He (al-Bāhilī) came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, then went away and came back to him after a year, and his condition and appearance had changed. He said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you not recognize me?” He said, “Who are you?” He said, “I am the al-Bāhilī who came to you last year.” He said, “What has changed you, when you used to be of good appearance?” He said, “I have not eaten any food except at night since I left you.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Why have you tortured yourself?”

Then he said, “Fast the month of patience (i.e. Ramaḍān), and one day from every month.” He said, “Increase it for me, for I have strength.” He said, “Fast two days.” He said, “Increase it for me.” He said, “Fast three days.” He said, “Increase it for me.” He said, “Fast during the sacred months and leave off; fast during the sacred months and leave off; fast during the sacred months and leave off.” And he gestured with his three fingers, drawing them together and then releasing them.  

أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ فَأَتَاهُ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ وَقَدْ تَغَيَّرَتْ حَالَتُهُ وَهَيْئَتُهُ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَمَا تَعْرِفُنِي؟ قَالَ: «وَمَنْ أَنْتَ؟» قَالَ: أَنَا الْبَاهِلِيُّ الَّذِي جِئْتُكَ عَامَ الأَوَّلِ۔ قَالَ: «فَمَا غَيَّرَكَ وَقَدْ كُنْتَ حَسَنَ الْهَيْئَةِ؟» قَالَ: مَا أَكَلْتُ طَعَامًا إِلاَّ بِلَيْلٍ مُنْذُ فَارَقْتُكَ۔ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «لِمَ عَذَّبْتَ نَفْسَكَ؟»

ثُمَّ قَالَ: «صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ، وَيَوْمًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ۔» قَالَ: زِدْنِي فَإِنَّ بِي قُوَّةً۔ قَالَ: «صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ۔» قَالَ: زِدْنِي۔ قَالَ: «صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ۔» قَالَ: زِدْنِي۔ قَالَ: «صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ، صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ، صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ۔» وَقَالَ بِأَصَابِعِهِ الثَّلاَثَةِ فَضَمَّهَا ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَهَا  

“I came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Prophet of Allah, I am the man who came to you last year.’ He said: ‘Why do I see your body so thin (and weak)?’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I do not eat during the day; I only eat at night.’ He said: ‘Who commanded you to punish yourself?’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I am strong enough.’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience* and one day after it.’ I said: ‘I am strong enough (to do more).’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience and two days after it.’ I said: ‘I am strong enough (to do more).’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience and three days after it, and fast the sacred months.’”  

أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَنَا الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي أَتَيْتُكَ عَامَ الأَوَّلِ قَالَ فَمَا لِي أَرَى جِسْمَكَ نَاحِلاً قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَكَلْتُ طَعَامًا بِالنَّهَارِ مَا أَكَلْتُهُ إِلاَّ بِاللَّيْلِ قَالَ مَنْ أَمَرَكَ أَنْ تُعَذِّبَ نَفْسَكَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَقْوَى قَالَ صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ وَيَوْمًا بَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى قَالَ صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ وَيَوْمَيْنِ بَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى قَالَ صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ وَثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ بَعْدَهُ وَصُمْ أَشْهُرَ الْحُرُمِ  

[Machine] I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once for a need. He said, “Who are you?” I said, “Do you not recognize me?” He said, “And who are you?” I said, “I am the Bahili who came to you last year.” He said, “You came to me with a fine body, complexion, and appearance—so what has brought you to what I see?” I said, “By Allah, since I left you I have not broken my fast except at night.” He said, “Who commanded you to torture yourself?”—three times. “Fast the month of patience: Ramadan.” I said, “I find strength, and I would like you to increase me.” He said, “Then fast one day of the month.” I said, “I find strength, and I would like you to increase me.” He said, “Then two days of the month.” I said, “I find strength, and I would like you to increase me.” He said, “What more do you seek beyond the month of patience and two days in the month?” I said, “I find strength, and I would like you to increase me.” He said, “Then three days of the month.” And he pressed him at the third time, and he could hardly speak. I said, “I find strength, and I would like you to increase me.” He said, “Then fast in the sacred months, and break your fast.”  

أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ لِحَاجَةٍ مَرَّةً فَقَالَ مَنْ أَنْتَ؟ قَالَ أَوَ مَا تَعْرِفُنِي؟ قَالَ وَمَنْ أَنْتَ؟ قَالَ أَنَا الْبَاهِلِيُّ الَّذِي أَتَيْتُكَ عَامَ أَوَّلٍ قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ أَتَيْتَنِي وَجِسْمُكَ وَلَوْنُكَ وَهَيْئَتُكَ حَسَنَةٌ فَمَا بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا أَرَى؟ فَقَالَ إِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَفْطَرْتُ بَعْدَكَ إِلَّا لَيْلًا قَالَ مَنْ أَمَرَكَ أَنْ تُعَذِّبَ نَفْسَكَ؟ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ رَمَضَانَ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَزِيدَنِي قَالَ فَصُمْ يَوْمًا مِنَ الشَّهْرِ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَزِيدَنِي قَالَ فَيَوْمَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَزِيدَنِي قَالَ وَمَا تَبْغِي عَنْ شَهْرِ الصَّبْرِ وَيَوْمَيْنِ فِي الشَّهْرِ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَزِيدَنِي قَالَ فَثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ قَالَ وَأَلْحَمَ عِنْدَ الثَّالِثَةِ فَمَا كَادَ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَزِيدَنِي قَالَ فَمِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَأَفْطِرْ  

The father or Uncle of Mujibah al-Bahiliyyah visited the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He then went away and came to him (again) after one year when his condition and appearance had changed. He said: Messenger of Allah, do you not recognize me? He asked: Who are you? He replied: I am al-Bahili who came to you last year. He said: What has changed you? You were looking well, then you were good in appearance? He said: I have only food at night since I departed from you. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Why did you torment yourself? Fast during Ramadan (the month of patience) and fast for one day every month. He said: Increase it for me, for I have (more) strength. He said: Fast two days. He again said: Increase it for me. He said: Fast three days. He again said: Increase it for me. He said: Fast during the inviolable months and then stop; fast during the inviolable months and then stop; fast during the inviolable months and then stop. He indicated by his three fingers, and joined them and then opened them. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 2428)   

أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ فَعَادَ إِلَيْهِ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ أَبِي مُوسَى فَأَتَاهُ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ وَقَدْ تَغَيَّرَتْ حَالُهُ وَهَيْئَتُهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَمَا تَعْرِفُنِي؟ قَالَ وَمَنْ أَنْتَ؟ قَالَ أَنَا الْبَاهِلِيُّ الَّذِي جِئْتُكَ عَامَ أَوَّلَ قَالَ فَمَا غَيَّرَكَ وَقَدْ كُنْتَ حَسَنَ الْهَيْئَةِ قَالَ مَا أَكَلْتُ طَعَامًا مُنْذُ فَارَقْتُكَ إِلَّا بِلَيْلٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لِمَ عَذَّبْتَ نَفْسَكَ صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ وَمِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ يَوْمًا قَالَ زِدْنِي فَإِنَّ بِي قُوَّةً قَالَ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ يَوْمَيْنِ قَالَ زِدْنِي فَإِنَّ بِي قُوَّةً قَالَ صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ زَادَ عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ قَالَ زِدْنِي فَإِنَّ بِي قُوَّةً قَالَ صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ يَقُولُهَا ثَلَاثًا وَفِي رِوَايَةِ مُوسَى قَالَ زِدْنِي قَالَ صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ صُمْ مِنَ الْحُرُمِ وَاتْرُكْ وَقَالَ بِأَصَابِعِهِ الثَّلَاثِ فَضَمَّهَا ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَهَا  

