What exactly is Leilatul Raghaib?

[Ruhi_Rose]

I suppose it's some special day in the month of Rajab.  Can anyone give some details.  It must be from Hadith, right? 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Salams sis. 

The first Thursday night of the month of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib.  It's mostly followed by the Shiias. 

Those who follow Lailatul Raghaib
-  fast on the first Thursday of Rajab,
-  then offer a special prayer called "amal" between Maghrib and Isha
-  and recite or read Surah Yasin before going to bed

According to the belief of Shiia Hadith followers, a person offering this prayer on Lailatul Raghaib will be saved from the punishments of the grave .. similar to the Sunni belief of grave punishments.

Regardless of these Hadith beliefs, the "amal" is itself a very good prayer.  Instead of Rajab, it would be a very good idea to offer it on a couple of nights of Ramadan when worship or ibadah to the maximum is required .... or as much as one can manage.

"Amal" is quite a lengthy prayer.  It includes 12 rakats of prayer in sets of 2 rakats which would make it 6 prayers.  The following is the method for offering "amal" prayer.

In every rakat, after reciting Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Qadr 3 times and Surah Ikhlas 12 times.

Then, after finishing the prayer or salat, recite the following 70 times each.

1)  اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلي مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الاُْمِّيِّ وَعَلي آلِهِ
Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa a’laa aaleh
O Allah send blessings on Muhammad, the Ummi Prophet, and on his descendants.

Then go into sajdah & recite 70 times:

2)  سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلائِکَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’
Holy and most Holy is the Rab of the Angels and spirits

Then sit erect & say 70 times:

3) رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَتَجاوَزْ عَمّا تَعْلَمُ اِنَّکَ اَنْتَ الْعَلِيُّ الاَعْظَمُ
rabbighfir war-ham watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zam
O Rab! Forgive, have mercy and be indulgent about that which Thou knows well, verily Thou art Sublime, Mighty

Then again go into sajdah & say 70 times:

4) سُبُّوحٌ قُدّوُسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلائِکَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
subbooh’un quddoos rabbul malaaekate war-rooh’
Holy and most Holy is the Rab of the angels and spirits

Then supplicate or ask Allah for whatever you want.

Reciting the zikrs 70 times while on prostration or sajoud might be physically difficult for some people who suffer from back problems or injuries or very old age.  In that case they can either shorten it or simply offer their prayers sitting on a chair.

According to Shiia Hadith narrated by some Ibn Tawoos and Allama Al-Hilli, this practice of fasting on the first Thursday of Rajab and offering "amal" comes from the Prophet (pbuh).  However, only Allah knows best if it really comes from the Prophet (pbuh).  But like I said, since it's a good prayer with 12 rakats of Quranic Surahs and zikrs which praise Allah, it should be observed on at least one day during Ramadan. 

Just for information, this Ibn Tawoos and Al-Hilli Hadith narration says that one of the blessings of "amal" prayer is that many sins are forgiven, and also anyone who performs it, on the first night in his grave Allah will send down this Amal as a person with a beautiful and very bright face, who will give that person the good tidings that Allah has given you security from all hardship and sorrows of the grave. The dead person will be amazed and he will ask this person who are you? I have never seen a beautiful face like yours, nor did I ever hear someone speak so softly and sweetly. The person will answer “I am the thawab of the amal that you had performed on such year at such place and on such and such night” I have come to give you company in your loneliness and to remove your fear; and on the day of judgement when you will be awakened I will be your shade.  I repeat, I mentioned this bit just for information to let you know that this is the Hadith for Lailatul Raghaib.  But since such things are not at all confirmed nor warranted by the Noble Quran, therefore don't accept it.  Also I repeat, the "amal" prayer itself is very good.  After offering it, leave the rest on Allah Almighty.  If He wills, He will grant whatever reward He pleases.  We cannot pick the reward for ourselves in lieu of the prayers we offer.  It's entirely upto Him.


To know the Sunni traditions on Rajab, check the following links:


- Hadith mess on Rajab & Shaban fasting

- How far would you agree with this perception of Rajab & Shaban?

[Zainab_M]

the "amal" prayer itself is very good.  After offering it, leave the rest on Allah Almighty.  If He wills, He will grant whatever reward He pleases.  We cannot pick the reward for ourselves in lieu of the prayers we offer.  It's entirely upto Him.

MashAllah sister Heba, you've explained this matter so well.  Indeed the amal prayer with the dua is very good.  And yes, we do not know how Allah might decide to reward us for it, if he accepts our offering of the amal prayer.  We must simply offer it and leave it to Him.  And, while we should continue with our daily spiritual schedule in the month of Rajab and Shaban, we must keep the additional amal prayer to be offered during one of the nights of Ramadan. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Thank u so much sisters.  and thanks for the details sister Heba.  I totally agree with the perspective that it's a great idea to offer this special prayer on one of the nights of Ramadan or more than one night, if one can manage.   InshAllah, I'll write the method of this prayer and keep it to be used in Ramadan which is quite close.

I also agree that it might be difficult to recite the zikr 70 times while on sajood because one has to keep counting on the tasbih otherwise it's not possible to keep count, and it's difficult to use the tasbih while on sajood.  So, in that case the number of times the zikr is recited on sajood can be shortened and continued after sitting erect and then the zikr to be recited while sitting can be said after it.  Right?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

I also agree that it might be difficult to recite the zikr 70 times while on sajood because one has to keep counting on the tasbih otherwise it's not possible to keep count, and it's difficult to use the tasbih while on sajood.  So, in that case the number of times the zikr is recited on sajood can be shortened and continued after sitting erect and then the zikr to be recited while sitting can be said after it.  Right?

Welcomed sis Rose. 

Yes, correct.  You can shorten the zikr during sajood and continue the same zikr when you sit up, and then start the next zikr which is to be said while sitting. 

Btw, one can also shorten (or change) the total number of 70 to less or more.  After all, these numbers are not stated in the Quran.  These are decided by people.  Therefor, someone may prefer to recite each zikr 70 times, but someone else might want to keep it at 20 or 10 times each or some other person may even keep it more than 70.  It all depends upon person to person, depending on how much time and energy each person has.  What's really important is to keep it within one's capacity, because if one is very tired and is not able to do the zikrs more than 10 times each and tries to recite it 70 times, then they will lose concentration after a while and will try to rush through it like a parrot.  That's not the purpose.  To recite a Surah or zikr 2 or 3 times with full concentration & understanding is much better and beneficial than to recite it 100 times mechanically like a parrot. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Exactly, very correct point.  I think I would keep the zikrs at 20 or 25 times each.  I think then I would be able to manage it better and I could even get the time to offer it more than one night, InshAllah.