Question
The following du’a is commonly recited at the beginning of Rajab, Is it authentic?
Some people say it’s baseless and should not be read.
Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Shaban wa balighna Ramadan.
Answer
Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Malik (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite the following supplication when the Month of Rajab would commence:
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَناَ فِيْ رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبانَ وَبَلّغْنَا رَمَضَانْ
Allahumma barik lana fi Rajabiw wa Sha’bana wa balligh-na Ramadan
Translation: Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.
(Shu’abul-Iman, Hadith: 3534, Ibnu Sunni, Hadith: 660, Mukhtasar Zawaid Bazzar, Hadith: 662, also see Al-Adhkar, Hadith: 549)
Authenticity
This Hadith is classified as weak but suitable for practice.
To say that this du’a is baseless is exaggerate.
‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) said the chain is slightly weak. (Al-Adhkar, Hadith: 549)
Hafiz Ibn Rajab Al-Hambali (rahimahullah) says this narration is suitable to prove the merit of reciting this du’a -“istihbab”. Lataif, pg.172.
‘Allamah Muhammad Tahir Al-Fatani (rahimahullah) declares it weak and suitable to practice in this instance. (Tadhkiratul Mawdu’at, pg.117)
It should be noted that weak Hadiths that have du’as can be implemented.
(Mustadrak Hakim, beginning of the Chapter on Du’as and Nataijul Afkar of Hafiz Ibn Hajar, vol.5 pg.291)
Note: The narration states that this du’a be recited at the ‘beginning’ of Rajab.
Click here to read more on ‘what to do in Rajab and Sha’ban’
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar