Rabi'ul-Thani

No specific function or worship has been prescribed by the Shariah in this month.

However, some people take the 11th of this month as the anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (RA), the great Sufi and one of the most pious persons of our history. On this assumption, these people cook some special types of meals and distribute them among their acquaintants. Some of them believe that this practice pleases the soul of the Sheikh and he will help us in fulfilling our worldly needs or in reaching our spiritual goals.

This practice is totally baseless for a number of reasons:

Firstly, it is not historically proven with certainty that the Sheikh died on the 1 1th of this month. Some historians claim that he died on the 9th and some of them hold that he died on the 17th.
Secondly, even if it is proven that he had died on the 11th of this month, the observation of anniversaries is not recognised by the Shariah.
Thirdly, if the practice is based on the belief that the soul of the Sheikh will be pleased by it and will help us in our worldly affairs, it is totally an erroneous idea and may amount to shirk.
Fourthly, even if these acts are performed for the purpose of Isal-al-thawab only, there is no reason why a specific date is fixed for this purpose, and why the people not observing it are blamed and reproached.
Fifthly, the Isal-al-thawab can be conceived where an Ibaadah (act of worship) is done like Sadqah, but here in this practice normally the meal is distributed among the well-off relatives or friends and not among the poor. It means that there is no intention to perform an Ibaadah.
Sixthly, if some mundane benefits are sought by this practice, no reward is supposed to be achieved. How can it be an act of Isal-al-thawab?
In short, looked at it from any angle, this custom does not fit in the recognized principles of Shariah. Therefore, it should be abandoned in this case. It must be remembered, however, that what we have said does not mean that one cannot make an Isal-al-thawab to the Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA). In fact the Isal-al-thawab is a recognized practice in Shariah. It becomes more commendable if it is done in favour of a pious person like Moulana Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA). But it should not be restricted to a particular date or a particular act. A Muslim can make Isal-al-thawab to the Sheikh any day and through any act of worship, like Salaah, fasting, charity etc.

The meaning of the word Rabi'ul-Thani: The second month of spring.

Events of Rabi'ul-Thani :

Battle of Furu' from Buhraan took place in 3 A.H Sariyyah-Battle in which the Holy Prophet (SAW) did not take part in, instead he consigned one of his Companions as the colonel. The consigned Sariyyah Ali Ibn Abi Talib in the 9th Hijri. Sariyyah-Ibn Alqamah Mujaazziz Mudlejee.

Deaths in Rabi'ul-Thani:

Hadrat Khwaja Nizamuddin- 18th Rabi'ul-Thani: 725 Hijri. Hadrat

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilanee-11th Rabi'ul-Thani: 561 Hijri passed away at the age of 90.