Facts about the Safar Month

The Month of Safar in Islam

Facts about the Safar Month: There are 12 months in the lunar calendar of Islam. Each month starts with the new moon and has a different cycle. Safar is the second month of the calendar and one of the four sacred months as stated by Allah.

Safar Meaning

As per old scholars this month is named Safar because people used to raid other tribes at this time of the year. Many believe that it is a month of misfortune and calamities. A true Muslims should refrain from them and engage in favourable deeds. The term Safar in Arabic means Empty. It refers to the time when people would move and vacate their houses in search of work and food. This term also means whistling of the wind as it’s also the windiest time of the year. 

Safar Month in 2021

The calendar used by the followers of Islam is lunar, which means dates and months are calculated as per the phases of the moon. A new month begins when a new moon is seen. In the Gregorian year 2021, which is the 1443 Islamic (or Hijri year), the new year began on Tuesday, the 10th of August, 2021. The second month of this year, the month of Safar starts on the 8th of September 2021 and ends on the 6th of October 2021, with the onset of the new moon. 

Safar Month Importance 

Safar derives its significance from events that happened in this month. Some of the main Islamic events that took place during Safar month are listed below:

1. Prophet Mumhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, moved from Makkah from Medina 
2. The Prophet, peace be upon him, fell ill in this month 
3. Safar is also the month when the battle between Hazrat Imam Hussain and Yazid took place. It is one of the historic and tragic battles in the history of Islam, in which Hazrat Imam Hussain, peace and blessings be upon him, and his 72 companions were martyred by the Yazid army.
4. Daughter of the Prophet (PBUH), Fatima (R. A) Married Hazrat Ali (R. A) the cousin of the Holy Prophet.
5. Bibi Sakina (Sukayna Bint Hussain), the daughter of  Hussain Ibn Ali, peace and blessings be upon him was martyred during Safar. 
6. Chehlum of Imam Hussain (R. A), which is also known as Arbaeen of Hazrat Imam Hussain, is celebrated by the Shia community and Sunni Muslims arrange religious gatherings during this month.

The month of Bad Omens: Safar Misconceptions

It is commonly asked if the month of Safar is associated with bad omens. Muslims widely Trust that this month is full of misfortunes and one should not take up new initiatives or good work like inaugurating a new venture, wedding or planning a baby etc. Facts about The Month of Safar as it would bring bad luck. However as per the Almighty, as stated in the Quran, whatever happens—good or bad—is a result of our own actions.

Safar Month Hadith

“I heard the Messenger Allah saying, ”the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safat is untrue”.  — Narrated by Hazrat Jabir 

“The common people consider this month (Safar) to be the month of calamities and disasters. This is wrong belief. It has nothing to do with reality.”  — Narrated by Hadhrat Jabir (RA) 

“The descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue.”  — Narrated by  Shah Abdul Haque Muhaddis (Ashiatul Lam’aat, vol. 3, 664)

“There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of Safar.”  — Narrated by Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5707

“There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no Ghouls.”  — Narrated by Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2222

“It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said, “The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No ‘adwaa [transmission of infectious disease without the permission of Allah], no tiyarah [superstitious belief in bird omens], no haamah [refers to a Jaahili Arab tradition described variously as: a worm that infests the grave of a murder victim until he is avenged; an owl; or the bones of a dead person turned into a bird that could fly], and no Safar [the month of Safar was regarded as unlucky in the Jaahiliyyah]. But flee from the leper as you would flee from a lion.””  — Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5387) and Muslim (2220)

As clarified by many scholars, the month of Safar is a beautiful month like all other months of Allah. One must not associate it with any bad luck or bad omen. Some people considered it particularly auspicious for weddings. However, there is no truth to this belief and most Muslims do not believe or follow these myths anymore. It is recommended to spend this month, like any regular month and engage in prayers, good deeds, good behaviour, charity, kindness, and follow the path of righteousness.

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