Is engaging in worship on the 27th of Rajab established?
Question: Apart from the night in which the actual Ascension happened, spending every 27th night of Rajab in worship is not established. How can spending every 27th night of Rajab in worship be considered correct?
1st Answer: That the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) DID NOT spend every 27th night of Rajab in worship is not mentioned in any Hadith. On the other hand, it is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would offer 8 Raka’at of Salaat every night, in Ramadhan and out of it. This generalization shows that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) engaged in worship every 27th night of Rajab.
2nd Answer: Allah Most High has ordered His Beloved to worship and pray in the night and to offer Salaat Ul Tahajjud:
O mantled (Beloved!), Rise and stand (in Prayer) at night but (for) a short while, Half the night or decrease it a little, Or increase a little more to it. And recite the Qur’an with most pleasant pauses. Surah Muzzammil (73:1-4
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This verse of the Holy Quran and the Hadith show that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered Salaat Ul Tahajjud every night and would stand for long time in Salaat and would perform long prostrations. Worship for the entire year shows that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would spend the 27th night of Rajab also in worship. If someone says insists that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) didn’t do so, then let them bring their proofs of this.
Question: Is it established that the Companions gathered in mosques in the 27th night of Rajab and engaged in worship and remembrance of Almighty Allah?
Answer: There is no proof that the Companions didn’t engage in worship in this night. The Hadith-Experts have NOT recorded and mentioned any Hadith that in the 27th night of Rajab, the Companions would rest in their houses and wouldn’t pray at all. In the previous pages, we have gone through the details regarding the night worship of the Companions. These show us that it wasn’t the custom of the Companions to spend the whole night in bed like heedless folk. When this was their custom in other nights, then how could they spend sacred nights in bed? The details regarding the night worship of the Companions in other nights is mentioned in the first chapter.
Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center 