Rajab Has Started - How to Prepare Before Ramadan

The month of Rajab has begun, and it is not an ordinary month. Rajab is one of the four sacred months chosen by Allah ﷻ. Only Allah has the authority to declare something sacred or blessed (mubārak)-a person, a place, or a time. As Allah ﷻ says:

"Your Lord creates whatever He wills and chooses."
(Qur'an 28:68)

From His wisdom, Allah chose four months to be sacred. They are mentioned by number in the Qur'an and clarified by name in authentic hadith: Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, with three consecutive and Rajab standing alone.

Why Is Rajab Sacred?

Rajab is sacred for two important reasons:

1. Fighting is prohibited
   In the sacred months, Muslims are not permitted to initiate fighting or war unless they are attacked first. This reinforces peace and restraint during times Allah has honored.

2. Sins carry greater weight
   While sins are forbidden at all times, committing them during the sacred months is more grievous in the sight of Allah. Allah ﷻ warns us clearly:

   "So do not wrong yourselves during them."
   (Qur'an 9:36)

We are never supposed to wrong ourselves, but wrongdoing in sacred times and places is more severe-just as sins committed in Makkah are worse than sins committed elsewhere, and sins during Ramadan are worse than sins outside of it. Time and place matter in Islam.

Rajab: The Month of Planting

One of the most beautiful understandings passed down by our scholars is this:

• Rajab is the month of planting
• Sha'bān is the month of watering
• Ramadan is the month of harvesting

What you plant in Rajab and nurture in Sha'bān will determine what you reap in Ramadan.

Many people try to do everything all at once when Ramadan begins-fasting daily, praying long nights, reading Qur'an extensively-without any preparation. Because of this, they become exhausted after the first few days and slowly give up. This is why masājid are full at the beginning of Ramadan and gradually thin out afterward.

Rajab is the time to train yourself, spiritually and physically. Just as we prepare months in advance for weddings, graduations, or major life events, Ramadan-an opportunity for complete forgiveness and a clean slate-deserves even greater preparation.

Start Preparing Now

In Rajab, begin making a realistic plan for Ramadan:

• Set goals for prayer, Qur'an, fasting, charity, and character
• Gradually increase your acts of worship
• Create a sustainable routine instead of sudden intensity

Ask Allah sincerely:

"O Allah, if You allow me to reach Ramadan, help me worship You in the best way."

Beware of Innovations (Bid'ah)

Unfortunately, many practices have been incorrectly attached to the month of Rajab without any authentic evidence. Among them:

• Special prayers on the first night of Rajab
• Claiming specific days of Rajab have special fasting rewards
• Believing 'Umrah in Rajab is superior to other times
• Special du'ā' formulas tied specifically to Rajab
• Specifying the 27th night of Rajab as the confirmed date of Isrā' and Mi'rāj
• Singling out Rajab for grave visitation

None of these practices are supported by authentic Qur'an or Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said that the best guidance is his guidance, and our religion is already complete. Introducing new acts of worship-even with good intentions-is dangerous.

The guiding principle is simple:

If it were good, the Prophet ﷺ or his companions would have done it.

What Should We Do in Rajab?

• Continue established Sunnah acts (like fasting Mondays and Thursdays or the three white days if you already do so)
• Avoid sins, especially major ones, knowing their gravity is greater now
• Make sincere repentance
• Begin serious preparation for Ramadan

Let Rajab be the turning point. Say from your heart:

"O Allah, I am done with alcohol, gambling, ribā, smoking, and haram relationships. From this sacred month onward, I choose You."

A Month Many Overlook-Don't Be One of Them

Rajab passes by every year quietly, with little attention. But for the believer, it is a powerful opportunity. Start now. Plan now. Train now-so that when Ramadan arrives, you welcome it with strength, consistency, and longing.

May Allah ﷻ teach us what benefits us, keep us firm on the straight path, accept our deeds in Ramadan, make our last deeds our best deeds, and our last words the remembrance of Him.

Love you all for the sake of Allah.