There is a phenomenon in Rajab many muslim may not know. This 1th January 2025 coincides with 1th Rajab 1446 in Indonesia Hijriah Calendar that Issued by Indonesia Ministry of Religion. In fact, the month of Rajab is one of the highly sacred months in the Islamic Hijri calendar, as it is one of the four sacred months in Islam. Its distinguished position lies between Jumada al-Thani and Sha’ban in the lunar (Qamari) calendar.
The month of Rajab is also a time of preparation to welcome the upcoming month of Ramadan, which will arrive a few months later. In addition, this month is known for important Phenomenon in Islamic history, such as Isra’ Mi’raj, the Phenomenon where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made a night journey to Jerusalem and the seventh sky, as an event that the beginning of the five daily prayers for Muslims. Although the exact date is still debated, many scholars believe this phenomenon occurred on the 27th night of Rajab. Furthermore, there are still many other events in the month of Rajab that are not known to many muslim. Therefore, let us discuss some of the lesser-known events in the month of Rajab.
Read Also: The Blessing of Rajab and Recommended Deeds
Important Event and Special In Rajab
Rajab has many important events that many muslim don’t know yet. This is the very very events in Rajab:
First Hijrah of the Muslims to Abyssinia in the 5th year of Prophethood.
However, as the da’wah or acceptance of the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ grew, the obstacles and disturbances from the Quraysh leaders became increasingly harsh and cruel. This was especially true for those who were not from the Quraysh tribe and did not have protection. At a time when the persecution became more intense, the Prophet ﷺ advised them to migrate and seek refuge in Abyssinia.
Abyssinia, which is today known as Ethiopia, is a country located quite far from the city of Makkah, separated by the Red Sea. Can you imagine? how long and difficult it must have been for the companions to complete this journey. This is the first event in the month of Rajab, which occurred in the 5th year of Prophethood.
Isra’ Mi’raj in The 10th Year of Prophethood
The scholars agree that Isra’ Mi’raj is a miracle granted by Allah ﷻ to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. A journey that would normally take over a month, was completed in less than a night. Allah said:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (QS. Al-’Isra’ (17: 1)
In the event of Isra’ Mi’raj during the month of Rajab, the command for the five daily prayers was also revealed, a decree that remains in effect until the end of time. In the pillars of Islam, prayer holds the second position, right after the two declarations of faith (Shahada). This position highlights the importance of prayer in Islam.
Read Also: The lessons and wisdom of the Isra’ Mi’raj event.
The Event of The First Meeting of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with The Ansar.
By the will of Allah ﷻ, Rajab became the moment of the first Meeting between the Prophet ﷺ and the Ansar, who were a people of great honor. Through their efforts, the first Islamic state was established in Madinah. From that point onward, all Sharia laws could be fully implemented. As a result, the sanctity of life, wealth, and souls could be preserved. (See Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak (IX/497), narration by Jabir bin Abdullah ra.).
The Change of Qibla Direction to The Ka’bah
Rajab was also made, by Allah ﷻ, as a special moment for the transition of the Muslim Qibla, from Masjid Al-Aqsa to Masjid Al-Haram (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah, III/252-253). This event of the change in Qibla direction occurred in the middle of the month of Rajab, after the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Madinah.
The Deployment of The Prophet’s Troops Before the Battle of Badr
On the second year of Hijrah, during the month of Rajab, the Prophet ﷺ sent a detachment led by Abdullah bin Jahsh. This deployment served as a prelude to the Battle of Badr (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah, III/248-249).
The Islamic Victory in The Battle of Tabuk
Likewise, the Battle of Tabuk, which shook the Roman superpower, occurred in the month of Rajab, in the 9th year of Hijrah (Ibn Hisham, As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah, V/195).
At that time, the Prophet ﷺ personally led more than 30,000 Muslim troops on a long journey of over 1,600 kilometers from Madinah to Sham to face the Roman army. By the will of Allah ﷻ, the Muslims achieved victory in this battle.
The Liberation of Al-Hirah, Iraq: The Key to Victory Over Persia
During the leadership of Caliph Abu Bakr, Khalid bin al-Walid (ra) liberated Al-Hirah, Iraq, also in the month of Rajab (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah, VI/343).
The city of Al-Hirah was the capital of Persia’s province in Iraq. In the year 12 AH/633 CE, the Muslims, under the command of Khalid bin al-Walid, attacked the fortified city, which was defended with arrows fired from within the fortress. However, the battle was brief, and the city’s inhabitants quickly surrendered. Five beautiful palaces within the city fell into the hands of the Muslims, and the city’s residents agreed to capitulate.
The conquest of Al-Hirah truly became the key to the Islamic forces’ victory over Persia. From this point, Khalid’s forces easily conquered other regions of Iraq, whether through battles or without resistance.
The First Liberation of Baitul Maqdis (Palestine)
During the leadership of Caliph Umar bin Khattab, the month of Rajab also marked an important moment that reflected the honor of the generation following the Prophethood. At that time, the city of Damascus (Sham) was liberated by the Muslims under the leadership of commanders Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah (ra) and Khalid bin al-Walid (ra) in Rajab, 14 AH/635 CE.
Read Also: The End of Rajab: Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi Liberates Baitul Maqdis, Palestine
The Battle of Yarmuk
One year after the liberation of Baitul Maqdis, a great war occurred, namely the war against the Eastern Romans. This battle is called the Battle of Yarmouk because it took place near the Jordan Valley, at the Yarmouk River.
The Battle of Yarmouk, led by Khalid bin al-Walid (ra), was fought against the Romans and also took place in Rajab, in the year 15 AH/636 CE (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah, VII/4).
The Reliberated of Baitul Maqdis
Baitul Maqdis was successfully reliberated by the Muslims in Rajab, specifically on the 28th of Rajab, 583 AH / 2nd October 1187 CE, under the leadership of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, after defeating the Crusader forces in the Battle of Hattin. It was at that time that the call to prayer (adhan) was heard once again, and the Friday prayer (Jumu’ah) was resumed at Masjid Al-Aqsa, after being occupied by the Crusader army for 88 years.
The Calamity of the Collapse of Global Islamic Leadership in Istanbul, Turkey
Furthermore, on the 28th of Rajab, 1342 AH, or March 3, 1924 CE, there was an important event that should never be forgotten by the Muslim ummah, which was the loss of the glory of the ummah with the collapse of the global Islamic leadership in Istanbul, Turkey, which had sheltered the lives of Muslims worldwide for 14 centuries.
In addition, on the 28th of Rajab, 1342 AH, or March 3, 1924 CE, a very significant historical event occurred that should not be overlooked by Muslims, which was the end of the era of the greatness and glory of the ummah with the collapse of the global Islamic leadership in Istanbul, Turkey. The Caliphate, which had sheltered the lives of Muslims all around the world for 14 centuries, was lost.
Those were several important and historic events in Islam that occurred in the month of Rajab. Considering that Rajab is one of the sacred months in Islam, full of blessings and virtues. Wallahu’alam.
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Referensi :
Al Quran Al Karim
Al-Mustadrak,Al-Hakim
Al-Bidâyah wa an-Nihâyah, Ibnu Katsir, Jilid III
Al-Bidâyah wa an-Nihâyah, Ibnu Katsir, Jilid VI
Al-Bidâyah wa an-Nihâyah, Ibnu Katsir, Jilid VII
As-Sîrah an-Nabawiyyah, Ibnu Hisyam
