Regaip Kandil: Its Significance, Prayers, and 4 Essential Acts of Worship

Regaip Kandili is the name given to the night that bridges the first Thursday of the month of Rajab—the first of the three blessed months in the Hijri calendar—to Friday night. The word “Regaip,” which in the dictionary means “much desired, sought after, and abundant grace,” signifies the special interest angels take in Allah’s mercy on this night and the good news of forgiveness bestowed upon believers. In this article, we discuss the meaning of Regaip Night, its religious evidence, its ruling, and the acts of worship that can be performed on that night, based on reliable sources.

What Is Regaip Kandili?

Regaip Night falls on the first Friday night of the month of Rajab and is considered the first night of the “three holy months”—Rajab, Sha’ban, and Ramadan—in Islamic tradition. The reason this night is called Regaip is the intense interest the angels show in it and the abundant blessings that Allah the Almighty bestows upon His servants in honor of this night. Regaip is also described as a time when believers turn most earnestly toward their Lord and “seek” His mercy.

What Are the Religious Bases for Regaip Kandil?

There are various traditions attributed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions regarding the virtues of Regaip Kandil.

The Gathering of the Angels at the Kaaba and the Prayer for Forgiveness

According to a tradition narrated from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), on the night of the first Friday of the month of Rajab, after the Isha prayer, all the angels in the heavens and on earth gather around the Kaaba. When Allah the Almighty says to them, “Ask for whatever you wish,” the angels reply, “O our Lord, our request is that You forgive those who fast during the month of Rajab”; and Allah the Almighty then gives them the glad tidings that He has forgiven them.

The Hadith “Those Whose Hearts Do Not Die”

In another hadith regarding the first night of the month of Rajab, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ أَحْيَا لَيْلَةً مِنْ رَجَبٍ لَمْ يَمُتْ قَلْبُهُ يَوْمَ تَمُوتُ الْقُلُوبُ

Pronunciation: “Whoever revives a night in the month of Rajab—his heart will not die on the Day when hearts die.”

Translation: “Whoever spends the first night of the month of Rajab in worship and remembrance of God, his heart will not die on the Day when all hearts die (the Day of Judgment).”

Furthermore, in a hadith narrated by Sevbân (may Allah be pleased with him), it is reported that Allah the Almighty will record the reward of a year’s worth of worship for anyone who fasts one day and spends one night in worship during the month of Rajab.

What Is the Significance of Regaip Kandil, and Who Is It Applicable To?

According to the general consensus of Islamic scholars, it is recommended (mustahab) to spend the night of Regaip in worship and the day in fasting; that is, it is not an obligatory (fard or wajib) duty, but rather a voluntary act of worship that is encouraged. Every Muslim who is of sound mind and has reached puberty can benefit from the spiritual blessings of this night. It is regarded as an important opportunity, especially for those who wish to purify themselves of sins and make a fresh spiritual start.

What Acts of Worship Are Performed on Regaip Night?

The sources do not prescribe a single, fixed form of worship for the Night of Regaib; instead, they highlight four basic acts of worship that can be performed throughout the night:

1. Fasting: It is recommended to fast on the first Thursday of Rajab in order to be granted the angels’ intercession for forgiveness.
2. Nighttime worship (prayer and remembrance of God): Spending the night in making up missed prayers, performing supererogatory prayers, reciting the Quran, and seeking forgiveness is described as an act that keeps the heart alive.
3. Reciting the Salavat-ı Şerife: It is said that frequently reciting the Salavat-ı Şerife for our Prophet (peace be upon him) leads to the acceptance of prayers and the love of the angels.
4. Repenting on the Night of Nasuh: It is considered important to view this night as an opportunity to repent for one’s sins, with the intention of never returning to them.

Is There a Special Prayer Called the Regaip Prayer?

Sources indicate that a special 12-rak’ah prayer sequence, specific to the first Friday night of the month of Rajab, emerged approximately four centuries after the Hijrah and was therefore deemed an innovation (bid’ah). Scholars have stated that it is more appropriate to refrain from a form of worship whose status as a Sunnah has not been definitively established, out of concern that it may constitute a bid’ah. Instead, it is recommended to perform missed prayers, recite the Qur’an, and engage in general supererogatory acts of worship on that night.

What Are the Virtues of the Month of Rajab?

The month of Rajab, during which the Night of Regaib is observed, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Quran. The verse regarding the importance of these months reads as follows:

“Undoubtedly, the number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve, as recorded in Allah’s decree on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of these are sacred months.” (At-Tawbah, 9:36)

According to sources, good deeds performed during the sacred months yield far greater rewards than those performed in other months: it is reported that every good deed is rewarded at least tenfold, while charity and worship performed in the way of Allah are rewarded up to seven hundredfold. In these sources, these three months are referred to with the phrase, “Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my ummah.” For this reason, the month of Rajab and the Night of Regaib are considered important milestones for believers to prepare spiritually for Ramadan.

What Is the Significance of Regaip Kandil?

Regaip Kandil is a time of spiritual purification when the burden of sin is lifted from the believer and mercy is bestowed in abundance. It also serves as a stepping stone, preparing believers for the spirit of Ramadan as the first night of the three holy months. Sources note that numerous accounts are transmitted indicating that even the gravest sins are forgiven out of respect for this month and this night; this makes the night of Regaip a time when the hope for forgiveness is particularly strong.

Sources

• Dürretü’n-Nâsihîn — The Chapter on Ramadan, Religious Festivals, and Fundamental Acts of Worship
• Dürretü’n-Nâsihîn — The Chapter on Ethics, Stories, and the Hereafter
• The Holy Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 36