ISLAM

The significance of the month of Rajab

M. Inthikab Zufer

The planet earth is created by the Almighty Allah, yet some land, some places are more sacred than others.

Offering prayers at Haram Sharif in Makka-al Mukarrama and Madina Munawara carry more virtues than offering prayers at other places.

In the same manner some months are more sacred than others. One such sacred month is the month of Rajab. The first night of Rajab (when moon is sighted) is among the sacred nights in which the supplications are accepted. Hazrat Ibna Soolki (Allah’s Mercy be on him) pleaded to Allah that He may die on the first night of Rajab.

Journey of Mi’raj

The holy month of Rajab can be highlighted for many reasons but the most important one can be The Journey of Mi’raj, which our beloved Prophet Muhammed Sallahualaihiwasaallim was ascended towards Allah through a vehicle named Burak meeting all Prophets, witnessing the comfort of hevan and the torture of Hell and finally receiving Salah (prayer) as a gift for Muslims.

Allah’s Messenger says, “In Paradise there is a canal named Rajab. Its water is whiter than milk, cooler than ice and sweeter than honey. The one who observes even a single fast in Rajab, he/she will be entitled to drink its water.”

Once a companion, Hazrat Sobaan (Allah be pleased with him) was with Allah’s Messenger. They came across a few graves. Allah’s Messenger became sad and said, “Sobaan, people buried here are punished. I prayed to Allah to curtail their punishment, Had they observed a single fast in Rajab and remained awake for just one night worshipping, they would have been saved from this punishment in their graves.” The companion asked, “Fasting only for a day and remaining awake busy worshipping would have saved them?”

He replied, “Yes,. I swear upon the one in whose hand my soul is, there is no Muslim man or woman who if observes just one fast in Rajab and remains busy worshipping the Almighty Allah for just one night, He writes a year’s worshipping in his/her book of deeds.” A year’s worshipping in the manner that a person observed fasts all throughout the year and remained busy worshipping the Almighty Allah all throughout the night.

Blessing

Such is the blessing of Rajab. Grab it and earn virtues. A companion Hazrat Azizuddin Bin Abdussalam (Allah be pleased with him) says, “That person is ignorant who stops another from fasting in the month of Rajab.”

A man came to Allah’s Messenger and said, “I am weak and unable to observe fasts for the whole month of Rajab.

What should I do?” He replied, “Fast on the first day, fifteenth day and the last day of Rajab. You will get virtues of fasting for the whole month.” If a person is not in a position of observing fast in Rajab, is there a way out for him/her to earn virtues? Of course, there is.

Allah’s Messenger answered, “If a person is unable to observe fast in Rajab, then he should give a roti (bread) in charity (Khairat) every day.” Again someone raised a question, “What one should do if one is not in a position to offer even that much. He replied, “Here is a supplication. Recite it every day.”

Allah’s Messenger says, “On the first night of Rajab, the Almighty Allah looks at my people and pardons the sinners, gives rewards to those who offer repentance (taubaa) and allows His nearness to those who do His remembrance.

The one who observes fasts for the whole month of Rajab is called by the Almighty Allah and He declares, “O My servant, you have a right over me. Ask whatever you want. I swear upon me. Ask whatever you want. I swear upon My Honour and Glory that I will not reject your plea. You will get a place beneath My (Divine) Throne and you are My loved one among all my creations. You deserve respect and there is no curtain between you and Me.”

Hazrat Salmaan Faarsi (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “The one who observes a fast in Rajab, it is as if he has fasted for one thousand years, freed one thousand slaves and the one who does little charity in Rajab, it is as if he did charity of one thousand dinars, and for each hair that is on his body one thousand virtues will be recorded, his ranks will be raised and his one thousand sins will be written off, and for fast and charity he gets virtues of offering one thousand Hajj and one thousand Umrah, he will get one thousand palaces in paradise.

Hazrat Ali (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “In the month of Rajab, ask for forgiveness extensively (i.e. recite istegfar) because this is the month in which the Almighty Allah frees some people from Hell.”

