Masjid Al-Shuhadaa | Denver, CO

Rajab: allah's sacred month

2/13/2021

On Saturday February 13th, 2021 Muslims mark their calendar to start the first day of the Islamic Sacred Month of Rajab, the 7th month in the Islamic calendar. Rajab has many beautiful stories in the history of the Islamic calendar. In this short article, I explain the beauty of the month. Then, I examine the historical background of the month. Afterwards, we will learn about the meaning of the name. Last but not least, we delve deeper into the opportunities we have and pearls we can gain this month and how we can get the best out of it. So, let’s first learn what the special thing about this month is, and why it is special.

1- The sacredness of theMonth
It is one of the four sacred months that Allah mentioned in Surah Al-Taubah verse 36. These four sacred months are Muharrah (the 1st month), Rajab (the 7th month), Thu Al-qi'dah (the 11th month), Thu Al-Hijjah (the 12th and last month of the calendar when hajj takes place). Allah says,

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۚ

Which means, (Qur’an 9:36) Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And the prophet Muhammed (Peace be Upon Him) said in his only and last Hajj he did, naming these four months that are referred to in the Qur’an.

The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban." (Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 3197)

2- Historical Background
Before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), Arabs used to hail and sanctify these four sacred months among themselves. They were very tribal communities who involved themselves in many tribal wars and fights. Therefore, they followed the tradition of taking truce in the months of hajj. They used to perform hajj to Makkah all the way back to the times of prophet Ibrahim and Isma’el. Ibrahim and Isma’el (PBUT) built the Ka’aba on the old foundations and called people for hajj, which became the sacred thing people would do in their lives. During these sacred months Arabs took breaks from fighting each other and agreed to create a safe and calming time for people to do their hajj to Makkah in peace and come back to their homes safe. They also glorified and respected the sanctity of these months by doing extra good deeds, especially feeding those in need. Being the religion of Allah to all people since the beginning, Islam approved the beautiful meaning of sacred months and glorified these months as they were before.

3- The Meaning of the name itself (Rajab)
Rajab comes from the roots (Ra- Ja- Ba) which means to praise, hail, sanctify- glorify something. Each one of the Islamic months has a meaning. Their meanings also have stories behind them and why they were named by such a name. Rajab was named by this name because people glorified this month and took breaks from any violent activities among each other. Rajab has a few other names. Each one of the other names means something inspiring as well. I found these names very beautiful and inspiring.

Al-A’ssam الأصم the silent one, it is named the silent month when no noises of violence are heard.
Al-Mu’alla المُعَلَّى the exalted one, because it was highly praised.
Rajam رَجَم ( Casting out) Because they thought that Shaytan (Satan) is being thrown with rocks during the month.
Al-Muqeem المُقِيم the staying one, they called it because it has been the same sacred month for a long time and never changed.
Al-a’ssab الأصَب the showering month, people of Makkah used to call it this name because they believed that the mercy showers them abundantly during this month.

4- An opportunity that comes to our doors every year
This month has multiple benefits for those who are interested in nurturing their spiritual needs:

A - an opportunity to rehearse for Ramadan by starting fasting.
B - a sacred month which Allah specifies as a month in which injustice to the self is far worse than in other months. Qatadah (a muslim scholar) said, “ injustice is generally haram (forbidden), but the fact that Allah specifies the four sacred months as months of justice indicates that injustice is worse in these months. The same applies to ensuring justice.
C - an opportunity for us to increase our acts of goodness ( rituals- relationships to others - relationships to Allah- morals- self-awareness and consciousness, etc).
D - an opportunity to learn about Islam and increase our knowledge of our faith by learning what sacred month names mean.
E - an opportunity to focus on repentance to Allah by flashing back our life memories and renewing our energy to come closer to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to ask for forgiveness and repent over 70 times per day.
F - a month when we should take a break from worldly attachment, especially indulgence in several entertainments that occupy most of our time, such as but not limited to video games, social media, tv. Rather, let’s spend more time nurturing and fostering our self-awareness by understanding the true meanings of your place in life as a servant of Allah.
G - a month when we need to increase our diligence and perseverance to fight injustice in this life and around us. It is a month for fighting all types of injustice that our fellow humans encounter in their daily lives.
H - an opportunity to raise awareness among fellow Muslims and non-Muslims about the beautiful aspects of Islam such as the idea of sacred four months. I found that Islam has been cornered and forced to be a faith that constantly needs to defend itself. I think we need to broaden the awareness of people to see the beauty of our faith.

O Allah, shower us with mercy and peace in Rajab and help us to be just and sincere with ourselves and others, Ameen!

Prayer Times

2/12/2021

PLEASE DOANTE TO Masjid Al Shuhadaa

1/29/2021

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1/4/2021

Online ISLAMIC classes

12/17/2020

MASJID REOPENING

11/1/2020

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you.

