This month has already started. The root word of its name is Sifr, which means zero. The reason for naming this month as “Safar”, lies in the thinking that the precious possessions of several families (living in the pre-Islamic Arabia) would reduce to almost zero, due to the resumption of raids, which used to stand banned in the three months of Hajj, that precede Safar. (1. Lisaan al-‘Arab by Ibn al-Mandhoor, part 4, p. 462-463.)
Some scholars say that “Safar” literally means empty. The reason for naming this month “empty” was the idea that with the start of this month, the inter-tribal wars (in the pre-Islamic Arabia) used to resume. For this purpose, many tribal men would go out for fighting. Their absence from homes would make the tribal areas look “empty”.
Anyway, mainly due to the frequent fights happening in Safar, Arabs started considering it as quite notorious. With the passage of time, several superstitions got tagged with this month. For example, many (in the pre-Islamic Arabia) used to believe that Safar was the month of diseases, bad luck and calamities etc. The noble Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, (although) retained the name of this month as Safar, he removed various wrong beliefs which were associated with it. In an authentic Hadees Shareef, he says:
“No disease comes on its own, bad omen is not caused by the bird owl… and Safar is not at all inauspicious”.
[3. Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, Hadees No. 5706.]
Many people, especially women, (in the pre-Islamic Arabia) used to remain worried rather scared during this month, believing that serious diseases or evil spirits could attack them anytime. Rasool Akram, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, has strongly denounced all such superstitions and guided Muslims to stop considering Safar as “the month of misfortune and calamities”. In an authentic Hadees Shareef, he says:
“Evil spirits do not have absolute powers and bad omen is not caused by Safar”.
[4. Saheeh Muslim, Hadees No. C-5794 & 5795.]
Safar is nothing but the name of a specific time, which passes between the first and third Islamic months. We all believe that time is from Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. How then we can believe that Safar is inauspicious. In an authentic Hadees Qudsee (5. Hadith Qudsi refers to a message from Allaah, in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him).), Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, says,
‘The son of Adam offends Me by cursing time while I am (the originator of) time, I alternate the night and the day, and if I will, I can seize them both.”.
[6. Saheeh Muslim, Hadees No. 5864.]
Encouraging Muslims to discard superstitions, Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala further says in the noble Qur’aan:
“No misfortune befalls you except by Allaah’s permission…”. (7. Soorah Tagaabun, ayat 11)
Due to the training and teachings of Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and His Rasool, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, all such superstitions disappeared from the minds of Muslims, during the Prophetic era. However, with the passage of time, few of them, unfortunately, crept back in our society. For example, some of us wrongly believe that:
1. Starting a new business / any important work in this month would be disastrous.
2. Charity, if given on the 13th of Safar would recover the loss of this month.
3. Walking barefoot on grass during its last Wednesday would be good for health.
4. The marriage, contracted in this month would not be successful.
Ironically, it was the month of Safar, where Rasoolullaah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, got his daughter married to Hazrat Ali r.a. We consider ourselves the followers of Rasoolullaah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, but still, avoid getting married during this month!!!. Anyway, it goes without saying that all such superstitions are baseless and they have nothing to do with the authentic Islamic teachings. As true Muslims, we must discard them and believe that all conditions which befall us (good or bad) are from Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, either as a result of our own actions or as a test from Him. If we repent to Him and remain patient with Zero grievance against Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, such tests also will be a means of our entry into Jannaat, In’Shaa Allaah.
Rasoolullaah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, used to say:
“Quite wonderful is the fate of a true believer! For, every situation he faces, turns out to be good for him. And this win-win option stands valid only for him. If he is blessed with prosperity, he sincerely thanks Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, which is good for him; and if an adversity befalls him, he faces it patiently, which will eventually be good for him.”
[9. Saheeh Muslim, Hadees No. 7500.]
Lastly, there are no specific deeds recommended in Islam for this month and there is no special merit or virtue attached to it. We should worship Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and do our best to follow the Sunnah of Rasoolullaah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, in this month also as we do throughout the year.
May Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, protect us from superstitions and innovations in Deen, may He increase our faith and keep us on the straight path, Aameen Yaa Ilaahal ‘Aalameen.