The Night of Wishes, Laylat ar-Ragha'ib

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The night of the first Friday of the month of Rajab is known to the angels as Laylat ar-Ragha’ib, the Night of the Granting of Wishes.  It is during this night that is performed the swalah ar-ragha’ib, a sunnah al-muthlaq.  The Thursday night in question, here, is actually Friday by Muslim reckoning since we start the day from maghrib, or sunset. 

The angels call it thus because, by the time the first third of the night has elapsed, there will not be a single angel still at large in the heavens, nor in any region of the earth.  They will all be gathered together in the Ka’bah and the area immediately surrounding it.  Allah (s.w.t.) will Condescend to Notice that they have assembled there, and He will Say, “My angels, ask Me for whatever you wish!” 

Their response to this will be, “Our Lord, the request we wish to make is that You Grant Forgiveness to those who faithfully keep the fast in Rajab.” 

Whereupon, Allah (s.w.t.) will Tell them, “That, I have already Done!” 

Our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, “No one will go unrewarded if he fasts during the daytime on Thursday, the first Thursday in Rajab.” 

In the evening between maghrib and ‘isha’, perform twelve raka’at of prayer, two raka’at at a time.  In each rak’ah recite as follows: 

Surah al-Fatihah x 1

Surah al-Qadr x 3

Surah al-Ikhlasw x 12 

After the twelve raka’at are over, recite as follows, seventy times each. 

Firstly, this swalawat whilst sitting: “Allahumma swalli ‘ala Muhammad, an-Nabiyyi al-Ummiyyi, wa ‘ala ‘alayhi,” “Allah Send Salutations upon Muhammad, the Unlettered Prophet, and his family.” 

Secondly, tasbih in sajdah: “Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbuna wa Rabb al-Mala’ikati wa ar-Ruh,” “All-Glorious, Most Holy, Lord of the Angels and of the Spirit.” 

Thirdly, istighfar whilst sitting: “Rabbighfir, wa Arham, Atajawaz ‘Amma Ta'alamu.  Innaka Anta al-‘Aliyy al-A’azhim,” “My Lord, Forgive and have Mercy, Accept my pardon that which You well Know, for You are the Mighty, the Supreme.” 

And finally, tasbih in sajdah: “Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbuna wa Rabb al-Mala’ikati wa ar-Ruh.” “All-Glorious, Most Holy, Lord of the Angels and of the Spirit.” 

Thereafter, state ones needs, and they will be Granted, insha’Allah.