With the arrival of Rajab, Muslims across the UAE start spiritually and practically preparing for Ramadan 2026, focusing on prayer, reflection, community activities, and planning ahead for the upcoming holy month of fasting and devotion.
“UAE Muslims Begin Preparations for Ramadan 2026 with the Start of Rajab”.
With the onset of Rajab, a month held in high esteem within the Islamic calendar, Muslims in the UAE and across the globe are beginning to shift their attention toward inner growth and spiritual readiness in anticipation of Ramadan. This period is widely seen as a valuable opportunity to reconnect with faith, strengthen personal discipline, and gradually prepare both the heart and mind for the intense devotion associated with the holy month of fasting.
Rajab occupies a unique position in the Hijri calendar, as it is one of the four sacred months designated in Islam. These months are traditionally regarded as times of heightened spiritual significance, when ethical conduct, worship, and mindfulness carry added importance. As Rajab begins, many believers increase acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and reflection, viewing this month as a spiritual stepping stone toward Ramadan. Rather than waiting for Ramadan itself, Muslims often use Rajab to cultivate better habits and deepen their awareness of religious responsibilities.
Speaking during a lecture that was streamed live on Instagram earlier this week, Sheikh Nasser Al Hammadi of Sharjah Islamic Affairs highlighted the special status of Rajab and its role in the broader Islamic year. He explained that sacred months are periods in which moral accountability is heightened: negative actions are considered more serious, while good deeds are believed to bring multiplied rewards. This understanding encourages Muslims to be especially cautious in their behavior and more committed to acts of righteousness during this time.
Sheikh Al Hammadi emphasized that Rajab serves as a reminder for believers to reassess their intentions and actions. It is a time to seek forgiveness, mend relationships, and move away from harmful habits. By doing so, individuals can enter Ramadan with a clearer conscience and a stronger spiritual foundation. He noted that the gradual progression from Rajab to Sha’ban, and then to Ramadan, offers a natural rhythm for preparation, allowing believers to ease into the demands of fasting, increased prayer, and self-restraint.
Across the UAE, mosques, families, and individuals often mark the beginning of Rajab with renewed dedication to learning and worship. Religious talks, study circles, and online lectures become more frequent, helping people better understand the meaning of the sacred months and their relevance in daily life. For many, this period is not only about ritual observance but also about personal transformation—becoming more patient, compassionate, and mindful of others.
Globally, Muslims share this collective sense of anticipation as Rajab signals that Ramadan is drawing closer. The month acts as an early call to spiritual awareness, reminding believers that preparation is just as important as the destination itself. Through reflection, repentance, and renewed commitment to faith, Rajab helps set the tone for a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Sheikh Nasser Al Hammadi underscored that Rajab should be observed with a balanced and authentic approach to worship, urging Muslims to focus on broadly encouraged acts of devotion while steering clear of rituals or practices that lack sound foundation in Islamic teachings. He explained that devotion during this sacred month should be guided by established religious principles rather than cultural habits or innovations that are not supported by reliable sources.
During his explanation, Sheikh Al Hammadi clarified that Rajab is one of the four sacred months known in Islam as Al-Ashhur Al-Hurum. These months—Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab—hold a special status in the Islamic calendar due to their historical and spiritual significance. He noted that these periods are intended to promote peace, reflection, and heightened moral awareness, making them ideal times for self-discipline and spiritual renewal. According to the Sheikh, Rajab in particular plays an important role as a spiritual gateway, leading believers toward the months that follow.
He described Rajab as the starting point of a gradual preparation process that continues into Sha’ban and reaches its peak during Ramadan. Drawing a simple but meaningful comparison, Sheikh Al Hammadi likened this journey to the work of a farmer. Just as a farmer begins by planting seeds, then nurturing them with water and care until the time of harvest arrives, Muslims are encouraged to use Rajab to lay the groundwork for spiritual growth. Sha’ban, he explained, represents a phase of strengthening and consistency, while Ramadan becomes the season in which the fruits of patience, discipline, and devotion are fully realized.
When discussing worship during Rajab, Sheikh Al Hammadi stressed that Islam does not prescribe any specific acts of worship that are unique to this month alone. Instead, believers are encouraged to increase their general acts of obedience—such as prayer, charity, remembrance of God, and reading the Qur’an—just as they would at any time of the year. However, because Rajab is sacred, Muslims are advised to be more mindful, sincere, and consistent in their worship, making a conscious effort to avoid sinful behavior and neglect of religious duties.
