Question:
وقال ابن القيم : ( كل حديث في ذكر صيام رجب وصلاة بعض الليالي فيه فهو كذب مفترى ) [ المنار المنيف - ٩٦ ]
وقال ابن حجر : ( لم يرد في فضل شهر رجب ، ولا في صيامه ولا في صيام شيء منه معين ، ولا في قيام ليلة مخصوصة فيه حديث صحيح يصلح للحجة)
[ تبيين العجب - ١١]
What do you think about the afore-mentioned texts? Many people ask about this and mention the Hadith, “Allahumma Barik lanaa fi Rajab…”
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The texts of the esteemed scholars you quoted are correct, i.e., there are no authentic Hadiths that substantiate a specific mode of worship during the month of Rajab. Regarding the dua you mentioned, which is part of a Hadith, “Allahumma Barik lanaa fi Rajab wa Shaban wa ballighnaa Ramadan,” (O Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Shaban and allow us to reach Ramadan) despite there being a weakness in its chain of transmission, it is still permissible to read this dua.
Most scholars say it is recommended to act upon weak Hadiths concerning Fadaail Al- ‘Amaal (virtues of actions). However, the preferability of acting on them is contingent upon three conditions. Ibn Hajar (RA) has outlined these conditions:
1. The weakness is not severe
2. The Hadith comes within the purview of a practiced upon principle (e.g., doing good to one’s parents)
3. When acting on this Hadith, one does not believe that it is established from the Prophet (SAW). Instead, he believes in precaution.
Explanation of the third condition: He practices on a weak Hadith that encourages a particular action to attain the reward mentioned therein due to the possibility of this Hadith being established from the Prophet (SAW). At the same time, he does not believe the Hadith is established from the Prophet (SAW) due to its weakness.
Lataaif Al-M’aarif: p. 228-234 (Dar Ibn Katheer); Tayseer Mustalah Al-Hadeeth: p. 55 (Bushra)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
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