Importance And Major Events Of Safar Islamic Month.

Praise be to Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. 

The month of Safar is one of the twelve Hijri months, and it is the month which comes after Muharram.  Some of the (scholars) said that it is so named because of the emptying (isfaar) of Makkah (i.e., its people would all leave) when they travelled during this month. It was also said that this month is named Safar because they used to raid other tribes at this time, and they would leave those whom they encountered bereft of their possessions (Safran min al-mataa’) – i.e., they would take all their belongings away and they would leave them with nothing.

Among the superstitions of the pre-Islamic days, the month of Safar was considered to be inauspicious and taken as an ill omen. It was believed that the month would bring calamities along with a lot of diseases and economies would be destroyed. The pagans didn’t start any important work or new project in this month.

Islam is a religion of truth & veracity. It’s the religion which illuminated the world with belief in Tawheed (Oneness of God, the Exalted) and Risalat (Prophethood). With the emergence of Islam, the superstitions and heresies of all kinds that prevailed at the time of pre-Islamic era, have been ended.

Unfortunately, many of the Muslims have imbibed these superstitions. On one hand, omens and bad lucks have been associated with the month and, on the other hand, self-made solutions for such things was proposed as well. Today too, some Muslims are still holding the incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar. Some of the erroneous believes are as follows:

A nikah performed in the month of Safar would not be successful.   Sayyadina Ali (Radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiditina Fatima (Radi Allahu anha) got married, in the latter days of Safar 2 A.H.

This month is full of calamities and misfortune.

To commence any important business, venture etc. during this month will be of great loss.

The first to the 13th of Safar is ill-fortune and evil.

A person who distributes food or money on the 13th day of Safar will be saved from its bad luck.

What Muslims should do:

Shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the month of Safar.

Note that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah’s commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily Salah etc. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Pray, O Allah! – Cause not any of us to be a wretched destitute” Then he asked: “Do you know who is a wretched destitute? ” Upon the request of the Sahabah he replied, “A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaat. ” (Hadith).

We all should understand that all conditions which befalls us, favorable or unfavorable, good or bad are from Allah, (as a result of our actions). “Whichever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin.” (Al-Quran: 42:30).

This can be confirmed by the following Hadith:

“I have heard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is not true.” – Jabir (Radi Allahu anhu) (Muslim)

There is nothing ominous in the month of Safar. Evil deeds & incorrect beliefs are ominous and should be given up & repented for. It’s incorrect to delay or postpone marriage or its proposal or a journey, etc. because of such beliefs. Rejecting the fake beliefs of the days of ignorance, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, ‘Belief in ill-omen is Shirk (polytheistic) (thrice he said) and the owl’s ominousness is nothing.’ The Mushriks of Arabia believed that a house near which an owl screeches will be ruined, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam refuted this belief as false. Then, he said, ‘There is nothing ominous about the Month of Safar’. (Bukhari)

The polytheists believed the Month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) rejected this superstition. It’s therefore wrong for all Muslims, who are the followers of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), to adopt the ways of the non-Muslims and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to change.

May Allah, the Exalted grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice all the beautiful teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Aameen

Events in Safar:

01 Safar: The prisoners of the battle of Karbala entered Yazid’s Palace in Syria.

13 Safar: Martyrdom of Sukayna Bint Hussain (RA) also known as Bibi Sakina, youngest daughter of Hussain Ibn Ali (RA).

20 or 21 Safar: Chehlum of Hussain Ibn Ali (RA) also known as Arbaeen (the 40th day after Ashura). [As per Shia Muslims].

27 Safar: Prophet Muhammad PBUH migrated from Makkah to Medina.

28 Safar: Prophet Muhammad PBUH fell ill.

28 Safar: Martyrdom of Hasan Ibn Ali (RA), Grandson of Prophet PBUH and elder son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA).

There is a host of corrupt beliefs regarding this month. True and sincere Muslims should refrain from them and engage in beneficial deeds. In reality, no time or individual is evil originally. All the customs and beliefs of Sa-far are baseless.

Many people have erroneous beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allah Ta’ala and His Most Beloved Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says in the Qur’an al-Kareem:
ما أصاب من مصيبة إلا بإذن الله
“No misfortune befalls except by Allah’s command...” [Surah Tagabun, Verse 11]

These erroneous beliefs have also been condemned in the context of the following Ahadith:
لا عدوى ولا طيرة ولا هامة ولاصفر
There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of Safar.[Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5707]

لا عدوى ولا صفر ولا غول
There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no Ghouls (evil spirits). [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2222]

The above Ahadith clearly refutes all incorrect beliefs and superstitions regarding the month of Safar. These incorrect beliefs flow from the pre-Islamic period of Jahiliyyah .

The Month of Safar during the Days of Ignorance

The Muhaddithin have recorded many of the superstitions harboured by the Arabs during the Days of Ignorance. A few are mentioned below:

1. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a snake which lives in the stomach of a human being and when hungry, bites the person. This is the discomfort one experiences when gripped by the pangs of hunger.

2. Some said Safar are worms which originate in the liver and ribs due to which the colour of the person becomes yellow, a condition we know today as jaundice.

3. According to some, the month of Safar flanked by Muharram and Rabi al Awwal is full of calamities and misfortune.

With the advent of Islam and the teachings of Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), all evil and incorrect beliefs common in pre-Islamic times were discarded.

The polytheists believed the Month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam rejected this superstition. It is therefore wrong for Muslims, who are the followers of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, to adopt the ways of the non-Muslims and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to change.

May Allah Ta’ala grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice upon all the beautiful teachings of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, Aameen.

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