Dear Beautiful Souls,

Salamun Alaykum,

May Allah (SWT) bless you with barakah in all your beautiful deeds.

Soar Like the Eagle, Glide Like the Duck: A Rajab Reflection

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ فِي جَوِّ السَّمَاءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللَّهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

“Do they not see the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up except Allah. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who believe.” (Holy Qur’an 16:79)

Rajab Al-Asab is a sacred month of pouring mercy, a gift from Allah (SWT), calling us to rise above struggles, purify our hearts, and prepare for the blessings of Sha’ban and Ramadan. The eagle and the duck beautifully symbolize this journey. They inspire us to aim high, persevere quietly, and embrace each fleeting moment with intention and purpose.

The Eagle: Soar with Courage and Purpose

The eagle soars boldly, turning challenges into opportunities. Rajab, too, invites us to rise above worldly distractions, aim for lofty spiritual goals, and embrace Allah’s mercy. The eagle’s vision reminds us to focus on what truly matters: the Hereafter.

Rajab’s Daily Dua of Hope:

يَا مَنْ أَرْجُوهُ لِكُلِّ خَيْرٍ وَآمَنُ سَخَطَهُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ شَرٍّ، يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي الْكَثِيرَ بِالْقَلِيلِ، يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي مَنْ سَأَلَهُ، يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ، تَحَنُّنًا مِنْهُ وَرَحْمَةً، أَعْطِنِي بِمَسْأَلَتِي إِيَّاكَ، جَمِيعَ خَيْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَجَمِيعَ خَيْرِ الْآخِرَةِ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي بِمَسْأَلَتِي إِيَّاكَ، جَمِيعَ شَرِّ الدُّنْيَا وَشَرِّ الْآخِرَةِ، فَإِنَّهُ غَيْرُ مَنْقُوصٍ مَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَزِدْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ يَا كَرِيمُ.

“O the One from whom I hope for all goodness and from whose displeasure I feel secure in all evil, O the One who gives a lot in exchange for little, O the One who gives to those who ask Him, O the One who gives to those who do not ask Him and who do not even know Him, out of His affection and mercy. Give me, for I ask You, the entirety of good for this world and the next, and turn away from me, for I ask You, all evil for this world and the next. Indeed, You do not diminish what You give. Grant me from Your bounty, O Generous One.”

This beautiful supplication reflects the eagle’s aspiration to soar high, seeking Allah’s blessings for both this world and the Hereafter.

Mantras to Soar with Purpose:

  1. Morning Start: Whisper, “Ya man arjuhu likulli khayr” (O the One from whom I hope for all goodness) as you begin your day.
  2. Daily Reflection: End your day asking: “Did I rise above distractions today? Am I soaring toward Allah’s mercy like the eagle?”
  3. Quiet Forgiveness: Recite “Astaghfirullah rabbi wa atubu ilayh” (I seek forgiveness from my Lord and turn to Him) 70 times during moments of stillness, turning your heart back to Allah.

The Duck: Quiet Persistence and Purpose

The duck teaches us persistence and purpose in every action. Though calm on the surface, it paddles tirelessly beneath the water. Even its quacking is deliberate, signaling warning or unity. Rajab teaches us to align our efforts with Allah’s purpose, turning even mundane routines into acts of worship.

Rajab Dhikr for Inner Peace:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

(La ilaha illa Allah – There is no God but Allah) 100 times daily.

Mantras to Persist Like the Duck:

  1. While cooking or cleaning, say: “SubhanAllah walhamdulillah wa la ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu Akbar.”
  2. When frustrated, remind yourself: “Ya man yu’ti man lam yas’alhu wa man lam ya’rifhu” (O the One who gives even to those who do not ask or know Him).
  3. Reflect on the duck’s calm exterior. Ask yourself: “Am I balancing my outward actions with inner sincerity? Is my effort purposeful?”

Embrace the Moment: Time Is Fleeting

Dear souls, Rajab is a fleeting gift. Like the gentle winds that carry the eagle and the flowing waters that guide the duck, this sacred month will soon depart. Be present in every act, from your duas to your daily chores. Use this time to plant seeds of forgiveness and faith that will blossom in Ramadan.

“Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran 16:11)

15th of Rajab: A’maal of Umm-e-Dawood

The eagle’s focus and the duck’s persistence culminate in the 15th of Rajab. The A’maal of Umm-e-Dawood is a transformative act of worship, taught by the Ahlulbayt (AS), to seek forgiveness, resolve hardships, and elevate our souls.

Steps for A’maal:

  1. Fast on this day to align body and soul.
  2. Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Naas, and Ayatul Kursi.
  3. Engage deeply in supplications, pouring your heart out to Allah, asking Him to lift you like the eagle above life’s storms and guide you like the duck through life’s currents.

Rajab: Rise and Glide Toward Allah

Dear beautiful souls, this Rajab, let us soar like the eagle, with lofty aspirations and clarity of purpose. Let us glide like the duck, quietly persisting and aligning every action with Allah’s pleasure. Use the daily duas and dhikrs taught by the Ahlulbayt (AS) to transform every moment into an act of devotion.

Mantras to Reflect:

“Am I soaring toward Allah with focus and trust like the eagle?”
“Am I paddling with quiet effort and purpose like the duck?”
“Ya Allah, help me shed my sins and plant seeds of faith that will flourish in Ramadan.”

A Poetic Reminder:

Rajab flows like a gentle stream, fleeting and serene.
Its moments are precious; be present, be keen.
Like the eagle, rise above with courage and trust,
Like the duck, paddle quietly, do what you must.
Time is a guest that will soon depart,
So seek Allah now with an open heart.

May Allah purify our hearts, elevate our souls, and prepare us for the blessings of Sha’ban and Ramadan, Insha’Allah.

With love and prayers for light,
Our duas are with the oppressed,
May Allah hasten the Faraj of Imam Mahdi (AS).

Sis Nasim Walji Pirmohamed

Please feel free to share with other like-minded souls.


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