Wa-alaikum As-salaam .

This month was regarded as one of the sacred months 'AL-ASH-HUR AL-7HURUM' in which battles were prohibited in the days of NABEE Sallal Laahu 3Alayhe Wasallam..

These 4 months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of THUL QA3DAH, THUL 7HIJJAH, MU7HARRAM and RAJAB...

NABEE Sallal Laahu 3Alayhe Wasallam said: 'One year consists of 12 months, of which 4 are sanctified months, 3 of them are in sequence, THUL QA3ADAH, THUL 7HIJJAH, MU7HARRAM and the 4th is RAJAB.. The specific mention of these 4 months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because RAMADHAAN is admittedly the most sanctified month...

Wa Alaikumus Salaam!

The sanctity of these 4 months was recognized right from the days of EBRAAHEEM 3ALAYHIS salaam.. Since the pagans of MAKKAH attributed themselves to him, they observed the sanctity of these 4 months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.. In the SHARI3AH of NABEE Sallal Laahu 3Alayhe Wasallam the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Noble QURAAN referred to them as the 'sanctified months..'

RAJAB is also deemed to be a prelude to the month of RAMADHAAN, because RAMADHAAN follows it after the intervening month of SHA3BAAN.. Therefore, when NABEE Sallal Laahu 3Alayhe Wasallam sighted the moon of RAJAB, he used to pray to ALLAAH in the following words:

'Allaahumma Baarik Lanaa Fee Rajab., wa Sha3baan... Wa Bal Lighnaa Ramadhaan... AAMEEN...

Oh ALLAAH! Bless us in the month of RAJAB.. And SHA3BAAN... And show us RAMADHAAN... *i.e prolong our life into RAMADHAAN, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings* AAMEEN..