Welcoming Rajab 1446: A Month to Sow Seeds, Not Tear Down
January 1st, 2025, aligns with the 1st of Rajab, 1446, in the Islamic lunar calendar. For me, this feels so much more aligned with my heart than the typical "Happy New Year."
Why? Because our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) marked the passage of time through the Hijri calendar, starting with the Hijrah—the monumental migration from Makkah to Madinah. It was a turning point in his mission and a powerful lesson in faith, resilience, and trust in Allah.
The lunar calendar itself just makes sense. It’s beautifully aligned with nature—the moon cycles marking the beginning and end of each month. Where did those extra days in the Gregorian calendar even come from?
Now, let’s talk about Rajab, a month unlike any other. It’s one of the sacred months where fighting and conflict are prohibited. It’s a time to focus on good deeds, sow seeds of righteousness, and gear up for something extraordinary—Ramadan, just two months away.
Yes, Ramadan! The best time of the year. The weight of life lifts, the whispers of syaitan (was-was) are silenced, and our hearts feel lighter. It’s Allah’s promise: during Ramadan, the gates of Paradise open, Hell is closed, and syaitan is chained. But here’s the catch—if we still find ourselves indulging in bad habits during Ramadan, that’s on us. It’s a mirror held up to our character, our ego, our nafs. Ramadan is our ultimate reset, a divine equalizer gifted by Allah to help us purify ourselves and face who we truly are.
Ramadan is a spiritual journey that goes by so fast yet contains so many turns. Learn more with Yaqeen Institute here.
And Rajab? This is our runway to Ramadan. It’s not a sprint or an all-or-nothing resolution like New Year’s. Instead, it’s a gradual, intentional preparation. We plant seeds of goodness now so we can cultivate them in Sha’ban (more on that later) and harvest them fully in Ramadan.
Here’s what I’m sowing this month—Insha Allah (God Willing):
Eating more veggies—truth be told, I’ve been slacking here.
Walking 3 miles a day—movement is medicine.
Reading Quran half a Juz daily—I’m building this up, inspired by the amazing sisters around me.
Learning Arabic—Preply has been great, but I’m adding Rabata to the mix.
Studying the Seerah—rediscovering the Prophet’s life is soul-nourishing.
Doing weekly tadabbur—and, Insha’Allah, making it daily.
Reevaluating my finances—with a focus on building up Barakah (Blessings) through charitable giving.
What seeds will you plant this Rajab? Remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about doing something.
Something isn’t nothing.
It’s a step forward.
The world is waiting for you to show up as God intended you to.
Let’s sow seeds of faith and goodness together, Insha’Allah. 🌱✨
Bismillah.
Wassallam, Coach Gemi.