Rabi' al-Akhir

The Name and Nature of the Month

Rabi’ al-Akhir (رَبِيعُ الآخِر) means “the later (or second) spring” — a companion month to Rabi’ al-Awwal (the first spring). Together these two months mark the spring season in the Arabian calendar. In earlier times, spring was the season of greenery, pasture, and renewal after the winter rains — the two Rabi’ months carried these associations of growth and renewal.

The month has an alternative name: Rabi’ al-Thani (the second Rabi’). Both names are used in traditional Islamic texts. The Bohra calendar and the Dawat’s usage typically employs Rabi’ al-Akhir.

The character of Rabi’ al-Akhir is transitional: following the intensity of Rabi’ al-Awwal (the Prophet’s birthday, the na’at programs, the salawat gatherings), Rabi’ al-Akhir settles into the ongoing Sira — the community continues to live the lessons of Milad un-Nabi in its daily practices, without a specific commemorative focus until late in the month.

27 Rabi’ al-Akhir — Wiladat of Imam al-Muizz li-Din Allah (AS)

The most significant sacred date in Rabi’ al-Akhir for the Dawoodi Bohra community is 27 Rabi’ al-Akhir — the birthday of the 14th Fatimid Imam, al-Muizz li-Din Allah (AS), born 319 AH.

Who was Imam al-Muizz?

Imam al-Muizz li-Din Allah (AS) — whose name means “the one who gives glory to the religion of Allah” — was born in North Africa (in Ifriqiyya, present-day Tunisia) and became the Imam of the age in 341 AH at the age of 22. He reigned until 365 AH.

His imamat represents the zenith of Fatimid civilization:

The conquest of Egypt (358-361 AH): Imam al-Muizz directed the great general Jawhar al-Siqilli to lead the Fatimid armies into Egypt. On 6 Ramadan 358 AH (969 CE), Jawhar entered Fustat (old Cairo) and established the new city of al-Qahira — Cairo — as the Fatimid capital. This conquest extended Fatimid rule from the Atlantic coast to Syria.

The founding of al-Azhar: In the very year of the conquest (970 CE), Jawhar laid the foundations of Masjid al-Azhar — the mosque that would become the centre of Islamic scholarship for over a thousand years. The mosque was built as the Fatimid congregational mosque and named for Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra (AS). See also: Egypt Cairo Mosque Hakim

Imam al-Muizz in Egypt: Imam al-Muizz himself arrived in Egypt in 362 AH (973 CE), three years after the conquest, having ensured the stability of the new regime. He was received with great ceremony and established his court in Cairo. His first Friday in Egypt, he is reported to have said to the people: “Here are our ancestors” — pointing to the tombs — “and here is our sword” — holding up the Fatimid weapon — “and here are our arguments.” Then he produced the genealogical documents proving his Alid descent.

Scholarship and da’wa: Imam al-Muizz was renowned for his learning. He composed poetry, engaged personally in theological debates, and supervised the Dawat’s intellectual and missionary activities across the Islamic world. His Dai, the great Syedna al-Mu’ayyad fi’l-Din al-Shirazi, conducted legendary theological assemblies in Cairo. See also: Fatimid Caliphate

Bohra Observance of 27 Rabi’ al-Akhir

The Bohra community observes the wiladat of Imam al-Muizz with a waaz or majlis that covers:

The Imam’s life and character
The founding of Cairo and al-Azhar — the Dawat’s contribution to Islamic civilization
The Imam’s scholarly legacy and his Fatimid vision
The continuation of the Fatimid line through the Duat Mutlaqeen

The occasion is one of spiritual celebration (sur) — a wiladat, not a wafat — and the Bohra home and masjid are illuminated. Fatiha is offered with gratitude for the Imam’s life and legacy.

Rabi’ al-Akhir in Prophetic History

While Rabi’ al-Akhir lacks a single dramatic date comparable to Milad un-Nabi (Rabi’ al-Awwal) or Ashura (Muharram), it is connected to several events in Islamic history:

The Battle of Badr’s aftermath: Several events in the year of Badr (2 AH) fell in Rabi’ al-Akhir — the Prophet’s reorganization of Medina following the battle, the beginning of the consolidation of the early Muslim community.

The Prophet’s illness: Some traditions record that the Prophet’s final illness (which culminated in his passing in Rabi’ al-Awwal) began in the month of Safar — but in 2 AH, Rabi’ al-Akhir saw the Prophet fully active in establishing the rhythms of the new Islamic community.

Practices and Devotion in Rabi’ al-Akhir

The month of Rabi’ al-Akhir is a time for:

Continuing the spirit of Rabi’ al-Awwal: The Prophet’s birthday (12 Rabi’ al-Awwal) initiates a season of intensified salawat and Sira reflection. Rabi’ al-Akhir is when this spirit should deepen into daily life — when the inspiration of the Prophet’s character becomes habit rather than seasonal enthusiasm.

Salawat and na’at: The Bohra tradition of na’at (devotional poetry praising the Prophet) and regular salawat continues through Rabi’ al-Akhir, even as the formal program of Rabi’ al-Awwal concludes. See also: Naat Devotional Poetry

Wiladat observance (27 Rabi’ al-Akhir): The community waaz on Imam al-Muizz’s birthday provides the month’s culminating sacred occasion.

Ta’wil of Rabi’ al-Akhir

The zahir of Rabi’ al-Akhir is the second spring month — transitional, quieter than the months of intense commemoration, with its own sacred date in the Imam’s birthday.

The batin of Rabi’ al-Akhir is the soul’s work of integration. The great commemorative moments — Milad un-Nabi in Rabi’ al-Awwal, Ashara Mubaraka in Muharram — are seasons of inspiration. But inspiration without integration produces an oscillating spiritual life: high in the commemorative months, flat in between. Rabi’ al-Akhir is the month that asks: what have I actually internalized? Has the Sira I heard about the Prophet in Rabi’ al-Awwal changed my daily conduct? Has the walayah renewed in Ashara deepened into permanent love?

The word rabi’ (spring) suggests growth that happens quietly — beneath the soil, in the roots, before the visible blossom. Rabi’ al-Akhir is the soul’s underground spring, doing the work of growth that will eventually surface as visible character transformation.

Rabi' al-Akhir — The Fourth Month