The Lunar Islamic calendar is of twelve months. It starts with the Hijrah (migration) of Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah (two cities in what is now known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). This was in the year of 622 A.D. Allah, Almighty God Has Chosen to honor four months over the rest and chose to call them sacred.
Here we will learn the following:
- How many sacred months in Islam?
- What are the four sacred months in Islam?
- What is the meaning of the Sacred months in Islam?
- Importance of four sacred months in Islam
- Why Muharram is a sacred month ?
- Special event happened in Muhharam
- Is Ramadan a sacred month in Islam?
- Why are the 4 Sacred Months in Islam Sacred?
How many sacred months in Islam?
There are four months in the Islamic calendar called the “sacred” month. They hold a special place in Allah’s act of creation and therefore, should hold a special place in our hearts as well.
Allah Says in the Quran:
“إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرٗا فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ ”
Quran[9:36]
“Indeed, the number of months according to Allah is twelve months in the record of Allah (since) the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are inviolable. That is the upright religion. So do not do injustice to yourselves during them.”
In this verse, one can see that the mention of ‘twelve months’ is coupled with the creation of the heavens and earth, which display Allah’s creation of the universe and with it, ordained the laws of time. The enormity of this statement is then linked to Humanity and the forbiddance of oppression, which signifies the sacredness of these months and religion. The verse is then ended with a call to piety, a virtuous trait that is sought in all circumstances.
What are the four sacred months in Islam?
The four sacred months are:
- Dhul-Qadah
- Dhul-Hijjah
- Muharram
- Rajab
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated in Islamic hadith those sacred months, saying:
ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ ”.
(Refrrence: Sahih al-Bukhari 3197)
The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa’da, Dhul-Hajj, and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi ath-Thaniyah and Sha’ban.”
What is the meaning of the Sacred months in Islam?
The name of the four sacred months in Islam are as follows:
- Dhu al-Qi’dah (meaning sitting in Arabic) has this name because it was the month during which Arabs would sit and stop fighting wars to give safe passage to pilgrims traveling to Makkah to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) in Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Dhu al-Hijjah (which refers to Hajj in Arabic) has this name because it was the month during which people performed the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Sacred House of Allah (Ka’abah) in Makkah.
- Muharram (meaning forbidden or sanctified in Arabic) was called that because Arabs used to forbid waging wars during it to give safe passage to pilgrims traveling back to their homelands from Makkah after performing Hajj.
- Rajab means the month of inundation (meaning remove in Arabic). It has this name because Arabs used to remove the heads of their spears and refrain from waging war during Rajab to guarantee safe passage to those traveling to perform Umrah (a minor pilgrimage).
Upon the wisdom of our Muslim scholars, they have theorized that the meaning to the names of the sacred months according to the above.
Arabs honored those months as they knew about Hajj and Umrah from the time of Ibrahim (Abraham) peace be upon him. They used to do good, be kind, give safety to travelers, and stop all combat everywhere.
Importance of four sacred months in Islam
there are many aspects highlighting the importance of the four sacred moths in Islam:
1. Special order for avoiding injustice in them:
Muslims are commanded by Allah to refrain from wronging themselves generally and especially during those months. Wronging oneself is by committing sins, refraining from obedience and wronging others.
Allah says in Qur’an:
“إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرٗا فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ ”
Quran[9:36]
“Indeed, the number of months according to Allah is twelve months in the record of Allah (since) the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are inviolable. That is the upright religion. So do not do injustice to yourselves during them.”
2. Season for extra obedience to Allah:
Islam added even further sanctity to the four sacred months by making them a “Season for Extra Obedience to Allah” by striving to please Allah, refraining from disobedience and doing more good deeds; compulsory and voluntary.
Muslim scholars have deduced many deeds that aim to please Allah to earn His rewards during those four sacred months. For example:
- Performing obligations in the best way and form; prayers ‘Salah’, fasting ‘Siyam’, of course performing pilgrimage ‘Hajj’ and Umrah, etc.
- Performing voluntary acts of worship and obedience; Tahjjud (night voluntary prayers), remembrance of Allah ‘Thikr’, charity ‘Sadakah’, fast voluntary days, helping settle people’s debts that cannot do themselves, aiding those in need, seeking and disseminating religious knowledge, speaking kind words and advising for the sake of Allah to others and exhibiting extra best of manners to the example of Muhammad peace and blessing of Allah be upon him.
- Cease fighting willingly unless aggressed upon; then Muslims are allowed to defend themselves and fight back; even during the sacred months.
Why Muharram is a sacred month ?
Muharram is a special month simply because Allah has chosen it to be so. He commands us not to ‘wrong ourselves’ during this sacred month, which essentially means to ensure we have pure intentions and righteous behavior and don’t fall into sin.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that he (the Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said:
أَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ الصَّلاَةُ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ وَأَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صِيَامُ شَهْرِ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمِ ”.
(Reference : Sahih Muslim 1163b)
“The most excellent voluntary Prayer is offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fasting after the (obligatory fasting) in the month of Ramadan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.”
Special event happened in Muhharam
On the tenth day of Muharram (10th of Muharram), The children of Israel were saved from the Pharaoh by the parting of the sea. Musa (AS) fasted on the Day of Ashura as a sign of gratitude. Upon hearing this, the Prophet (S) decided to fast and informed his companions to fast this day too which is called Asshura. Asshura falls on the 10th of Muharram, so it is recommended to fast this day as gratitude to Allah, the Most High. It is also recommended to fast on the 9th or 11th of Muharram as well.
Is Ramadan a sacred month in Islam?
Actually, Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam that Muslims all over the world waiting; however, it’s not one of the sacred month.
Still, Ramadan is a special month when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, in Ramadan Muslims perform obligatory fasting as the fourth pillar of Islam.
Also, many great things have happened in Ramadan. From the initial revelation of the Quran to this universe to the battle of Badr, the conquest of Makkah, and so much more. It is the best month for performing all acts of worship, especially striving in the cause of Allah ( performing Jihad), and so Ramadan is not from the sacred months because war is allowed during Ramadan.
Allah says in Quran stating the virtue of Ramadan:
“شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (185)”
Quran [2:185]
“(It was) the month of Ramadan in which the Recital was sent down as guidance for mankind, and as evident explanations of the guidance and the criterion. So whoever of you witnesses the month, then he shall fast it. But whoever is sick or on a journey, then (he must fast) a period of other days. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you, and that you should complete the period, and that you should glorify Allah for having guided you, and so that you may give thanks.”
The conclusion – Why are the 4 Sacred Months in Islam Sacred?
Allah (SW) Reminds the believers that He is with those who are pious. Allah s.w.t. will aid and support those who abide by His commandments and abstain from His prohibitions, whenever and wherever the person may be.
The Muslims should know, as a deterrent, that sins committed during the sacred months will be multiplied the same way rewards will also be multiplied, making the four months an even greater focus for the amount of piety he has.
It is out of His Favor and Mercy that Allah has guided us to those months. Those four sacred Months are not sacred in themselves. But only because Allah has made them a “Season for Extra Obedience” to seek His pleasure. Being a Muslim entails being submissive to Allah while yearning for His rewards and blessings. So do not wrong yourselves during those months especially, and always generally.
