Virtue of The Month of Safar

By the Name of Allah, praises be to Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Allah the Al-Mighty said in Chapter of At-Tawbah (The Repentance): “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) as ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth.” And among these twelve months is the month of Safar.

Safar is the second month, according to the Islamic calendar. It is not one of the sacred months. There are some misconceptions and superstitions spread about this month in the pre-Islamic era. However, Islam came to correct these misconceptions and refuted all these superstitions. So, the month of Safar bears both historical and cultural importance.

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Meaning of the word “Safar”
The word “Safar” linguistically means “empty” or “void.” It was said that the month of Safar was named because it may refer to the state of people during this month in the past. People in the pre-Islamic time used to leave their houses during Safar for trade or war, leaving their houses empty.

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Misconceptions and Superstitions
The month of Safar was associated with bad luck and calamities. People believed that evil spirits were more active during it. They also believed that it was an unlucky month for marriage, traveling, or business. They were pessimistic about it.

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How Islam refuted these superstitions

Islam does not believe in such superstitions. Muslims know that all days and months are from Allah. There is nothing called “luck” in Islam. Any bad event or calamity occurs under Allah’s Will and by human actions, not due to the time it occurred therein. So, people should put their trust in Allah and take action without paying any attention to such ill beliefs.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “(There is) no ‘Adwa (no contagious disease is conveyed without Allah’s permission), nor is there any bad omen (from birds), nor is there any Hamah, nor is there any bad omen in the month of Safar, and one should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

This Hadith shows that there is no bad omen; everything is fated and occurs under Allah’s Decree. Allah the Al-Mighty said in Chapter of An-Isa’ (The Women): “What comes to you of good is from Allah, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself.“

Therefore, instead of occupying your thoughts with bad omens in things or days, you should depend on Allah and only think of good omens, expecting the good, and for sure, the good will come to you.

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Significant Incidents in the Month of Safar

There are some incidents believed to have taken place in Safar. Among these incidents are:

* It was believed that the Prophet’s migration from Mecca to Medina was initiated in the month of Safar.

* The Battle of Khaibar took place in the month of Safar in the year 7 AH.

* The Prophet (peace be upon him) suffered death illness during the month of Safar until he passed in the following month of Rabi’ al-Awwal.

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Recommended Actions in the Month of Safar

Safar is like any other month; you have to engage in various acts of worshipping and keep away from committing sins. Not just every month, but even every moment in a man’s life, there is a chance that if he exploits well, it may lead him to Paradise. So do not let any time pass without exploiting it in good deeds, such as offering voluntary prayers, giving to charities, fasting, acquiring Islamic knowledge, enjoining what is good, forbidding what is evil, and so on.

In Safar it is a good opportunity to make ‘Umrah as during this time no many people go for ‘Umrah, so al-Masjid al-Haram would not be crowded during that month and you can easily touch the Ka’ba and perform all of the rituals. You will be able to enjoy the place and journey without fearing overcrowdedness. You can also fast on Mondays and Thursdays during this month. You will get a reward for any good deed at any time you perform it.

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Fighting Superstitions

As there are many superstitions about the month of Safar, it is your role as a Muslim to fight them by word, action, and even negligence. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated by Muslim)

So you can fight these superstitions by neglecting them, educating people that there are no bad omens in Islam, and continuing your usual acts such as business, travelling, marriage and so on without any fear or hesitation. Everything you expect will come, so expect what you wish to take place.

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Conclusion

In the end, it has become clear the magnificence of Islam that gives attention to every month and even to every day in life. Safar is a month that Allah created. It is like any other month, even if no special acts of worshipping or events are related to it. However, it may become your gain if you keep on righteous deeds during it, and its days may witness for you on the Day of Judgment.

In addition, it appears that most superstitions are based on nothing, and those who occupy their thoughts of them will lose much. All months are grants of Allah, and so we should receive this grant with gratitude and exploit it for good.

May Allah guide us to the truth and keep misconceptions and superstitions away from all Muslims!

Iftaa’ Department. https://www.aliftaa.jo/QuestionPrintEn.aspx?QuestionId=2677

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