The Ruling on Fighting during the Sacred Months: Ibn Rajab

In his chapter concerning the sacred month of Rajab, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali brought forth the following discussion on the ruling of fighting during the sacred months (al-Ashhoor al-Hurum):

وقد اختلف العلماء في حكم القتال في الأشهر الحرم هل تحريمه باق أو نسخ ؟ فالجمهور على أنه نسخ تحريمه ونص على نسخه الإمام أحمد وغيره من الأئمة . وذهبت طائفة من السلف ، منهم عطاء ، إلى بقاء تحريمه ورجحه بعض المتأخرين واستدلوا بآية المائدة والمائدة من آخر ما نزل من القرآن وقد روي: “أحلوا حلالها وحرموا حرامها” ـ

The scholars have differed concerning the ruling of fighting during the Sacred Months – does its prohibition remain or was it abrogated? The majority are of the opinion that its prohibition was abrogated, and Imam Ahmad and others from the scholars specifically stated that. And a group of the salaf held the position – and among them was ‘Ataa’ – that its prohibition remained, and some of the latter-day scholars held that to be correct and they used the ayah of surah al-Maa’idah* as evidence since al-Maa’idah was one of the last parts of the Qur’an to be revealed. And it is narrated [concerning surah al-Maa’idah], “Consider halaal its halaal, and consider haraam its haraam.”

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“The month of ‪‎Rajab‬ is the key to the months of goodness and blessings”: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali

Ibn Rajab, in his work Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif which details the virtuous deeds, innovated acts, and recommended practices of the various months of the Islamic calender, mentioned the following points of benefit in the conclusion of his chapter on the month of Rajab:

وروى زائدة بن أبي الرقاد ، عن زياد النميري ، عن أنس ، قال : كان رسول الله ﷺ إذا دخل رجب قال : اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلِّغنا رمضان

Zaa’idah ibn Abi al-Ruqaad narrated from Ziyaad al-Nameeri, from Anas who said: When Rajab would come, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say, “O Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Sha’baan and allow us to reach Ramadan!”*

وروى عن أبي إسماعيل الأنصاري أنه قال : لم يصحّ في فضل رجب غير هذا الحديث . وفي قوله نظرٌ؛ فإنّ هذا الإسناد فيه ضعفٌ. وفي هذا الحديث دليلٌ على استحباب الدعاء بالبقاء إلى الأزمان الفاضلة ؛ لإدراك الأعمال الصالحة فيها ؛ فإنّ المؤمن لا يزيده عمره إلّا خيراً ، وخيرُ الناس من طال عمره وحَسُنَ عمله. وكان السلف يستحبون أن يموتوا عَقِبَ عملٍ صالحٍ ؛ من صوم رمضان ، ورجوع من الحجّ ، وكان يقال : من مات كذلك غُفِرَله

And it is narrated from Abu Ismaa’eel al-Ansaari that he said, “There is nothing authentic regarding the merit of Rajab other than this hadeeth.” However there are different views on his statement, for this isnad contains some weakness.

This hadeeth contains an evidence for the desirability to supplicate for the extension of one’s life until virtuous times, in order to attain righteous good deeds therein. For verily the believer does not have his lifespan increased except that it is good for him, and the best of people are those whose lives are long and who beautify their actions (i.e. with obedience). And the salaf used to prefer that they would die shortly after a righteous deed, such as the fast of Ramadan, or returning from the Hajj, and they used to say, “Whoever dies like that will be forgiven.”