but fifty in (number) reward; for every good action is equivalent to ten of its like. For Allah (Taa'la) is all praise and thanks for all His blessings.
This date on Isra' and Mi`raj occurred was not established in the authentic narrations [of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam)], neither during the month of Rajab nor in any other month. All that has been mentioned concerning the date of occurrence of al-Isra' and Mi`raj is deemed among the scholars of hadeeth to be unauthentic. Belonging to Allah is a great Wisdom in causing the people to forget the date of its occurrence. However, even if its date was confirmed, it would nonetheless be impermissible for the Muslims to distinguish that night from other nights by doing anything from among the acts of worship. Neither it would be permissible for them to celebrate it, as the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) and his companions neither celebrated it nor did they distinguish it with any special acts of worship.
Should such a celebration of that Night be lawful, the Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) would have clarified it to the people either by word or deed. And had such a thing occurred, it would have become known and common, and the companions would have transmitted it to us. The companions passed on from their Prophet (S) everything which Muslims are in need of. Never were they remiss or negligent with regard to religion. Indeed, they were the first to lead the way to every good. If the celebration of this night had been lawful, they would have been first to do it. The Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) also is the most sincere in guiding people. He most truly fulfilled his mission, and performed his noble duty. If the glorification and celebration of that night had something to do with Islam, the Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) would never have neglected it nor concealed it. Since nothing about this was narrated from the Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) and his companions, therefore glorification and celebration of that night was absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Islam, as Allah has perfected for this nation its religion, completed His favor upon it and rebuked and refuted the innovators who introduce into the religion that which Allah has not allowed.
And Allah (Taa'la), said: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [5:3]
And Allah (Taa'la), has also said:
"Or have they partners with Allah who have made laws for them in religion that which Allah allowed not? And had it not been for a decisive word (gone forth already), the matter would have been judged between them. And verily for wrongdoers is a painful torment." [Al-Shura, 21]
The Prophet (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) said:
" He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it will have it rejected." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
In another wording reported by Muslim:
"He who does an act which our matter is not (in agreement) with will have it rejected."
It is reported in the Sunan of Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi that al-`Irbad ibn Sariyah said,
"The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) gave us a sermon by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. We said, 'O Messenger of Allah, it is as though this is a farewell sermon, so counsel us.' He (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) said: 'I counsel you to fear Allah and to give absolute obedience even if a slave becomes your leader. Verily, he among you who lives (long) will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and that to the rightly guided (in beliefs and actions) Caliphs after me; cling to them stubbornly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is going astray and every going astray is in the Hell-Fire.' "
The narrations of such meaning are numerous. And indeed it has been confirmed that the Companions of the Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) as well as the early generations of pious scholars who followed, cautioned and warned against heresies and innovations. These warnings were not mentioned by them except for the fact that innovations are unnecessary additions to the religion. Innovations are something new to Islam which Allah has not given permission for. Also in performing these affairs, a resemblance of the enemies of Allah (from the Jews and Christians) occurs; in that, they added and innovated in their religions something that they had no permission from Allah. In addition, any innovation in the religion is implied by the person performing it that Islam is incomplete and has faults because by innovating and adding to Islam one accuses Islam of not being complete. This, of course, is well known to contain a great deal of gross corruption, vile actions, and a contradiction to the saying of Allah: This day, I have perfected your religion for you... as it is also an obvious contrast to the traditions of the Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam) that caution and warn against innovations.
I hope that what was mentioned from the evidences is sufficient and convincing enough for the seeker of the truth in rejecting this innovation (bid`ah) of celebrating the night of Isra' wal Mi`raj and warning against it because it has nothing to do in anyway with the religion of Islam
Since Allah has obligated to give Muslims sincere advice, to elucidate the Divine laws for them, and has forbidden concealing knowledge, I felt it necessary to call to attention my Muslim brothers against this innovation (bid`ah) which has spread throughout many cities so much so that the people thought it to be part of Islam.
Allah is responsible to correct the affairs of all the Muslims and grant them success in comprehending the religion and to give us, along with them, success in holding firm to the truth, ascertaining it, and leaving what opposes it; for Allah is Capable over all. May Allah bless and be merciful upon His Slave and Worshipper and Messenger (Sallallahu Aleihi Wasallam), his followers, and his companions.
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