Bid'ah

﷽

Bid’ah in the month of Rajab

Innovation in religion is one of the serious matters which go against the Book of Allah and the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not die until after the religion had been perfected. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”

[al-Maa’idah 5:3]

It was reported that ‘Aa’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.”

(Agreed upon).

According to a report narrated by Muslim:

“Whoever does an action which is not a part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”

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Some people have innovated a number of practices in Rajab, including the following:

• Salaat al-Raghaa’ib. This prayer became widespread after the first and best centuries, especially in the fourth century AH. Some liars fabricated this prayer, which is done on the first night of Rajab.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Salaat al-Raghaa’ib is bid’ah according to the consensus of the scholars of religion, such as Maalik, al-Shaafa’i, Abu Haneefah, al-Thawri, al-‘Oozaa’i, al-Layth and others . The hadith that is narrated concerning it is a lie according to the consensus of the scholars who have knowledge of hadith.

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• It was reported that major events happened in the month of Rajab, but none of these reports are true.

It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was born on the first night of Rajab, and that he received his Mission on the twenty-seventh, or twenty-fifth of this month. None of this is correct. It was reported with an isnaad that is not saheeh from al-Qaasim ibn Muhammad that the Prophet’s Night Journey (al-Israa’) took place on the twenty-seventh of Rajab. This was denied by Ibraaheem al-Harbi and others.

One of the innovations that take place during this month is the recitation of the story of the Mi’raaj, and celebrations to commemorate it on the twenty-seventh of Rajab, or singling out this night to perform extra acts of worship such as Qiyaam al-Layl or fasting during the day, or rejoicing and celebrating.

Some celebrations are accompanied by haraam things such as mixing of men and women, singing and music, all of which are not permitted on the two Eids which are prescribed in Islam, let alone innovated celebrations. Add to that the fact that there is no proof that the Israa’ and Mi’raaj happened on this date.

Even if it were proven, that is no excuse for holding celebrations on this date, because nothing of the kind has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or from his companions, may Allah be pleased with them, or from any of the Salaf (early generations) of this Ummah. If it were a good thing, they would surely have done it before us. May Allah help us.

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• Salaat Umm Dawood halfway through Rajab.

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• The du’aa’s which are recited specifically during Rajab are all fabrications and innovations.

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• Visiting graves specifically in Rajab is bid’ah, because graves are to be visited at any time of the year.

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We ask Allah to make us of those who venerate the things that He has made sacred and adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) outwardly and inwardly, for He is the One Whom we should ask and He is Able to do that. And the close of our request is: praise be to Allah, the Lord of ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).