Overview

Rabi-Ul-Thani is the fourth month in the islamic calendar. This month is also known as Rabi-Ul-Akhir. Shariah has not prescribed any special function or worship in this month. There are however some false customs that are practiced in this month which are highlighted below.

False Customs

The 11th of the month of Rabi-Ul-Thani is the anniversary of Shaikh Abdulqadir al-Jilani, a great sufi and one of the most pious people in our history. On this assumption people cook special meals and celebrate. They believe that doing so will please the soul of the Shaikh and he will help us reach our mundane goals. These practices however are totally baseless.

Why should Rabi-Ul-Thani be observed like any other month?

  • It is not historically proven that the Shaikh died om the 11th of this month. Some historians claim he died on the 9th and some even claim the 19th.
  • Even if the Shaikh died on the 11th of this month, the observation of anniversaries is not recognized by Shariah as explained in the month of Rabi-Ul-Awwal.
  • If you base the practice on the belief that it will please the Shaikh's soul it is completely incorrect and may amount to 'shirk'.

Highlights

The celebration of anniversaries and birthdays is not recognized by Shariah.

It is not proven that Shaikh Abdulqadir al-Jilani died on the 11th of Rabi-Ul-Thani.
Observe this month as any other.

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّـهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ 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. [9:36]
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ صِيَامِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ ‏"‏َ Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is Allah's month Al-Muharram." (Tirmidhi)
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدَهُمْ يَصُومُونَ يَوْمًا، يَعْنِي عَاشُورَاءَ، فَقَالُوا هَذَا يَوْمٌ عَظِيمٌ، وَهْوَ يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللَّهُ فِيهِ مُوسَى، وَأَغْرَقَ آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ، فَصَامَ مُوسَى شُكْرًا لِلَّهِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ‏.‏ٌ " Ibn Abbas (RAD) narrates that when the Prophet (SAW) came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Mus (AS) and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Musa (AS) observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet (SAW) said, "I am closer to Musa than they are." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. (Abi Dawud)

Do's

  • Observe this month as you would any other month.
  • We should always strive to please Allah (SWT) every day and month of our life.

Don'ts

  • Shariah does not recognize or celebrate anniversaries.
  • Such practices are completely mundane and baseless from every angle.