[Machine] "That the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'If I live until the next year, I will certainly fast the ninth day (of Muharram),' meaning the day of Ashura."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَئِنْ عِشْتُ قَالَ رَوْحٌ لَئِنْ سَلِمْتُ إِلَى قَابِلٍ لَأَصُومَنَّ الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ يَعْنِي عَاشُورَاءَ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade fasting for the whole of the month of Rajab.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ نَهَى عَنْ صِيَامِ رَجَبٍ كُلِّهِ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Rajab is a great month in which Allah multiplies the rewards. So whoever fasts for a day in Rajab, it is as if he has fasted for a whole year. And whoever fasts for seven days, the seven gates of Hell will be closed to him. And whoever fasts for eight days, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him. And whoever fasts for ten days, Allah will grant him whatever he asks for. And whoever fasts for fifteen days, a caller will announce in the heavens: 'May Allah forgive what has passed for you, so start anew.' And whoever does more, Allah will increase it. And in Rajab, Allah carried Noah in the ark, so he fasted in Rajab and commanded his companions to fast. The ark set sail with them for six months, until they landed on Mount Judi. And Noah and those with him expressed gratitude to Allah. And on the day of Ashura, Allah split the sea for the children of Israel. And on the day of Ashura, Allah accepted the repentance of Adam and the city of Yunus. And in Rajab, Ibrahim ﷺ was born."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «رَجَبٌ شَهْرٌ عَظِيمٌ يُضَاعِفُ اللهُ فِيهِ الْحَسَنَاتِ فَمَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا مِنْ رَجَبٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا صَامَ سَنَةً وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ غُلِّقَتْ عَنْهُ سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَابِ جَهَنَّمَ وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ عَشَرَةَ أَيَّامٍ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللهَ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا نَادَى مُنَادٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ قَدْ غُفِرَ لَكَ مَا مَضَى فَاسْتَئْنِفِ الْعَمَلَ وَمَنْ زَادَ زَادَهُ اللهُ ﷻ وَفِي رَجَبٍ حَمَلَ اللهُ نُوحًا فِي السَّفِينَةِ فَصَامَ رَجَبًا وَأَمَرَ مَنْ مَعَهُ أَنْ يَصُومُوا فَجَرَتْ بِهِمُ السَّفِينَةُ سِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ آخِرُ ذَلِكَ يَوْمُ عَاشُورَاءَ أُهْبِطَ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ فَصَامَ نُوحٌ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ وَالْوَحْشُ شُكْرًا لِلَّهِ ﷻ وَفِي يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أفْلَقَ اللهُ الْبَحْرَ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَفِي يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ تَابَ اللهُ ﷻ عَلَى آدَمَ ﷺ وَعَلَى مَدِينَةِ يُونُسَ وَفِيهِ وُلِدَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ﷺ»  

"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Shaban.' He said: 'That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2357)  

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ مِنَ شَهْرٍ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ «ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبَ وَرَمَضَانَ وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الْأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ»  

I said: Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting ˹more˺ in any month like you fast in Shaʿbān. He said, "People are heedless in that month between Rajab and Ramaḍān and it is the month where deeds are raised up to the Lord of the worlds. Therefore I prefer that my deeds are raised up while I'm fasting."  

قُلتُ: يَا رَسُولَ الله! لَمْ أَرَاكَ تَصُومُ مِنْ شَهْرٍ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ؟ قَالَ: «ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ، وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبَ الْعَالمِينَ، فَأُحِبُّ أنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِى وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ۔»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to alternate between fasting and not fasting: Sometimes it would be said, "Do not break your fast," and other times it would be said, "Do not fast."

I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, you fast so much that it seems you would almost never break from fasting, and you do not fast so often that it seems you would almost never fast ˹again˺ except for two days if they were to enter during your fasting except your would fast in them." He asked, "Which two days?" I said, "Mondays and Thursdays." He replied, "These are days when deeds are presented to the Lord of the worlds, so I love for my deeds to be presented while I am fasting."  

كَانَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ يَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ فَيُقَالُ: لَا يُفْطِرُ، وَيُفْطِرُ فَيُقَالُ: لَا يَصُومُ۔

قُلتُ: يَا رَسُولَ الله: إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ حَتَّى لَا تَكَادَ تُفْطِرُ، وَتُفْطِرُ حَتَّى لَا تَكَادَ أَنْ تَصُومَ إِلَّا يَوْمَيْنِ إِنْ دَخَلَا فِى صِيَامِكَ وَإلَّا صُمْتَهُمَا، قَالَ: «أَىُّ يَوْمَيْنِ؟» قُلتُ: يَوْمُ الاثْنَيْنِ، وَيَوْمُ الْخَميس، قَالَ: «ذانِكَ يَوْمَانِ تُعْرَضُ فِيهمَا الأَعمَالُ عَلَى رَبِّ الْعَالمِينَ، فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرَضَ عَمَلِى وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ۔»  

[Machine] “Whoever fasts one day in Rajab, it is equivalent to fasting a month; whoever fasts seven days of it, the seven gates of Hell are closed to him; whoever fasts eight days of it, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him; whoever fasts ten days of it, God will replace his evil deeds with good deeds; and whoever fasts eighteen days of it, a caller will proclaim: ‘God has forgiven you what has passed, so begin your deeds anew.’”  

"مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا مِنْ رَجَب عَدِلَ صِيَامَ شَهْر، وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْه سَبْعَةَ أَيام أُغْلِقَت عَنْهُ أَبْوَابُ الجَحِيم السَّبعَةِ، وَمَنْ صَام منه ثمانيةَ أَيَّام فتحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الجَنةِ الثمَانِيَةِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ عَشْرَةَ أَيَّامٍ بَدَّلَ اللهُ سَيئاتِه حَسَنَاتٍ، وَمَنْ صَامَ مِنْهُ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا، نَادَى مُنَادٍ أَنَّ الله قَدْ غَفَرَ لَكَ مَا مَضَى فَاسْتَأنِفِ العَمَلَ".  

[Machine] Whoever fasts one day in Rajab, it is like fasting for a year. Whoever fasts seven days, the seven gates of Hell are shut against him. Whoever fasts eight days, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him. Whoever fasts ten days, he does not ask God for anything except that He grants it to him. Whoever fasts fifteen days, a caller from heaven proclaims: “I have forgiven you what has passed, so begin your deeds anew; I have replaced your bad deeds with good deeds.” And whoever does more, God increases for him.

And in Rajab, Noah was carried in the Ark, and Noah fasted and commanded those with him to fast; and the Ark carried them for six months, until the end of that, on the tenth day of Muharram.  

"مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا مِنْ رَجَبٍ كانَ كَصِيَامِ سَنَة، وَمَن صَامَ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ غُلِّقَتْ عَنْهُ سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَاب جَهَنَّمَ، وَمَن صَامَ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ فُتِّحَتْ لَهُ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَبْوَابِ الجَنَّةِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ عَشْرَةَ أَيَّامٍ لَمْ يَسْألِ اللهَ شَيئًا إِلا أَعْطَاهُ، وَمَن صَامَ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا نَادَى مُنَادٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ: قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ مَا سَلَفَ، فَاسْتَأنِف العَمَلَ، قَدْ بَدَّلتُ سيئاتِكَ حَسَنَات، وَمَن زَادَ زَادَهُ اللهُ، وفِي رَجَبٍ حُمِلَ نُوح بِالسَّفِينة وَصَامَ نُوحٌ وَأَمَرَ مَنْ مَعَهُ أَنْ يَصُومُوا، وَجَرَت بِهِم السفِينَةُ سِتَّةَ أَشْهُر إِلَى آخِرِ ذَلِكَ لِعَشْر خَلَوْنَ مِن المُحَرمِ".  

[Machine] On the authority of ʿAṭāʾ: ʿUrwah said to ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUmar, “Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast in Rajab?” He said, “Yes, and he would honor it.”  

"عَنْ عطاء أَنَّ عُرْوَة قَالَ لِعَبْد الله بن عُمرَ: هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ يَصُومُ في رَجَب؟ قَالَ: نَعم وَيُشَرفَهُ".  

