22nd October 2026
Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in Islam, when good deeds carry greater reward and wrongdoing weighs more heavily. The Rajab month also marks the start of the two-month run-up to Ramadan, making it the traditional time to begin preparing your heart, habits and giving for the holy month.
Because Rajab has no obligatory fasts or rituals, it can easily pass by unnoticed. This guide explains what Rajab means, why it is sacred, the key events that took place in it and simple ways to make the most of it, so you can reach Ramadan ready. Start preparing for Ramadan with Human Appeal.
Rajab is the month that sits between Jumada al-Akhirah and Shaban, and its name comes from the Arabic root meaning “to respect” or “to honour”. Even before Islam, the Arabs honoured Rajab by laying down their weapons, and Islam confirmed its place as one of the sacred months.
Its significance lies in three things: it is a sacred month in which deeds are magnified, it is the month in which some of the most important events in Islamic history took place, and it opens the season of preparation that leads into Ramadan.
Rajab 1448 is expected to begin on or around Thursday 10 December 2026, or Saturday 12 December 2026 in the UK, depending on the sighting of the moon. It will end in early January 2027, with Shaban following straight after.
Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Rajab starts around 10–11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
Rajab is sacred because Allah made it one of four sacred months, alongside Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram. Allah says in the Quran that the number of months with Him is twelve, and that four of them are sacred (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36).
The Prophet ﷺ named these four months in his farewell sermon:
“The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three in succession, Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar, which comes between Jumada and Shaban.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Sacred month | Position in the Islamic calendar |
Muharram | 1st month |
Rajab | 7th month |
Dhul Qadah | 11th month |
Dhul Hijjah | 12th month |
In the sacred months, good deeds bring multiplied reward and sins carry a heavier weight, so they are a time to be especially mindful of what we say and do.
There are no obligatory acts of worship specific to Rajab, but it is an ideal month to increase your voluntary worship and begin preparing for Ramadan. Here are some of the best ways to spend it.
Voluntary fasting is encouraged in the sacred months. Set yourself a realistic goal, such as fasting every Monday and Thursday or the three ‘white days’ in the middle of the month (13th, 14th and 15th). The short winter days make Rajab the perfect time to make up any fasts missed last Ramadan, too.
Scholars note that there is no authentic evidence for singling out particular days of Rajab, such as the 27th, for a special fast, so focus on consistent voluntary fasting across the month.
Charity given in a sacred month is a powerful way to multiply your reward. This Rajab, your charity can bring food, shelter and hope to displaced families in Gaza, Sudan and beyond, and starting now means you’ll already be in the habit of giving when Ramadan arrives.
Visit the sick, check in on elderly relatives and neighbours, or give your time to a cause you care about. You can even become a volunteer with Human Appeal.
Use the sacred month to turn back to Allah. One comprehensive dua the Prophet ﷺ taught is:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
Transliteration: Allahumma ighfir li, warhamni, wahdini, wa ‘afini, warzuqni.
Translation: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me wellbeing and provide for me. (Muslim)
Many Muslims greet Rajab with the dua:
“Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Shaban, wa ballighna Ramadan.” O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.
This narration is recorded by Imam Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi. Hadith scholars consider its chain weak, but its meaning is sound and it is widely recited as a general dua.
Rajab is the month of some of the most significant moments in Islamic history.
The miraculous Night Journey is widely commemorated on the 27th of Rajab, although historians differ on its exact date. The Prophet ﷺ was taken from Makkah to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, where he led the prophets in prayer, before ascending through the heavens. It was on this journey that the five daily prayers were made obligatory. Read our step-by-step guide on how to perform salah.
The Prophet ﷺ led an army of around 30,000 towards the Byzantine frontier at Tabuk. The Byzantine army did not come out to meet them, so the expedition ended without fighting and strengthened the position of the Muslims in the region.
Salahuddin al-Ayyubi entered Jerusalem on 27 Rajab 583 AH (2 October 1187), restoring Muslim rule to the city and Masjid Al-Aqsa after almost 90 years of Crusader occupation.
According to many historical accounts, Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), the cousin, son-in-law and close companion of the Prophet ﷺ and the fourth caliph of Islam, was born on the 13th of Rajab. He was among the first to accept Islam and is remembered for his knowledge, courage and justice.
Rajab is two months before Ramadan, which makes it the natural time to start preparing. Imam Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month of planting the seeds, Shaban is the month of watering them, and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop.”
➔ Plant: set your intentions now. Choose one or two habits, such as fasting or a daily sunnah deed, and start them in Rajab.
➔ Water: build on those habits in Shaban. Learn why the 15th of Shaban is so significant.
➔ Harvest: enter Ramadan ready to give your best. Plan ahead with our guide to maximising your Ramadan donation.
This Rajab, sow the seeds for a fruitful Ramadan. Give to our Ramadan appeal. Here for every human. And here for as long as it takes.
Last Ramadan, your donations provided food parcels that ensured 485,011 people could break their fasts during Ramadan.
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Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of four sacred months, when good deeds are multiplied. It is important because of its sacred status, the major events that took place in it, such as the Night Journey, and because it begins the spiritual preparation for Ramadan.
Rajab is sacred because Allah made it one of the four sacred months, as stated in the Quran (9:36) and named by the Prophet ﷺ in his farewell sermon. In these months, Muslims are especially careful to avoid wrongdoing and increase in good deeds.
Rajab begins after the month of Jumada al-Akhirah, once the new crescent moon is sighted. In 2026, Rajab 1448 is expected to begin on or around 10–12 December, moving roughly 11 days earlier each following year.
There is no obligatory fasting in Rajab, but voluntary fasting is encouraged in the sacred months. Many people fast on Mondays and Thursdays or the white days (13th–15th), and use Rajab to make up missed Ramadan fasts.
Spend Rajab increasing your worship and preparing for Ramadan: fast voluntarily, seek forgiveness, give in charity, look after family and neighbours, and set clear goals for the holy month ahead.
