virtuous deeds. Rather, the vast majority are fabricated lies. The most that has been reported in this regard is “that when Rajab began, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would say, ‘O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha‘bān for us, and let us reach Ramadan.’”

Ibn Mājah narrated in his Sunan, from Ibn ‘Abbās, “that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade fasting Rajab.” Its chain of transmission is open to question. However, it is authentically established that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb would strike people’s hands to make them partake of food during Rajab, saying, “Do not make it like Ramadan.”

Abū Bakr once entered and saw that his family had bought water jugs and prepared to fast. He asked, “What is this?” They replied, “Rajab.” He said, “Do you wish to make it like Ramadan?” And he broke those jugs.

Thus, if someone refrains from fasting on some days, fasting on the remaining days is not disliked.

In the Musnad and elsewhere, there is a hadith stating that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed people to fast during the sacred months: Rajab, Dhū al-Qa‘dah, Dhū al-Hijjah, and al-Muharram. This concerns fasting during all four months, not singling out Rajab.

As for singling them out for devotional retreat, I know of no instruction to do so. Rather, anyone who observes a fast