Istegfar

It does not take much time to recite istegfar, but its reward is so rich, that no wise person would like to miss it. Who knows how many of us will get the opportunity of earning such a rich reward in the next year, so grab the opportunity before the time runs out. Some of the scholars mentioned that Rajab has other names: sharh Allah, rajab, rajab mudar, munsil al-asinna, al-asamm, al-asabb, munaffis, mutahhir, mu’alla, muqim, harim, muqashqish, mubarri`, and fard With this let us all raise our hands to Allah and pray through the blessings of the most blessed creation, the rose of Madeena Muhammed sallahualaihiwasallim and the blessings of the Holy month of Rajab, May Allah forgive all our sins May Allah give us a peaceful death May Allah grant us the privilege to see our Prophet sallahualahiwasallim in our dreams

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Muslim World League holds International Conference for Dialogue in Spain

Makkah al-Mukarramah

Carrying out the invitation of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud for dialogue and his response to the requests of Muslim Scholars to hold an International Conference for Dialogue for which interested people of different divine faiths and cultures will be invited, the Secretariat General of Muslim World League is holding an International Conference for Dialogue under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in the City of Madrid which is now on till July 18.

Distinguished personalities of different divine faiths will be participating in Dialogue and its subjects will relate to existence of human societies, international cooperation, human rights, issues of security, peace and coexistence in the world.

Dr. Abdulla bin Abdul Mohsin Al Turky, Secretary General of Muslim World League and member of Assembly of the Great Theologians of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said:

The initiative which the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques - May Allah Protect Him - launched for Dialogue among the followers of divine faiths, civilisations and cultures and approved by the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue which the Muslim World League organised in Al Makkah al Mukarramah during the period from 30/05 - 3/6/1429H, is an international call from Makkah al Mukarrah, soil of the revelation and Islam and Kibla of Muslims, reiterating that the initiative has gained the Islamic unanimity that emerged clearly through the call of Makka Al Mukarramah issued by the Muslim Scholars and Thinkers who represented the Muslim Ummah in the conference.

Dr. Abdulla, explained that the Muslim World League has received many telephone calls from scholars, personalities and international, Islamic institutions and research centres emphasising the importance of holding an International Conference with the participation of distinguished personalities from the followers of the different divine faiths and culture,s thinkers and lovers of justice and peace to discuss the call of Makkah al Mukarramah which contains what the Muslims agreed on and prepare a practical program for an International Dialogue aimed at building a humanitarian future strengthened by religious beliefs, values, morals and community to build bridges of acquaintance, understanding and coexistence among people, nations and different factions and to invite human beings to go back to their creator and to ask for inspiration of what was revealed to his messengers.

Dr. Turky said that the International Conference for Dialogue will discuss the importance of the Dialogue among the followers of divine faiths, civilisations and cultures and study the cooperation of societies regardless of their religions and cultures in common human values to fulfil justice, security and peace and to contribute in spreading righteousness and avoiding dirty acts and depravities and to maintain family solidarity and to face lesions of terrorism, injustice, drugs and other human tragedies.

Dr. Turky explained that distinguished personalities of the followers of divine faiths and considered human civilisations and cultures would discuss the subjects of the conference through four points.

1. Dialogue and its religious civilisational origins, will discuss the subject of Dialogue with the followers of the divine faiths and eastern philosophies.

2. Dialogue and its importance in human society, it contains the discussion of Dialogue and communication of civilisations and cultures and impact of Dialogue on peaceful coexistence and international relationship and in facing calls of conflicts and end of the history.

3. Humanitarian interplay in the fields of Dialogue, participants will discuss in it the moral reality in the contemporary human society and the importance of religion and values in combating crimes, drugs and corruption and the relationship of religion and family in stability of society and responsibility of human being in protecting the environment.

4. Mending and developing Dialogue, participants will discuss through it future of Dialogue, efforts of countries and international organisation in strengthening Dialogue and to face its obstacles and importance of media and its impact in spreading culture of Dialogue and coexistence among nations.

Dr. Turky indicated that the Kingdom of Spain has been selected as the venue to hold the conference in view of its historical heritage among the followers divine faiths which witnessed coexistence and prosperity which contributed in shaping humanitarian civilisation.

