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Safar is the second month in the Islamic calendar and is regarded as one of the four sanctified months. Over time, many have tainted the sanctity of the month by referring to it as an unlucky month. In fact, many go as far as believing that any celebratory occasions (including weddings) should not be held in this month. With no basis in Islam, this was a view that originated in the pre-Islamic era.
Safar is the second month according to the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar. Whilst there are no religious significance or prescriptions, Safar has an interesting history. Safar means to empty, which was translated thus, as it was in this month Makkans would leave Makkah to travel and leave their homes empty.
This year, the month of Safar began on the 29th of August 2022. Coming straight after the month of Muharram, it is the second month in the Islamic calendar.
According to many Muslim scholars, Safar was the month in which the Prophet Muhammad PBUH migrated to Madinah from Makkah. After a strenuous two months, he reached Madinah in the month of Rabi al-Awwal. During his exit, members of Quraysh intended to assassinate the Prophet PBUH to prevent the carefully planned migration. However, after thorough planning, the Prophet PBUH requested the courageous Ali RA to lie in his bed in place of him, which confused the Quraysh when they eventually came to assassinate the Prophet PBUH.
It was also in this month that the Prophet PBUH married his first wife, Khadijah RA. What’s more, many years later, the daughter of the Prophet PBUH, Fatima RA also married Ali RA in the same month.
The major events that unfolded in this month are indicative of the fact that the month of Safar was just like any other month. It was a month in which the Prophet PBUH behaved the same as in any other month.
In a hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet PBUH mentions, “(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.”
Muslim scholars interpret this to mean that the month of Safar – or any of the things mentioned in the hadith above – are not intrinsically harmful and that Allah is the one who is ultimately in control.
Muslims around the world travel to Makkah in Safar to take advantage of the smaller crowds. As many have returned home after the month of Hajj, many choose Muharram and Safar for Umrah, as costs are usually lower and the place experiences less congestion. This way, pilgrims have the chance to take it slow as they devote themselves entirely to Allah.
Main Image Credit: GR Stocks (Unsplash)
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