The Virtues of Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the Month of Rajab, Check the Rules So You Don't Get It Wrong

Kapanlagi.com - The month of Rajab, a month filled with blessings and honored in Islam, brings various virtues for its followers. Along with Dzulqa'dah, Dzulhijjah, and Muharram, Rajab is included in the category of "asyhurul hurum" or sacred months that hold a special status before Allah. In this holy month, Muslims are encouraged to increase their acts of worship, such as prayer, dhikr, and one of them is the Sunnah fast.

The fast on Mondays and Thursdays is a favorite choice for many who wish to attain more blessings in this month full of mercy. This Sunnah worship, taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, invites Muslims to fast every Monday and Thursday with sincere intentions for the sake of Allah. Besides providing spiritual benefits, this fast also brings physical health and becomes a golden opportunity to draw closer to Allah SWT.

Combining the intention of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays with fasting in the month of Rajab certainly adds virtues to each implementation, considering that the month of Rajab is filled with blessings. In this article, we will delve deeper into the intention of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Rajab, how to combine that intention, and practical guidelines to maximize your fasting worship and gain multiplied rewards.

Here is more complete information:

1. The Virtues of Fasting in the Month of Rajab

The month of Rajab comes as a highly honored month in Islam, being one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur'an. In this month, Muslims are encouraged to double their worship and good deeds, one of which is through fasting. The hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW emphasizes that fasting in the month of Rajab holds extraordinary virtues, where every deed performed can yield multiplied rewards.

This month is filled with mercy and blessings, becoming the right moment for those who wish to prepare themselves to welcome Sha'ban and Ramadan. With a sincere intention, fasting in Rajab not only brings one closer to Allah but also cleanses sins. The Messenger of Allah SAW also reminded that acts of worship performed on Mondays and Thursdays, especially while fasting, are highly beloved by Allah.

Therefore, observing the Monday and Thursday fasts in the month of Rajab is very special, promising blessings that are not only felt in this world but also in the Hereafter.

2. Intention of Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the Month of Rajab

Before starting the fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Rajab, it is important to prepare a sincere and heartfelt intention, as intention is the key factor that distinguishes between obligatory fasting and sunnah fasting. This intention can be expressed in the heart or spoken out loud, as long as it is accompanied by a deep awareness to perform the worship.

Quoting from NU Online, for Monday fasting, the intention is: "Nawaitu sauma yaumal itsnaini sunnatan lillahi ta'ala," which means "I intend to fast on Monday, a sunnah for the sake of Allah Ta'alaa." Meanwhile, for Thursday fasting, the intention is: "Nawaitu sauma yaumal khomiisi sunnatan lillahi ta'ala," which means "I intend to fast on Thursday, a sunnah for the sake of Allah Ta'alaa." This intention should be stated seriously, either on the night before dawn or before the noon prayer during the day.

However, if someone forgets to make the intention at night, there is still an opportunity to do so during the day, as long as they have not engaged in anything that invalidates the fast.

3. Combining the Intention of Monday-Thursday Fasting with Rajab Fasting

Many are curious whether we can combine the intention of Monday-Thursday fasting with Rajab fasting in this blessed month. According to scholars, the answer is yes! This practice, known in fiqh as tadakhul, allows us to perform both of these Sunnah fasts simultaneously and earn rewards from both.

However, there are some important things to remember: our intention must be sincere and accompanied by the understanding that both of these acts of worship are performed solely to seek the pleasure of Allah. If we only intend for one of the fasts, then only that act of worship will be counted, while the other will be void. But don't worry! Scholars agree that if we combine the intentions of Rajab fasting and Monday-Thursday fasting with the correct intention, then both acts of worship will be accepted by Allah.

This is because the essence of fasting is to fill our time with worship, similar to the Tahiyatul Masjid prayer which aims to enliven the place with prayer.

4. Guidelines for Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the Month of Rajab

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Rajab is not just a ritual, but also a means to deepen spirituality and maintain health. This tradition is derived from the example of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who mentioned in a hadith that good deeds will be shown to Allah on those days, making this fast a gateway to abundant blessings.

You can observe this fast every Monday and Thursday throughout the month of Rajab, or take the special opportunity on Ayyamul Bidh—on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Rajab—which is recommended for fasting due to its extraordinary virtues. Additionally, you may also choose an alternating fasting pattern, following the example of Prophet David AS, by fasting one day and breaking the fast the next day.

However, it is important to remember that Muslims are not encouraged to fast fully throughout the month, so combining the Monday and Thursday fast with other Sunnah fasts is a wise choice to achieve maximum benefits.

5. Monday-Thursday Fasting Schedule in the Month of Rajab 1446 H

To facilitate Muslims in performing the Sunnah fasting, here is the schedule for Monday-Thursday fasting and Ayyamul Bidh in the month of Rajab 1446 H, which falls in January 2025. Note the important dates:

Thursday, January 2, 2025 (2 Rajab 1446 H)

Monday, January 6, 2025 (6 Rajab 1446 H)

Thursday, January 9, 2025 (9 Rajab 1446 H)

Monday, January 13, 2025 (13 Rajab 1446 H)

Thursday, January 16, 2025 (16 Rajab 1446 H)

Monday, January 20, 2025 (20 Rajab 1446 H)

Thursday, January 23, 2025 (23 Rajab 1446 H)

Monday, January 27, 2025 (27 Rajab 1446 H)

Thursday, January 30, 2025 (30 Rajab 1446 H)

6. Is it permissible to combine Monday-Thursday fasting with Rajab fasting?

Of course, combining the intention of Monday-Thursday fasting with Rajab fasting in Islam is allowed! As long as the intention we instill is sincere and in accordance with the Sharia, we can still reap multiple rewards from both of these blessed fasts.

7. When is the right time to fast in the month of Rajab?

To achieve greater rewards in observing the fast in the month of Rajab, it is recommended to do so on special days such as Monday, Thursday, or on Ayyamul Bidh, which are the 13th, 14th, and 15th.

8. Must the intention for the Rajab fast be spoken at night?

The blessed Rajab fast can be declared with the intention on the night before dawn. However, if you miss it, don't worry! Intention during the day is still allowed, as long as you have not done anything that invalidates the fast.

(kpl/srr)