The Most Sacred Months in Islam

In Islam we have our own calendar called Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. It is based on the lunar calendar and consisting of 12 months in a year with 354 or 355 days a year. Islamic holidays, ritual such as pilgrimate, fasting, qurban are determined by this calendar.

In Islam there are twelve months as mentioned before which are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-awwal, Rabi al-thani, Jumadi al-awwal, Jumada al-thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. Among those twelve months there are 4 of most sacred months in Islam. This matter already mentioned in the following verse of Quran:

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight againts the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous (who fear Him).

 

Indeed, the postponing (of restriction within sacred months) is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led (further) astray.

 

They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and (those) make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds, and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. (QS. At-Tawbah : 36-37)

 The sacred months of Islam are Rajab, Dhu al-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah and Muharram. As muslims we should respect the sanctity of these sacred months as we have to perform the commandments of Allah and increasing worship.

The word sacred also means that all kinds of fighting are forbidden (haram) during this months. Also read about Virtues of Shaban in Islam.

Rasulullah said in the farewell pilgrimage as follows:

“O People! Time has gone back to how it was at the time Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. A year has twelve months, four of which are sacred, three consecutive, Dhu al-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumada and Sha’ban.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

In this article we will discuss about these most sacred months in Islam.

1. Rajab

There is so many virtues of Rajab’s month. Rasulullah SAW reported that he have said,

“Rajab is the great month of Allah. No other month equals it in sanctity and merit. During this month fighting against the infidels is prohibited. Indeed Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month, and Ramadhan is the month of my ummah.

Surely, whoever fast a day of Rajab secures Allah’s greatest pleasure, distance himself from the wrath of Allah, and one of the gates of hell is shut closed for him.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah)

From the above hadith, Rajab is the month of Allah. It is sacred since blessed by Allah SWT. It is also the first sacred month in Islamic calendar. [AdSense-B]

If we perform worship to Allah we will be rewarded by pleasure, avoid from punishment, and avoid from the Hellfire.

It also mentioned in several naration that Rajab is the month of istighfar (seeking for forgiveness) to Allah. If we perform worship sincerely during this month may Allah will be lightened our sins and we will granted by forgiveness. Muslims are encouraged to perform additional worship during this month. Also read about Blessing Sunnah in Rajab month.

2. Dhu al-Qa’dah

It is another most sacred months in Islam, like the previous month muslims are forbidden to perform war, conflict, and sins. It is a month when people preparing to embarking Hajj (pilgrimate).

From Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) said :

“The first mercy descended from heaven towards Earth on 25th day of Dhul Qadah. One who fast on this day and perform prayers in the night shall be rewarded for hundred years of worship. And if a group of people gather at a place in remembrance of Allah the Almighty, their prayers will be answered before they disperse.

[AdSense-A]

On this day thousands and thousands of mercy descends (on earth) and 99% of mercy is bestowed upon those people (who keep themselves busy) in remembrance of Allah, fast on this day and performs prayers in  its night.”

It is said that this month is best for resolving troubles and hardships, Dhu al-Qadah is a month of accepting supplications.

3. Dhu al-Hijjah

There is so many importance of Dhu al-Hijjah month because muslims performed Hajj rituals during this month. It is also called the month of the pilgrimate in Islam.

In this month muslims also celebrated the festival of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) as one of the holy days in Islam. There are plenty of blessed days in Dhu al-Hijjah. 

The Messenger of Allah SAW said in the following hadith:

“There are no days in this world during which worship is more beloved to Allah, Glorious is He, than the (first) ten days (of Dhu al-Hijjah). Fasting one of these days is equivalent to fasting for one year, and one night of them is equal to Lailatul-Qadr.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah)

 

“There are no other days that are as great as these in the sight of Allah, the Most Sublime. Nor are there are any deeds more beloved to Allah then those that are done in these days. So increase in tahlil (to say la illaha illallah), takbir (to say allahu akbar) and tahmid (to say alhamdulillah). (Narrated by At-Tabarani)

After knowing the blessing of this mont muslims should not throw away this opportunities to perform good deed and worship. Islam recommend muslims to perform salawat, siyam, sadaqah, and Hajj in this sacred month. Since there is no other periods where all this deeds combine into a month.

4. Muharram

The virtue of Muharram in Islam is great where during this month our good deed’s rewards will be multiplied. It is also the month where Allah created heaven and earth.

There is so many blessing virtues in this month. From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said :

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Narrated by Muslim)

This hadith does not mean that we only encourage to perform fasting during Ramadan and Muharram but in fact muslims are encouraged to increase their fasting during this month.

There is a day that most significance in this month which is the 10th of Muharram or also called the day of Ashura.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates as follows:

“Allah’s messenger ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura) or not. (Narrated by Bukhari)

Along with that Ibn ‘Abbas said,

“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on they day of Ashura. He said, ‘What is this?’

 

They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa fasted this day.’ He said, ‘We have more right to Musa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.” (Narrated by Bukhari

In Islam all months in importance, both the sacred month are mentioned both in Quran and Hadith means there is something lies within.