Safar

Safar is the second month in the Islamic calendar. Safar begins after the 1st Islamic month, Muharram, ends. The 1st of Safar is different every year as it depends on the sighting of the moon. Thus, the month of Safar can be either 29 or 30 days long, depending on the moon sighting. Interestingly, since there is no fixed day on which Safar begins, the 1st of Safar can be different in different regions of the world.

The word 'Safar' means "travel." This month was present even before the advent of Islam and the month's inclusion in the Hijri calendar. In this month, the people of Arabia left their homes for trade to gather provisions for the coming months of winter. Thus, the homes were left "empty," a concept that gave negative connotations to the month of Safar. It is also a reference to the historical time period when Muslims migrated from Makkah to Madina in order to protect themselves and their families from the persecution of the Quraish.Many events of historical Islamic significance took place in the month of Safar. These events are mostly related to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), although certain ghazwat also occurred in Safar. The battle of Abwaa and Khyber occurred during this Islamic month. 

The Significance of Safar

The second month in the Islamic Hijri Calendar, Safar, is also one of the 4 sacred months of Islam. In pre-Islamic Arabia, people of the Jahiliyyah era believed that the month of Safar was unpromising and disadvantageous for them. They spread the idea that Safar was an unlucky month that brought problems and difficult times, such as wars, famines, and general bad luck in every matter of life. In this month, the Arabs left their home to engage and trade and craft that would earn them provisions to last the bitter months of winter after Safar. There were also other false narratives being spread that there are two Safars or that the month of Safar could be postponed. Some people tried to postpone the month of Safar. However, this is strictly forbidden in Islam, as mentioned in the following Ayah:

"Indeed, the postponing (of a sacred month) is an addition to disbelief; thereby, those who disbelieve are led astray. They make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months which Allah has forbidden and make such forbidden ones lawful". (Ayah at-Taubah, 9:37).

However, it's important to note that individuals cannot simply associate an Islamic month with negative connotations as God is All-Knowing, and Safar is considered to be a historically significant month. The following Hadith of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) portrays this important concept and warns believers about this:

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

Important Islamic Dates in Safar

The month of Safar is significant because it was during this month that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated from Makkah to Madina. This is an important moment in Islamic history. Other important events that took place in Safar are:

• 1 Safar: Battle of Siffin – The battle between the fourth Rashidun caliph, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Ali Ibn Abu Talib and the rebellious governor of Syria Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan.
• 6th Safar: The Martyrdom of Sukayna bint Husayn – The daughter of Imam Hussain (A.S.) passed away on this date due to the harsh and oppressive conditions that she had to endure during and after the Battle of Karbala.
• 20th Safar: Arbaeen (Chelum) – This day is a significant day of mourning in Shia Islam as it is the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.). Known as a day of mourning, reflection, sorrow, and grief, Muslims around the world mourn this day together for the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and his family and companions that were martyred in the Battle of Karbala. The importance of remembering the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (A.S.) are depicted in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), where he stated: Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain. Allah loves those who love Hussain." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 1, Hadith 144)."
• 27th Safar: Migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina - The Hijra started on the 27th of Safar. Allah gave Muslims the orders to travel from Makkah to Medina to avoid the persecution of Muslims by the Quraysh. Some scholars say that it happened in Rabi'al-Awwal, but most agree that it commenced in Safar and concluded in Rabi'al-Awwal. This Hijrah is known to be a well-documented event in Islamic history, and many hadiths support its significance. Sahih Bukhari mentions migration in detail in several places: "Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58).
• The Martyrdom of Imam Hasan ibn Ali - The Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) grandson, Imam Hasan ibn Ali's death is commemorated on the 28th of Safar. Throughout Islamic history, especially for Shia Muslims, his martyrdom is a very important event. The virtue and importance of the family of the Prophet have been mentioned in many hadiths. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad said: "Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 1, Hadith 118).

Other events, like the death of the great Muslim war general Salahuddin al-Ayyubi and the Sufi saint Ali Hajveri, took place in Safar.

Prayers, Ibadah and Dhikr in Safar

While the month of Safar is religiously significant for all Muslims, there are no specific fasting or special acts of worship that are obligatory for this month. However, there are certain practices that Muslims can perform. Muslims must regularly perform their daily prayers and focus on good deeds such as giving charity, reciting the Quran, and engaging in supplication throughout the month. They must also seek forgiveness, repent, and renew their commitment to Allah. Believers can also fast during the month of Safar, and they are encouraged to fast on Mondays and Thursdays or on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the Islamic lunar calendar, as these are recommended Sunnah fasts.

Safar – The Second Month of the Islamic Calendar

The Islamic month of Safar is thus regarded as an important and blessed month. Muslims must engage in good deeds and keep track of the important dates in this month. If you want to know more about this month and be updated, you should download the Muslim and Quran app. Get reminders about the upcoming Islamic dates on the go.