ISLAMIC CALENDAR
5 - Jumaada al-Awwal
DEFINITION
This is the first month of summer, and
"Jumada" literally means dry. This month
has no special rules and no specific customs arepracticed during it.
SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS
-
The Battle "Moota" took place in 8 AH, awar against
infidels in which the Holy Prophet (SAW) did not participate. The
battle is named after a famous city in Syria (Moota). Zaid Ibn Haritha
(RA) was the first appointed General by the Holy Prophet (SAW)
-
In the same battle Khalid ibn Walid (4th general
of the Battle of Moota) was proclaimed by the Holy Prophet (SAW) as being
"one of the swords of Allah"
-
The Holy Prophet (SAW) married his first beloved
wife Khadijah (RA) 15 years prior to Prophecy
DEATHS
-
Zaid Ibn Haritha (RA), Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib (RA) and
Abdullah Ibn Rawaahah met martyrdom in 8 AH
-
Abdullah Ibn Uthman (RA) passed away
-
Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Holy
Prophet (SAW) passed away 32 years prior to prophecy
6 - Jumaada ath-Thaanee
DEFINITION
This is the second of the summer months. This
month has no special rules and no specific customs are practiced during it.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1.
Battle of Salaasil took
place in 8 AH
2.
Abu Salama (RA) died in
the year 4 AH
7 - Rajab
DEFINTION
Rajab is derived from the word Rajaba meaning "to respect." This is one
of the four sacred months in which fighting was forbidden prior to Islam. It is
also known as Rajab al Fard where Fard means alone, because this month comes
alone, separated from the other three consecutive sacred months.
This
month is also deemed to be a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because the month
of Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha’baan. Therefore, when
the Holy Prophet (SAW) sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah
(SWT)
“O
Allah, make the month of Rajab and Sha’baan blessed for us and let us reach the
month of Ramadan (ie prolong our life upto Ramadan so that we may benefit from
its merits and blessings).”
There
are several events related to this month which have no religious significance
associated with them. No specific ways of worship have been prescribed by the
Shari’ah for this month; however some special rituals and practices have been
invented which are not supported by reliable resources and are based on
unauthentic traditions and are classified as innovation. These include
increasing worship throughout the month of Rajab, celebrating the night journey
of the Holy Prophet (SAW) to al-Quds, Jerusalem and from there his ascension to
the Heavens on the 26th of the month and performing a sacrificial
offering on the 27th of Rajab and then standing in voluntary prayer
throughout the night.
SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS
1.
The
Holy Prophet (SAW) ascended to Heaven on the 27th of Rajab on either
Sunday or Monday (Mi'raaj)
2.
Bilal
Ibn Haritha (RA) brought a congregation of four hundred men named Banu Muzeena
to the Holy Prophet (SAW). They all embraced Islam and became
followers of the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the year 5 AH
3.
The
battle of Tabook took place in the year 9 AH. This was the last battle in which
the Holy Prophet (SAW) participated
4.
The
second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 AH
DEATHS
1.
Imam
Abu Hanifa (RA) passed away on the 15th of Rajab 150 AH
2.
Imam
Shafi'ee (RA) passed away on the 14th of Rajab 204 AH
3.
Imam
Muslim (RA) passed away on the 24th of Rajab 261 AH
4.
Imam
Nawawee (RA) passed away on the 14t of Rajab 677 AH
8 - Sha'baan
DEFINITION
The word “sha’baan is derived from the word
"shu'ba", which means branch and itself means consecutively escalating or
undisturbed increase. The Arabs used to branch out during this month to
look for water.
The Arrival of the
Sha’baan moon brings with it numerous blessings. Just as the initiation of
rainfall begins with "pitter patter" such blessings reach us in the same accord
and fashion. These blessings progressively
escalate throughout the month so that by the middle of the month they have
reached a considerable amount, reaching their peak by the end of Ramadan.
Just as a farmer prepares
for a fruitful harvest by harrowing his acreage so that the soil may readily
retain water; in contrast our souls are geared by the presence of such
blessings in Sha’baan effectively preparing us for a fruitful and completely
advantageous Ramadan. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said,
"Sha’baan
is my month and Ramadan the month of Allah Ta'aalaa." [Daylami]
The
month of Sha’baan is one of the meritorious months in the Islamic calendar and
it is reported in an authentic hadith that the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to fast
most of this month. Although these fasts are not obligatory, Sha’baan is the
month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan, therefore some preparatory
measures are suggested by the Holy Prophet (SAW) through his sunnah and his
practices.