[Machine] “Rajab is indeed a great month in which good deeds are multiplied; whoever fasts one day of it is like fasting for a year.”  

"إِنَّ رجبًا شهرٌ عظيمٌ، تُضاعَفُ فيه الحسناتُ، مَنْ صَامَ يومًا منه كان كصِيامِ سَنَةٍ".  

[Machine] “Whoever fasts the first day of Rajab, that is counted as the fasting of a year. Whoever fasts seven days, seven gates of the Fire are closed to him. And whoever fasts ten days of Rajab, a caller from heaven proclaims: ‘Ask, and you shall be given.’”  

"مَنْ صَامَ أَوَّلَ يَوْم مِن رَجَب عُدِلَ ذَلِكَ بِصِيَامِ سَنَة، وَمَن صَامَ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّام أُغْلِقَ عَنْهُ سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَاب النِّيرَان، وَمَن صَامَ مِن رَجَب عَشْرَةَ أَيَّامٍ نَادَى مُنَاد مِنَ السَّمَاءِ أَنْ سَلْ تعْطَه".  

[Machine] “From Abu Qilābah, who said: In Paradise there is a palace for those who fast in Rajab.”  

"عَنْ أَبِى قَلَابَةَ قَالَ: فِى الْجَنَّةِ قصرٌ لِصُوَّامِ رَجَب".  

[Machine] Rajab is one of the sacred months, and its days are written upon the gates of the sixth heaven. If a man fasts one day of it and renews his fast with mindfulness of God, the gate and the day speak, saying: “O Lord, forgive him.” But if he does not complete his fast with mindfulness of God, they do not ask forgiveness for him, and it is said: “Your soul has deceived you.”  

"رجبٌ منْ شُهُور الْحُرُمِ، وأَيَّامه مكْتُوبةٌ علَى أَبْواب السَّماءِ السَّادسة، فإِذا صام الرَّجُلُ منْه يوْمًا وجدَّد صوْمه بتقْوى اللَّه نطق البَابُ ونطق الْيوْمُ قالا: يارب اغْفرْ لهُ، وإِذا لمْ يُتمَّ صوْمه بتقْوى اللَّه لمْ يسْتغفْرا، وقيل: خَدعتْكَ نَفْسُكَ".  

[Machine] “Increase in seeking forgiveness in the month of Rajab, for God has, in every hour of it, people freed from the Fire; and God has cities that none may enter except those who fast the month of Rajab.”  

"أكثروا من الاستغفارِ في شهرِ رَجبٍ، فإِنَّ للهِ في كل ساعة مِنْه عُتَقَاءَ من النارِ، وإن للهِ مدائنَ لا يدخلها إلا من صام شهر رجب".  

[Machine] “The choicest of God’s months is the month of Rajab, and it is God’s month. Whoever venerates God’s month of Rajab has venerated God’s command, and whoever venerates God’s command, He will admit him to the Gardens of bliss and will make His greatest pleasure incumbent for him.

Shaban is my month; whoever venerates the month of Shaban has venerated my command, and whoever venerates my command, I will be for him a forerunner and a ذخيرة (a reserve/treasure) on the Day of Resurrection.

The month of Ramadan is the month of my community; whoever venerates the month of Ramadan and venerates its sanctity and does not violate it, and fasts its days, and stands in prayer at its nights, and guards his limbs, will depart from Ramadan with no sin for which God will call him to account.”  

"خِيرة اللَّه من الشهور: شَهْرُ رجَب، وهو شهرُ اللَّه، من عَظَّم شهر اللَّه رجب فقد عظَّم أمر اللَّه ومن عظَّم أَمر اللَّه أَدخله جناتِ النعيم، وأَوجبَ له رضوانه الأكبر،

وشعبانُ شهرى، فمن عظَّم شَهْرَ شعبانَ فقد عظم أَمْرى، ومن عَظَّم أَمرى كنت له فرَطًا وذخرًا يومَ القيامةِ،

وشهرُ رمضان شهرُ أُمَّتِى، فمن عظم شهرَ رمضان وعظَّم حُرمَتَه، ولم ينتهكه، وصام نهاره، وقام ليله، وحفظ جوارحه، خرج من رمضان وليس عليه ذنب يطلبه اللَّه بهِ".  