The Sheikh also addressed common misconceptions surrounding fasting in Rajab. He pointed out that while voluntary fasting is a commendable act of worship, there is no authentic evidence to suggest that fasting the entire month of Rajab is required or recommended. He reminded listeners that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not fast a full month outside of Ramadan. Even in Sha’ban, a month in which the Prophet (PBUH) was known to fast frequently, he did not observe fasting every single day.
To further clarify this point, Sheikh Al Hammadi referenced the position of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who actively discouraged people from fasting throughout the whole of Rajab. Umar (RA) was concerned that doing so might cause the month to be perceived as similar to Ramadan, which holds a unique and obligatory status in Islam. This distinction, the Sheikh explained, is important in preserving the clarity and balance of Islamic worship.
In conclusion, Sheikh Al Hammadi encouraged Muslims to view Rajab as a time for sincere preparation rather than excess or innovation. By focusing on authentic worship, correcting intentions, and gradually building spiritual habits, believers can enter Sha’ban and Ramadan with stronger faith, better discipline, and a deeper sense of purpose. Rajab, he emphasized, is not about doing something extraordinary, but about doing what is right—with consistency, understanding, and devotion.
Sheikh Nasser Al Hammadi also devoted part of his address to clarifying actions that Muslims should avoid during the month of Rajab, stressing the importance of maintaining authenticity and balance in religious practice. He cautioned believers against attaching special rituals or acts of worship to Rajab without clear and reliable evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to the Sheikh, good intentions alone are not sufficient if the act itself is not grounded in Islamic teachings.
He explained that the core principle of worship in Islam is strict adherence to what has been divinely legislated. Acts of worship are not based on personal preference, emotion, or tradition, but on revelation and prophetic guidance. Introducing practices that were not established by the Prophet (PBUH) or his companions, even if they appear outwardly virtuous, is not considered acceptable within Islamic law. Sheikh Al Hammadi emphasized that preserving the purity of worship is essential to maintaining the integrity of the faith.
In this context, he specifically addressed practices that some people mistakenly associate with Rajab. Among them is the belief that certain prayers, such as Salat Al-Raghaib, hold special merit when performed during this month. He clarified that there is no authentic evidence supporting the idea that this prayer was prescribed by the Prophet (PBUH) or practiced by the early generations of Muslims. Similarly, he warned against the notion that performing Umrah during Rajab carries a unique or superior reward compared to other times of the year. While Umrah itself is a virtuous act at any time, singling out Rajab for it without proof is not supported by sound Islamic scholarship.
Sheikh Al Hammadi stressed that Muslims must be careful not to elevate any act of worship to a special status unless that status has been clearly established in Islamic sources. He explained that adding conditions, timing, or exclusivity to acts of worship without evidence can gradually alter the religion and blur the distinction between what is divinely ordained and what is humanly invented. This, he warned, can lead to confusion among believers and the gradual normalization of practices that were never intended to be part of Islam.
Quoting a clear principle, Sheikh Al Hammadi reminded listeners that Muslims should not perform, modify, or single out any act of worship unless it is firmly rooted in Islamic law. He emphasized the responsibility of every believer to seek knowledge and ensure that their worship aligns with authentic teachings. He cautioned strongly against religious innovation, explaining that Islam is complete and does not require additions or alterations to be spiritually fulfilling.
The Sheikh further advised that the correct way to honor Rajab is by following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in how he observed all months of the year. This includes maintaining consistency in prayer, avoiding sinful behavior, increasing remembrance of Allah, and performing voluntary acts of worship without assigning them special significance unless evidence exists. By doing so, Muslims ensure that their devotion remains sincere, balanced, and in harmony with the Sunnah.
In concluding his remarks, Sheikh Al Hammadi encouraged believers to use Rajab wisely by focusing on lawful and meaningful acts of worship that are universally encouraged in Islam. Rather than seeking novelty or unique rituals, Muslims are advised to deepen their understanding of the faith and strengthen their relationship with Allah through established practices. He emphasized that true spiritual growth comes not from innovation, but from faithfully following the prophetic example with sincerity, humility, and consistency throughout Rajab and beyond.
