The month of Rajab al-Murajjab is one of the sacred months in Islam and a special time for spiritual renewal. Numerous traditions emphasize repentance (istighfār), fasting, remembrance of Allah, and giving charity (ṣadaqah) abundantly throughout this blessed month.
Below are the general A‘māl (recommended acts) to be observed during Rajab, as reported in authentic traditions.
1. Seeking Forgiveness in Rajab
Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him) reported that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
“Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness for my Ummah, so seek forgiveness from Allah frequently during it, more than in other months.”
Supplication for Forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَسْأَلُهُ التَّوْبَة
Translation:
I seek forgiveness from Allah, and I ask Him to accept my repentance.
I seek forgiveness from Allah, and I ask Him to accept my repentance.
2. Fasting in Rajab
It is recommended to fast on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the month of Rajab. It is narrated that whoever fasts on these three days in any of the Sacred Months will be rewarded with the equivalent of nine hundred years of worship.
3. For Those Unable to Fast
If one is unable to fast during Rajab, it is recommended to recite the following 100 times daily:
سُبْحَانَ الإِلٰهِ الْجَلِيلِ
Glory be to the All-Majestic God.
Glory be to the All-Majestic God.
سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يَنْبَغِي التَّسْبِيحُ إِلَّا لَهُ
Glory be to Him other than Whom none deserves to be glorified.
Glory be to Him other than Whom none deserves to be glorified.
سُبْحَانَ الْعَزِيزِ الْأَكْرَمِ
Glory be to the All-Mighty, the Most Honorable.
Glory be to the All-Mighty, the Most Honorable.
سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَبِسَ الْعِزَّ وَهُوَ لَهُ أَهْلٌ
Glory be to Him Who is adorned with honor and is truly worthy of it.
Glory be to Him Who is adorned with honor and is truly worthy of it.
4. Istighfār Followed by Charity
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites the following supplication for forgiveness 100 times in Rajab and then gives charity, Allah will conclude his life with mercy and forgiveness. Whoever recites it 400 times will be granted the reward of one hundred martyrs.”
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ،
وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ،
وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ،
وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Translation:
I seek forgiveness from Allah—there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the One who has no partner—and I repent to Him.
I seek forgiveness from Allah—there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the One who has no partner—and I repent to Him.
5. Recitation of the Kalimah
The Holy Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Whoever recites this declaration 1,000 times in Rajab, Allah will record for him 100,000 good deeds and build for him 100 houses in Paradise.”
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Translation:
There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
6. Morning and Evening Istighfār
It is narrated that whoever recites the following 70 times in the morning and 70 times in the evening each day of Rajab, and dies in this month, will be granted protection from Hellfire due to the blessings of Rajab:
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him.
I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him.
After this, raise your hands and say:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ
O Allah, forgive me and accept my repentance.
O Allah, forgive me and accept my repentance.
7. A Thousandfold Supplication for Forgiveness
It is recommended to recite the following 1,000 times during Rajab:
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
مِنْ جَمِيعِ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْآثَامِ
مِنْ جَمِيعِ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْآثَامِ
Translation:
I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Lord of Majesty and Honor, for all sins and offenses.
I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Lord of Majesty and Honor, for all sins and offenses.
8. Daily Morning and Evening Remembrances (Three Times Each)
Recite the following every morning and evening:
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Sūrat al-Fātiḥah
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Āyat al-Kursī
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Sūrat al-Kāfirūn
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Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ
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Sūrat al-Falaq
-
Sūrat al-Nās
Then say:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Translation:
Glory be to Allah; all praise belongs to Allah; there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the Greatest; and there is no power nor strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
Glory be to Allah; all praise belongs to Allah; there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the Greatest; and there is no power nor strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
O Allah, forgive the believing men and believing women.
O Allah, forgive the believing men and believing women.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
9. Reciting Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ at Night
It is narrated that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ 100 times in one night of Rajab will receive the reward of fasting for one hundred years for Allah’s sake, and Allah will grant him one hundred palaces in Paradise near one of the Prophets.”
Final Reflection
Let us make our days and nights of Rajab a means of drawing closer to Allah through repentance, remembrance, charity, and sincere devotion, and seek His boundless mercy and forgiveness.