On this occasion Dr. Turky has extended his appreciation to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud for their concern on Muslims affairs and humanitarian issues and for their support for islamic work which is implemented by Islamic organisations headed by Muslim World League and has expressed thanks and appreciation to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al Faisal for its concern on explaining the real image of Islam and its contribution in the international cooperation and stability.

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Why Islam?

M. B. M. Mahir

The Eminent Dr. Said Ramadan of Egypt, director Islamic Center, Geneva and Ambassador at large of Saudi Arabia visited Sri Lanka as the guest of the Government of Sri Lanka in the year 1966. He conducted series of lectures in all parts of our island and was accorded a civil reception by the then Mayor of Colombo.

He was a scholar in Arabic and obtained his doctorate in Islamic law. He identified three major problems confronting the world of Islam. He edited an Arabic Journal entitled “Al Muslimoon” (The Muslims) in which he wrote an impressive article on “Why Islam?” (Wa Islama) in which he mentions many relevant matters of Islamic importance.

Islam being the latest religion, recognising all previous religions has the singular advantage of cohabiting and collaborating with all norms of faith with amity and understanding hence it is very essential that Muslims recognise the significance of co-existing with different norms of religions.

Even though human beings have divided of religions in to watertight compartments, practically it is not so as in life. A liaison between communities and religions is very necessary for the effective function of human society. This is one aspect identified by Dr. Ramadan.

The Quranic injunction that to”obey Allah and follow the Prophet and obey those who are at the helm of affairs” clearly demonstrate the spirit of Islam enabling Muslims to understand and practice the unique quality of living peacefully and honourably with other members of faith.

Paying obscience to Allah is the supreme sacrifice a Muslim must practice and to follow the life and saying of the Prophet (sal) is yet another way that leads a Muslim to glory and honour. The other major obligation to obey the people at the helm of affairs is less practiced in and among the Muslims.

In life lot of people are at the helm of affairs. In a Mosque it is the Imam, in the family it is the head, in the school it is the principal, in the field of sports and the like it is the captain in a State or nation it is the leader so the obligation of obeying and acting accordingly is a virtuous act in the spirit of Islam.

Muslims must ponder over their state of affairs. Must look around and observe the happenings of the world community. The degrading situation confronted by Islam and Muslims are as a result of their own disregard to their own religion and their inability to adopt in accordance with Islam.

Sir. Seyed Ameer Ali in his famous book “The sprit of Islam” deals with the velour and vigour of the early Muslims in safeguarding the faith and maintaining the true spirit of Islam. He says “Muslims are basically messenger of bravery, truth and uniformity.”

The globalisation and internationalisation of Islam and Muslims is well depicted in the poems of Allama Iqbal who says “China and Arabia is ours, India is ours, being Muslims the whole world is ours” (sino Arab hamara Hindustan hamara, ham Muslimain wathanhey share jehan hamara) This is the approach that is needed among Muslims today. This sprit must prevail between all world communities in order to establish peace, equality and universality.

Why Islam? Because it is a way of life that embraces the entirety of humanity and propagates the theory of international understanding.

Why Islam? Yes it is the religion of peace. The Prophet of Islam proclaimed that a Muslim should spread peace and must be peaceful within himself and peaceful with others. Wishing all and sundry peace be on you (Assalamu Alaikum) is a unique way of life of Muslims all over the earth.

Why Islam? As Islam is an international Religion, the practical way of life among Muslims living everywhere should demonstrate this trend and their approach should prove the unique aspect of Oneness that is Islam.

Why Islam? Being the last and the latest religion revealed by Almighty Allah to mankind Islam and Muslims have a responsibility to protect and practice the teaching of the Holy Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet (Sal) in world and deeds to exhibit true nature of Islam. Basically a believer or Mumin recognises all other religions, their Prophets and preachers, their books and messages and respects them in accordance with this faith.

A Muslim is one from whose hands and minds the humanity is safe and secure and he is a messenger of peace, propagating goodwill and good conduct, good qualities and good norms in society.

The great saying of the Holy Quran “Amanna Sallama” ‘we believe, we surrender’ are the oath of submission by Muslim to Allah Almighty. This oath connotes the real purpose of life and its journey in which man confronts many situations which cast a powerful influence in his life until his demise and he meets His Lord, the Master, the Sustainer and the Merciful Allah, the only One.