In light of new developments and guidelines recently released by the health professionals and the state of Colorado for houses of worship, we have decided to reopen the Masjid Al-shuhada’ partially for the following services:

Friday Prayer: Providing two khutbahs. The first starting at 12:30 pm and the other starting at 1:30 pm
Daily Salah Al-Asr and Salah Al-Maghrib

With the following guidelines:

We will have prayers at a limited capacity (50 people at the masjid at the same time), once we reach the limit, the doors will be closed to clean and disinfect the prayer hall area with disinfectors after every salah.
We will forward Salah Al-Isha to be combined at the time of Salah Al-Maghreb to be able to minimize the risk of having multiple contact with surfaces.
The masjid will open 20 minutes before the salah and close 10 minutes later, with no exceptions. The masjid will be closed after each salah for disinfection.
The time between Adhan and Iqamah is 10 minutes for all Salawaat and 6 feet of distance between each member is strictly applied.
The wudu area and restrooms will be completely closed as they are considered high risk areas.
Everyone who comes to pray at the masjid must wear a mask while inside the premises. We have a limited number of masks to give out so please try to bring your mask, and come with your wudu.
We will have hand sanitizers and forehead thermometers at the door of the Masjid and someone will check your temperature in order to enter. Masjid windows and doors will be opened during the duration of service.
We encourage everyone to bring their prayer rug. We will have plastic carpet covers for easier disinfection.
We will have two Khutbahs of Salah Al-Jumma’h (12:30 - 12:50 and 1:30 -1:50). The masjid will be closed between the two for disinfecting.
The Masjid will be suspend in-person lectures, reminders, and classes. We will carry out these activities online.

May Allah make us from those who honor His symbols such as performing Salah.

Ameen!

Masjid Al-Shuhada’ Board and the Imam

Colorado muslim food relief

4/20/2020

The Month of Sha’ban - THE FORGOTTEN MONTH

3/26/2020

1- Introduction
On Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 Muslims welcomed an important month in the Islamic calendar, the month of Sha’ban, the 8th month of the Islamic calendar. Some might ask, why is this month important to be known? How important is it? How was the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) able to develop a routine this month? In this short reminder, we will learn about one of the special months in the Islamic calendar, which is frequently forgotten. We will also uncover how to invest our time in this special month and get ready for the generous month of Ramadan.

2- Why the name
First, why is Sha’ban named this way? The word Sha’ban comes from the Arabic root SH-A’-B which means to separate or disperse. Arabs used to disperse looking for water or to get involved in wars after taking a truce during the sacred month of Rajab. Arabic months are named frequently to relate to wars or weather or both at the same time.

The month of Sha’ban is the month that comes after the sacred month of Rajab, 7th month. As we learned before, sacred months are months when people used to sanctify and stop wars between each other. That was before the message of the Prophet Muhammad and then Islam confirmed the practice of the sacred months as it dated back to the prophet Ibrahim.

3- Importance of the month
We learn about the holiness of spaces and times from our main sources, Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Sha’ban is very important month as we have multiple narrations about the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) observing this month in multiple ways, especially fasting. Lady A’isha (May Allah be pleased with her) said, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Shaaban." (Bukhari & Muslim). The Prophet would not fast Sha’ban and specify the month with fasting unless Sha’ban is important.
Usama Ibn Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) noticed that and asked the Prophet (SAW) about the reason. The response was, "This is a month when people are heedless about between Rajab and Ramadan and this is a month when my deeds are lifted and I prefer my deeds to be lifted while I am fasting.” (reported by Nisa’i)
Sha’aban has a very special night. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation. except a polytheist or one who is mushahin". [Reported in Sunan Ibn Majah]
Ammar Ibn Yasser, one of the great companions of the Prophet (SAW) was reported that he used to make himself ready for Sha’aban the same way he made himself ready for Ramadan. That explains why the sahaba were very aware of how special this month is for them to treat it as they treat Ramadan.
Doing an act of worship at times of distraction is a magnified act . The Messenger said, “ a worship during the times of Haraj (play) equals a Hijrah for Allah”. (reported by Muslim). Sha’ban is a month when people don’t pay attention and prepare for it. That is what makes it more important to signify the month with various acts of worship.

4- Important events in Sha’aban

Fasting the month of Ramadan was instructed upon Muslims on the tenth day of the month of Sha’ban in the second year after the Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah.
The obligatory Zakat El-Fitr (End of Ramadan alms giving) was instructed over Muslim in the month of Sha’ban.
During the month of Sha’ban, The change of Qiblah (direction of prayer) from AL-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem to Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah around 16 months after the Hijrah.

5- Our plan for Sha’ban
There are many things we can do during the month of Sha’ban, but I prefer to focus on one or two things to do and excel in them and be consistent.

Tawbah (repentance) Someone called Awon Ibn Abdullah used to remind himself, whenever he feels heedless of himself as a servant of Allah, saying to himself, “what is wrong with you?! How come you are heedless of yourself while the angel of death is waiting for you? Why do I have a length of hope in this life and death will come anytime?”. Awon Ibn Abdullah did something very important and we all need to learn this practice in our life. The practice of Yaqtha (self-awareness) and mindfulness. This mindfulness comes from regular practices on a daily basis. I think keeping five Salah (prayer) on time is a very good example to raise self-awareness and connect with Allah and the souls’ needs.
Increase the number of acts of worship to reach a level close to Ramadan. Plan to do half of what will you do in Ramadan in terms of (Night prayer for two days a week - Fasting two days a week- Salah on time for the five daily prayers - giving Charity at least 5 times during this month - Reading and reflecting on the ten parts of the Qur’an).

Masjid Al-Shuhada​

Masjid Al-Shuhada