The
blessed companion Anas (RA) reported that the Holy Prophet was asked
“Which
fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan”
he replied “Fasts of Sha’baan in honour of Ramadan”
The
blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid (RA) reported that he asked the Holy Prophet
(SAW)
“O
Messenger of Allah (SAW), I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’baan so
frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month”
he replied “That (Sha’baan) is a
month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a
month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before
the Lord of the universe. So I wish that my deeds be presented at time when I
am in a state of fasting”
Ummul
Mu’mineen ‘Aishah said
“The
Holy Prophet (SAW) used to fast in the whole of Sha’baan.”
I said to him “Messenger of Allah (SAW), is the month of
Sha’baan your most favourite month to fast?” He said
“In this month Allah (SWT) prescribes the list of the persons dying this year.
Therefore, I like that my death come to me when I am in a state of fasting.”
In another tradition she said
“The
Holy Prophet (SAW) would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought
he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we
thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting a
complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting
in a month more frequently than he did in Sha’baan.”
In another repot she said
“I
never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting in a month so profusely as he
did in the month of Sha’baan. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few
days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month.”
Ummul-Mu’mineen Umm Salmah said
“I
never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting for two months continuously
except in the months of Sha’baan and Ramadan.”
These
ahadith indicate that fasting in the month of Sha’baan, though not obligatory,
is so meritorious, that the Holy Prophet (SAW) did not like to miss them. It
should be kept in mind that the fasts of this month are for those persons only
who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency to the obligatory
Ramadan fasts. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has also forbidden Muslims from fasting
one or two days prior to the commencement of Ramadan. Abu Hurairah reported the
Holy Prophet (SAW) said,
“Do
not fast after the first half of the month of Sha’baan has gone.”
According
to another report, the Prophet (SAW) said,
“Do
not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts.”
In
essence, the Holy Prophet (SAW) himself used to fast most of the month of
Sha’baan, because he had no apprehension of weakness or weariness before the
month of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15th
of the month for the feat that they would lose their strength and freshness
before Ramadan started and as a result would mot be able to welcome the month
with enthusiasm.
The
notion of fasting on the 15th day of this
month with is referred to as “shabee baraat,” and standing in voluntary prayer
during the night, is an innovation which has no religious significance
associated with it.
A
significant event that occurred during this month was the change in the
direction of salat. Bukhar reported
that Al-Bara said the Prophet prayed facing Bait-ul-Maqdis in Jerusalem
for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that his Qiblah would be the
Ka'ba. Allah (SWT) revealed the following Qu’ranic verses
“Verily!
We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's
(SAW)) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you
to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the
direction of Al-Masjid- al-Harâm (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are,
turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were
given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that
(you’re turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is
the truth from their Lord. And Allah (SWT) is not unaware of what they do.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:144)
The Holy Prophet then
offered 'Asr prayers (in his Mosque facing Ka'ba at Makkah) and some people
prayed with him. A man from among those who had prayed with him, went out and
passed by some people offering prayer in another mosque, and they were in the
state of bowing. He said, "I, (swearing by Allah (SWT),) testify that I have
prayed with the Prophet (SAW) facing Makkah." Hearing that, they turned their
faces to the Ka'ba while were still bowing. Some men had died before the Qiblah
was changed towards the Ka'ba. They had been killed and we did not know what to
say about them (i.e. whether their prayers towards Jerusalem were accepted or
not). So Allah (SAW) revealed
“And Allah
would never make your faith (i.e. prayer) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered
(towards Jerusalem). Truly Allah is Full of Pity, Most Merciful towards
mankind.” (Al-Baqarah 2:143)
SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS
1.
"Qibla" the
direction to be adopted within salaah, was reverted back to the "Ka'aba" in Makkah
(after being converted to Baitul Muqaddas in Jerusalem for a short period
of time). This took place two years after Hijrion the 15th of
Sha’baan
2.
Fasting in the blessed
month of Ramadan was made compulsory in the year 2 AH on the 25th of
Sha’baan
3.
Hafsa (RA) was joined
in matrimony with the Prophet (SAW) in 3 AH
4.
Hafsa (RA) took leave
from this world in 45 AH
5.
Hussain (RA), the
grandson of the Prophet's (SAW) was born, four years after Hijri on the 5th
of Sha’baan
6.
The Battle of Banu
Mustaliq took place in Sha’baan during which, the "Aayah of Tayammum"
(purifying with sand before salaah) was revealed, in the year 5 AH
7.
The daughter of the
beloved Prophet (SAW) Umme Kulthum (RA) took leave from this world, in the
9 AH