First Thursday in Rajab called ‘Laylat al-Ragha’ib (Night of Desires).



This rite is a special prayer to be offered on this night. As is mentioned by Sayyid Ibn Tawus in his book of ‘Iqbal al-Amal’ andAllamah al-Majlisiy in ‘Ijazat Bani-Zuhrah,’ the reward of him who offers this prayer is that a great number of his sins are forgiven and that on the first night in the grave, Almighty Allah sends him the reward of this prayer in the form of a life form with happy mien and fluency to say to him, “Good tidings, You have escaped all hardships.” The offerer of this prayer will then ask him about his character, saying, “Who are you? Indeed, I have never seen such good looking face, and I have never heard such fluent words, and I have never smelled such nice scent.” He will be answered, “I am the reward of the prayer that you offered at so-and-so night in so-and-so month in so-and-so year at the town of so-and-so. I am here now so as to settle your right, to entertain you in your loneliness, and to save you from this cheerless situation. When the Trumpet shall be blown (declaring the Resurrection Day), I will cast a shadow over your head in the Resurrection Court. So, be happy, for you shall never be deprived of goodness.”



The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, that these prayers are Means of forgiveness and On the first night in our grave,, the Almighty will send the reward off this prayer in the best,, enlightened and eloquent form.. When inquired,, will reply,, ‘‘My Beloved,, glad tidings to you that you have found salvation from every hardship and horror..’’When asked,, ‘‘Who are you?’’ ‘‘By God I haven’t seen any one more beautiful than you,, I haven’t heard a word sweeter than yours,, or a fragrance better than you?’’ In reply,, ‘‘I am,, that prayer which you offered on the eve off the first Friday of the month of Rajab. I have come to you,, to be your companion in this loneliness,, to remove from you your fright and horror.. Be lest assured that my shelter will be with you until the blowing off the Horn off the Day off Judgment..’’



One should observe fast on the first Thursday in Rajab.



Between the Maghrib (sunset) and Isha' (evening) Prayers, one should offer a twelve Rakah prayer each couple of which is separated by Taslim (i.e. the concluding part of a prayer). In each Rak`ah, one should recite the Surah of al-Fatihah once, the Surah of al-Qadr three times, and the Surah of al-Taweed twelve times.

After accomplishing the prayer, one should recite the following invocation seventy times:



Recite 70 times:



First Line:



“Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa a’laa aaleh.”

O Allah send blessings on Muhammad, the Ummi Prophet, and on his descendants.



Second Line:

Then go into sajdah & recite 70 times:



“subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’”

Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirits.



Then sit erect & say 70 times:



Third Line:



“rabbighfir war-ham watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zam.”

O Lord! Forgive, have mercy and be indulgent about that which Thou knows well, verily Thou art Sublime, Mighty.



Fourth Line:



Then go into sajdah & recite 70 times:



“subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’”

Holy and most Holy is the Lord of the Angels and spirits.