This year in India, monsoon greeted the auspicious month of Rajab-ul-Asab. The word 'asab', usually used to describe a cloud, means 'pouring.' Rajab lives up truly to its name as it brings with it innumerable showers of barakaat continuing throughout the entire month. In monsoon, showers never cease as one rain bearing cloud is followed by another. Likewise in the month of Rajab, barakaat never cease as one miqaat filled with barakaat is followed closely by another.

The month begins with the day that bears historical significance. The first of Rajab was the day when the second Nabi, Maulana Nooh ^(AS) embarked on his safina (ark) and he instructed all the people accompanying him to observe fast, hence it is desirable to fast on this day.

"Ayyamul Beedh" begin from the 13th of Rajab, the day on which Maulana Ali ^(AS) was born inside the Kaa'ba. Mumineen fast on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Rajab and recite Quran e Majeed and pray on the 15th for the fulfillment of their desires and the alleviation of their sufferings. The namaz and roza were prescribed to Umme Dawood by Imam Ja'afar us Sadiq ^(AS) for the release of her son from the captivity of the tyrant, Abud Dawaneeq.

It is Aqa Maula's ^(TUS) desire that no mumin should be deprived of the barakat of performing ziyarat of Syedna Taher Saifuddin ^(RA). Mumineen flock in hundreds everyday for his ziyarat, but on the eve of Ayyam-ul-Barakaat-il-Khuldiyah (17, 18 and 19 of Rajab), the eve of the urs mubarak of Syedna Taher Saifuddin ^(RA), they throng in thousands from all parts of the world to perform ziyarat and listen to his heir and successor, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin ^(TUS) deliver waaz mubarak, recounting the details of Syedna Taher Saifuddin's ^(RA) virtues and his bounties on dawat.

Seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of Mecca Mukarramah, Rasulullah ^(SA) would often seek solace in a cave on the top of "Jabal-ur-Rahmat" (the mountain of mercy) and spend time in meditation and contemplation. It was here that the angel, Jibraeel, commenced the revelation of Quran, and Rasulullah ^(SA) was bestowed with prophet hood marking the nascence of Islam. Mumineen commemorate this day, the 27th of Rajab, by fasting.

Years later, Rasulullah ^(SA) was escorted to the celestial world beyond the realms of time and space. Rising above the earth and the heavens, Allah revealed to him all that could be known about his creation: its marvels, its secrets, its invaluable treasures, the useful and harmful substances, and also made him aware of the past and the future till the end of time. This occurred on the 27th of Rajab and it is known as Yaum ul-Isra wal Meraj, in which Rasulullah (SAW) was lead from Mecca to Bait ul Muqaddas, from where he ascended to the heavens.

Certainly, the month of Rajab is filled with wonders of Deen and Islam as a wise man once commented, "Live to see Rajab and you will witness 'ajab' (wonders)."