[Machine] On the authority of ʿĀʾishah, she said: A woman mentioned to her that she fasts in Rajab, so she said: If you must fast a month, then fast Shaʿbān, for in it there is merit.  

"عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: أنَّ امَرَأَةً ذَكرَتْ لَهَا أَنَّهَا تَصُومُ رَجَب، فَقَالتْ: إِنْ كُنُتِ صَائِمَةً شَهرًا لَا مَحَالَةَ، فَعَلَيْكِ بِشَعْبَانَ؛ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ الفَضْلَ".  

“Indeed, in Paradise there is a river called Rajab; its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Whoever fasts one day in Rajab, Allah will give him to drink from that river.”  

"إِنَّ فِى الجَنَّةِ نَهْرًا يُقَالُ له رَجَبٌ، ماؤُهُ أشَدُّ بَيَاضًا مِنَ الَّلبَنِ، وَأَحْلَى مِنَ العَسَل مَن صَامَ يوْمًا من رَجَب سَقَاهُ اللَّه مِنْ ذَلك النَّهرِ".  

[Machine] “In Rajab there is a day and a night: whoever fasts that day and stands in prayer that night will be like one who has fasted for a hundred years and stood in prayer for a hundred years. It is when three days remain of Rajab, and in it Allah, the Exalted, sent Muhammad.”  

"فِي رَجَب يَوْمٌ وَلَيلَةٌ، مَنْ صَامَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ، وَقَامَ تِلْكَ اللَّيلَةَ كانَ كمَنْ صَامَ مِن الدَّهْرِ مائَةَ سَنَةٍ، وَقَامَ مائَةَ سَنَةٍ، وَهُوَ لثَلاثٍ بَقينَ من رَجَبٍ وَفيه بَعَثَ اللهُ تَعَالى مُحَمَّدًا".  

A man from among the Muslims came from the land of Yemen and said to ʿUmar: “In Yemen I have seen something they call ‘dating’ (the calendar): they write ‘from such-and-such a year and such-and-such a month.’” ʿUmar said: “This is good—so date your documents.”

When he had resolved to establish a dating system, he consulted them. Some said: “From the Prophet’s ﷺ birth.” Others said: “From the beginning of his mission.” Others said: “From the time he set out as an emigrant from Makkah.” And one said: “From the time of his death, when he passed away.” Some said: “Date it from his departure from Makkah to Medinah.”

Then he said: “With what shall we begin, so that we make it the first of the year?” They said: “Rajab, for the people of the pre-Islamic period used to venerate it.” Others said: “The month of Ramadan.” Some said: “Dhu al-Hijjah.” Others said: “The month in which he departed from Makkah.” Others said: “The month in which he arrived.” Then ʿUthmān said: “Date it from Muharram as the first of the year. It is a sacred month; it is the first of the months in the reckoning; and it is when people return from the Hajj. So make Muharram the first of the year.” That was in the year 17 AH, and it is also said: 16 AH, in Rabiʿ al-Awwal.  

"أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ قَدِمَ "مِنْ" أَرْضِ اليَمَنِ فَقَالَ لِعُمَرَ: رَأَيْتُ باليَمَنِ شَيْئًا يُسَمُّونَهُ التَّارِيخَ، يَكْتُبُونَ مِنْ عَامِ كَذَا، وَشَهْرِ كَذَا، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: إِنَّ هَذَا لَحَسَنٌ فَأرِّخُوا،

فَلَمَّا أجْمَعَ "عَلَى" أَنْ يُؤَرِّخَ شَاوَرَهُمْ، فَقَالَ قَوْمٌ: بِمَوْلِدِ النَّبِىِّ ﷺ ، وَقَالَ قَوْمٌ: بِالمَبْعَثِ، وَقَالَ قَوْمٌ: حِينَ خَرَجَ مُهَاجِرًا مِنْ مَكَّةَ، وَقَالَ قَائِلٌ لوفاته حِينَ تُوفِّى، فَقَالَ قَوْمٌ: أَرِّخُوا خُرُوجَهُ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ،

ثُمَّ قَالَ: بِأىِّ شَىْءٍ نَبْدَأُ فَنُصَيِّرُهُ أَوَّلَ السَّنَةِ؟ فَقَالُوا: رَجَبٌ فَإنَّ أَهلَ الجَاهِلِيَّة كَانُوا يعظمونه، وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ: شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ، وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: ذُو الحِجَّةِ، وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ: الشَّهْرُ الَّذِى خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ، وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ: الشَّهْرُ الَّذِى قَدِمَ فِيهِ، فَقَالَ عُثْمَانُ: أرِّخوا مِنَ المُحَرَّم أَوَّلَ السَّنَةِ، وَهُوَ شَهرٌ حَرَامٌ، وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ الشُّهُورِ في العِدَّةِ، وَهُوَ مُنْصَرَفُ النَّاسِ مِنَ الحَجِّ، فَصَيِّرُوا أَوَّلَ السَّنَةِ المُحَرَّمَ، وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ سَنَةَ سَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ، وَيُقَالُ: سِتَّ عَشْرَةَ في رَبِيعٍ الأَوَّلِ".  

[Machine] Rajab is a great month; in it Allah multiplies good deeds. Whoever fasts one day of Rajab, it is as though he fasted a year; whoever fasts seven days of it, the gates of Hell are closed to him; whoever fasts eight days of it, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him; whoever fasts ten days of it, he will ask Allah for nothing except that He gives it to him; whoever fasts fifteen days of it, a caller from the sky will call out: “You have been forgiven for what has passed, so begin your deeds anew.” And whoever does more, God will increase for him.

And in Rajab Allah carried Noah in the Ark, so he fasted Rajab and ordered those with him to fast; and the Ark carried them for six months, the end of that being the Day of Ashura, when it came down upon al-Judi. So Noah and those with him, and the wild beasts, fasted in thanks to God, Most Glorified and Exalted. And on the Day of Ashura Allah split the sea for the Children of Israel; and on the Day of Ashura Allah accepted the repentance of Adam and of the city of Jonah; and on it Abraham was born.  

"رجبٌ شَهْرٌ عظيمٌ، يضاعِفُ اللَّه فيهِ الحسنات، لمنْ صام يوْمًا مِنْ رجب فَكَأنَّما صام سنةً، ومنْ صام مِنْه سبْعةَ أَيَّام غُلِّقَتْ عَنْه أبْوابُ جهنَّمَ، ومنْ صام منْهُ ثَمانِيةَ أَيَّامٍ فُتِّحتْ لَه ثَمانِيةُ أَبْواب الجنِّةِ، ومنْ صام مِنهُ عشرةَ أَيَّامٍ لَمْ يسْأَل اللَّهَ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاه، ومنْ صام مِنْه خَمْسة عشَر يوْمًا نَادى منَاد مِنَ السَّماءِ، قَدْ غُفِر لَكَ ما مضَى فَاستَأْنْفِ العملَ، ومنْ زاد زَاده اللَّه، وفى رجبٍ حَملَ اللَّه نُوحًا في السَّفينةَ فَصام رجب، وأَمر مَنْ معه أَنْ يصوموا فَجرتْ بهمْ السَّفِينَةُ سِتَّةَ أَشْهر، آخِرُ ذَلَكَ الْيَوْم يوْم عاشُوراءَ، اهْبطَ علَى الجودِىِّ، فَصَام نُوحٌ ومنْ معه، والْوحْشُ شُكْرًا للَّهِ ﷻ وفى يَوْم عَاشُورَاءَ فلَقَ اللَّهُ البَحْرَ لبنى إِسْرائِيل وفى يوم عاشُوراءَ تَاب اللَّه علَى آدم وعلَى مدِينةِ يونُس، وفِيهِ وُلِد إِبْراهِيم".