The innovation of singling out the month of Rajab for fasting
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The Shaykh : Some people fast the month of Rajab and say: "It is a forbidden month, so it has a special status, so they fast it." Fasting is beloved to Allah the Exalted, to the extent that Allah the Exalted said: Sunan Ibn Majah 3823 So they fast the month of Rajab. What do we say? What do we say to him? We say: Fasting is undoubtedly among the best of deeds, but your singling it out for the month of Rajab—we look at whether it is a religious innovation or not? Answer: If you say it is a religious innovation, we say you are wrong; and if you say it is not a religious innovation, you are wrong. What do we do? The criterion is: Is there in the Qur'an that the forbidden months are to be fasted in? Allah the Exalted said: [At-Tawbah 9:36] And He did not say: "So fast them." So there is no indication in the Qur'an regarding fasting in Rajab. As for the Sunnah, did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encourage fasting in Rajab? No, he encouraged fasting in Muharram. Correct, he said: Sahih Muslim 1163a And yet, the entire month is not fasted, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) did not fast a complete month except one, and that is Ramadan. So it is not prescribed for us to single out Rajab for any fasting. It is not valid. And we have evidence: So, my brother, let it go.