THE HOLY MONTH OF RAJAB

Bismillah Rahmanr Rahiim
THE HOLY MONTH OF RAJAB
The month of Rajab is amongst the most blessed months of the Islamic year. It is a month of Salah, Sawm, Supplication and Salutation. The following are excerpts from various duas to be recited during the month of Rajab.
O the One Who has command over the fulfillment of the desires of those who beg.
He knows what is in the hearts of those who remain quiet.
Every question is heard by you, and for it, an answer is provided.
O Allah, Your promises are so true, your blessings so abundant, and your Mercy so encompassing.
Bless us in this venerated and honored month, and the sacred months that follow it.
In this month bestow blessings upon us, make large our portions, and fulfill for us (our) oaths.
And forgive us of that which you know and we know not,
Preserve us from sins with the best of preservations,
Favor us with your fair regard, leave us not to other than You,
Cause us to act with the fairest of faith, and bring us to the month of fasting and the days and years that come after it,
O Lord of Majesty and Splendor!
Source: http://www.duas.org/rajab.htm
FIQH
Tartib (Sequence)
If a person intentionally changes the sequence of the prayers, for example, if he recites the other surah before reciting Sura al-Hamd, or performs the two Sajda before Ruku, his prayers are void. [1117]
If a person forgets a rukn (elemental part) of the prayers, and performs the next rukn, like, before performing Ruku if he performs the two Sajda, his prayers would become void, as a measure of precaution. [1118]
If a person forgets a thing which is not a rukn, and performs a rukn which comes after it, like, if he forgets Sura al-Hamd and begins performing Ruku, his prayers is in order. [1120]
If a person forgets an act which is not a rukn, and performs the next act which is also not a rukn, like, if he forgets Sura al-Hamd and recites the other Sura, he should perform what he has forgotten, and then recite again the thing which he mistakenly recited earlier. [1121]
If a person performs the 1st Sajda thinking that it is the 2nd one, or performs the 2nd one under the impression that it is the 1st Sajda, his prayer is in order; his first Sajda will be treated as the first one, and his second Sajda will be treated as the second one. [1122]
Source: Islamic Laws by Ayatullah Seestani
THE INTRODUCTION OF ISLAMIC COINS
During the First Century Hijrah, the paper industry was controlled by the Romans. The Egyptians learned how to make paper from the Romans and they produced it exactly as the Romans did by marking the currency notes with symbols of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Abdul Malik Marwan noticed these symbols and was enraged, that Egypt, being a Muslim country used these markings. He at once wrote to his delegates in Egypt instructing them to use the slogan of monotheism in all their correspondence. Papers with the monotheism mark upon it were circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar, the King of Rome, wrote letters to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with abusive language about the Prophet of Islam (S).
This worried Abdul Malik and he immediately called a meeting and consulted with his advisors, but to no result. One of those present suggested that they seek the assistance of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A). Abdul Malik agreed ordered that the Imam be brought honorably and respectfully from Madina to Syria.
When Imam reached Syria they reported the matter to him. Imam said, “Caesar has frightened you, but he will actually not do it. The solution to this is that you place orders to produce a coin with the chapter of Tawhid on one face and name of the Prophet (S) on the other. In this way we will not need the Roman coins any longer.” Then he gave the explanation about the weight and size of the coin. Then he said, “Engrave the name of the city where the coin is made and the year of its production upon it.”
Abdul Malik followed the orders of the Imam and sent notices to all the Islamic cities to inform them that all business affairs should take place with the new coins, and that the Roman coins were invalid. Whosoever possessed them could exchange them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed a delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back. Caesar was informed about the coins. His courtiers demanded that he act as per his threat. But he replied, “That is now a futile thing to do because, the roman coins are not used in the Islamic cities anymore."
Imam al-Baqir (A) thus put a constraint upon the influence of imperialism and the destructive plans of the imperialists of that time.
Kindness and Compassion
It was a bitter, cold evening. The old man waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.
He watched as several horsemen approached and left without acknowledging his presence. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue.
As this one drew near, the old man said, “Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot.” Reining his horse, the rider replied, “Sure. Hop aboard.”
Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man all the way to his home, which was just a few miles away.
As they neared the tiny cottage, the horseman inquired, “I noticed that you let several other riders pass by, then when I came, you immediately asked for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night; you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and left you there?”
The old man lowered himself from the horse, looked the rider straight in the eyes, and replied, “I've been around here for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good.”
He continued, “I looked into the eyes of the other riders and saw there was no concern for my situation. But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need.”
“I'm most grateful for what you have said,” the horseman said. “May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.”