The Significance of Fasting on 27th Rajab

Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Sayyidi Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Alaihir Rahmah, writes: Al-Bayhaqi in Shuʿabul-Iman and Daylami in Musnadul-Firdaus have narrated, with a Marfoo chain of narration, from Hazrat Salman Faarsi RadiAllahu Anhu:

Translation: In the month of Rajab there is one day and one night. Whoever fasts on that day and spends that night in worship will be like one who has fasted for one hundred years and stood in Salaah for one hundred years, and that is the 27th of Rajab, and on it Allah

Almighty sent Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلمas a Messenger. (Imam Bayhaqi said: This narration is Munkar. (References: Al-Firdaus Bi-Ma’thoorilKhitaab, Hadith 4381; Shuʿabul-Iman, Hadith 3811/ Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah Beirut, also cited in Kanzul-Ummaal.) It is also narrated therein, through the route of Abaan bin Ayaash, from Hazrat Sayyiduna Anas RadiAllahu Anhu, as a Marfoo narration:

Translation: In the month of Rajab there is a night in which a person who engages in righteous deeds is granted the reward of one hundred years, and that night is the 27th of Rajab. Whoever performs twelve Raka'at on that night reciting Suratul-Fatihah and one Surah in each Raka'at recites Tashahhud on every two Raka'at and concludes with Salaam. Thereafter, he recites “SubhaanAllah, Wal-Hamdu Lillah, Wa Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu, Wa-Allahu Akbar” one hundred times, seeks forgiveness from Allah Almighty one hundred times, sends blessings

(Durood) upon the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمone hundred times, and then supplicates for whatever he wishes concerning his worldly and religious affairs. If he then fasts the following morning, Allah Almighty will accept all his supplications except a supplication made for sin. AlBayhaqi said: This narration is weaker than the previous one. Ibn Hajar said: Two of its narrators are accused (of fabrication). (References: Shuʿabul-Iman, Hadith 38121; Kanzul-Ummaal) In Fawaaid Hunaad, it is narrated from Hazrat Anas RadiAllahu Anhu: I was granted Prophethood on the 27th of Rajab. Whoever fasts on that day and supplicates at the time of breaking the fast will receive expiation for ten years (of sins). Its chain of narration is Munkar. (Reference: Tanzeehush-Shariah, citing Fawaaid Hunaad, KitaabusSaum, Hadith Shareef 41 / Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah Beirut.) In Juze Abi Muʿaadh Marwazi, through the route of Shahr ibn Hawshab, it is narrated as a Mauqoof report from Hazrat Abu Hurairah RadiAllahu Anhu:

Translation: Whoever fasts on the 27th day of Rajab, Allah Almighty will record for him the reward of fasting for sixty months. This is the day on which Jibra’eel Alaihis Salaam descended upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم with the Prophethood. (Reference: Tanzeehush-Shariah, citing Juze

Abi Muʿaadh, Chapter of Fasting, Hadith 41). In Maa Thabata BisSunnah, quoted from Tanzeehush-Shariah, it is stated:

This is the best of what has been narrated on this subject.

The Summary: This practice does have a basis. Moreover, according to the consensus of the Imams, weak Hadiths are accepted in matters of virtuous deeds. (Fataawa Razviyyah Shareef, Volume 10, Page 647– 649/Raza Foundation, Lahore) Important Note: The Beloved Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمbeing granted Prophethood on the 27th and Jibreel Alaihis Salaam descending with Prophethood, in no way means that He صلى الله عليه وسلمonly became a Prophet then, but it means that He صلى الله عليه وسلمwas blessed with the Divine Authorisation to announce His صلى الله عليه وسلمProphethood then, because the Beloved Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمsays, I was a Nabi then, when Adam Alaihis Salaam was between water and clay.