Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
The month of Safar comes after Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
Literal meaning of Safar is Empty.
The Arabs were warring nations. Small disputes would easily turn into wars that will last for years and years and sometimes were inherited by generations to come. They usually did not fight during the four sacred months even in the days of Jahiliyya (Pre Islamic Ignorance).
The sacred or war free months were Muharram (1st month of the Islamic Calendar), Rajab (7th month of the Islamic Calendar), Dhul Qa'dah (11th month of the Islamic Calendar) and Dhul Hijjah (12th month of the Islamic Calendar).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحِلُّوا شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ... |
O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month,...
Surah (Chapter) al-Ma"idah (Table Spread with Food) 5:2 |
Right in the beginning of the month of Safar, houses used to become empty because the ban on fighting and traveling during three consecutive months - Dhul Hijjah, Dhul Qa’dah and Muharram came to an end, and everyone proceeded to settle scores with their rivals. Most houses in most villages were emptied.
In this month people of Makkah also traveled after the customary ban during the sacred months of Muharram, and the two sacred months preceding it was over; emptying their villages or habitations. These travels were either related to trading or battles, both of which were banned during the sacred months.
Going out to fight their enemies and leaving them empty handed after taking away their possessions, may have been another reason for the name Safar (Sifran min al-mata’) – i.e., they would leave their enemies’ coiffeurs empty and take all their belongings away. (Lisan al-‘Arab)
Many Muslims, with improper knowledge of Islam, have superstitions about this month being a month of misfortunes. The Holy Qur-an has provided clear guidelines about such superstitions:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ |
"No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything."
Surah (Chapter) At-Taghabun (Mutual Loss and Gain) 64:11 |
Islam does not have any room for superstitious beliefs. Muslims should not believe in any inauspicious days, weeks, months or years, there are no people, houses or things that bring bad luck.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم also condemned these in the following Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), especially related to the month of Safar.
- There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of
Safar. (Muslim, Bukhari)
- There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no evil spirits. (Muslim)
The above mentioned Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) clearly refutes all incorrect beliefs and superstitions regarding the month of Safar, which were dominant in the days of Jahiliyya (Pre Islamic Ignorance).
During the Jahiliyya (Pre Islamic Ignorance), the Arabs had a number of superstitions for the month of Safar. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, demolished all incorrect and superstitious beliefs of pre-Islamic times, bringing Islam.
Though Islam is free from all superstitions, some Muslims still hold many incorrect beliefs about the month of Safar.
- A Nikah (Marriage) performed in the month of Safar would not be successful. They should know that ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه married Fatimah رضى الله عنها, the youngest daughter of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, in the month of Safar of the year 2H (Hijrah).
- Many Muslims still believe that the month of Safar is full of misfortune and calamities. They should remember that all months and days are made by Allah (God) and are the same.
- Any important venture or business etc. started during this month will bring bad luck.
- First thirteen days of the month of Safar are inauspicious and evil.
- Anyone who distributes food or money on the 13th of Safar wiII be saved from its ill-fortune.
- To celebrate the last Wednesday of Safar and regard it as a holiday.
Muslims must shun all superstitious beliefs regarding the month of Safar. They must understand that misfortune will only overtake those who disobey Allah (God) and His last Messenger, Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم.
Any Muslim who does not live by the Commands of Allah, who does not offer the five daily
Salah (Prayers), does not care for observing Sawm (Fasting), does not pay Zakah (Poor Due Charity), refuses to go for Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah), and does not live life according to the Islamic values as taught by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, will definitely is the most unfortunate person in the whole world.
We must continuously keep reminding ourselves that anything good or bad, favorable, or unfavorable comes only from Allah (God).
Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated that, "I have heard Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue." (Muslim)
