The Month of Safar and the Age of Ignorance
It is a luminous truth that with the advent of Islam, mankind—entangled in corrupted beliefs—was granted a pure and pristine creed. Islam refuted the notion that beings other than Allah possess control over harm, benefit, good, or evil. To a humanity mired in disbelief, polytheism, and superstition, it offered exemplary teachings and firmly implanted the greatness of the doctrine of Tawheed (monotheism) into hearts and minds. It severed all ties with innovations, absurdities, and superstitions, and reconnected mankind to the exalted essence of Allah, the Lord of Glory.
Before the arrival of Islam, people were steeped in various kinds of deviant beliefs and a wide array of superstitions. They would take omens, seek fortunes through birds, attribute harm and benefit to stones and other objects, make judgments of good or bad based on the stars, and harbor suspicions due to animals. Countless such corruptions were rampant in the Arab society of the Age of Ignorance. Among these was the superstition associated with the month of Safar.
They used to alter the order of this month, declaring publicly that this year the month of Safar would come first, and Muharram would follow it. In refuting this act and declaring it an act of disbelief, Allah the Almighty said:
إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّسِىٓءُ زِيَادَةٌۭ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُحِلُّونَهُۥ عَامًۭا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُۥ عَامًۭا لِّيُوَاطِـُٔوا۟ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا۟ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ أَعْمَـٰلِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ٣٧
Nasī’ (i.e. postponement of months) is nothing but a further excess in infidelity, whereby the disbelievers are misguided. They allow it one year and disallow it another year, so that they may conform (only) to the number of what Allah has sanctified, and allow what Allah has disallowed. The evil of their deeds has been beautified for them (by Satan). And Allah does not lead the disbelieving people to the right path. (9:37)
Refuting it, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ طِيَرَةَ وَلاَ هَامَةَ وَلاَ صَفَرَ ” .
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no ‘Adwa, no omen, no Hamah and no Safar.”* (Sunan Ibn Majah 3539)
Explanation of the Hadith:
“Laa ‘Adwaa” (No disease transmits by itself): This means that a disease does not spread on its own; rather, it spreads by the command of Allah. However, Islam encourages the adoption of precautionary measures.
“Walaa Ṭiyarah” (No evil omens): This means taking bad omens from anything is wrong, as Islam teaches reliance on Allah (tawakkul) and having a good opinion (ḥusn al-ẓann).
“Wala Hāmah” (No superstitions about owls): In the Age of Ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), Arabs believed that the soul of a deceased person would return in the form of an owl. This belief has been refuted in Islam.
“Wala Ṣafar” (No inauspicious month of Ṣafar): In Jāhiliyyah, people believed that the month of Ṣafar was inauspicious, or they had a superstition about a stomach-related illness associated with it. The Prophet (ﷺ) declared both these notions to be false.
Islam forbids all kinds of superstitions, omens, and baseless beliefs. It instills firm conviction that every matter is in the hands of Allah alone.
There were numerous misconceptions and superstitions associated with the month of Ṣafar, particularly in the pre-Islamic Arab era. The Arabs considered this month to be unlucky, associating it with misfortunes, calamities, and disasters.
Reason for Calling the Month “Ṣafar”
In this month, Arabs would vacate their homes because, due to the sanctity of the months of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, and Muḥarram al-Ḥarām, they would refrain from warfare. Since these three sacred months came consecutively, as soon as they ended, the Arabs would resume battles and depart from their homes for war, leaving their houses empty. Thus, they would say “Ṣafar al-makān” — meaning “the place has become empty.” This is how the month came to be known as “Ṣafar.”
It is deeply unfortunate that even today, many Muslims consider the month of Ṣafar to be unlucky and take omens from it. As a result, they assume that this month is devoid of mercy and blessings.
Consequently, as soon as this month begins, ignorant individuals begin spreading various messages based on misconceptions and superstitions related to it.
Beliefs and Misconceptions of the Age of Ignorance
1. The Inauspicious Month:
The Arabs believed that the month of Safar brought misfortune and calamities. They considered it harmful to travel or carry out important tasks during this month.
2. Calamities and Disasters:
They held the view that more illnesses and disasters occurred during this month. Some even believed that devils were set free in this period.
3. Avoiding Marriage and Celebrations in Safar:
Among the Arabs, there was a belief that holding weddings or joyous celebrations in the month of Safar could lead to misfortune. Even today, some people refrain from organizing marriages or festive events in this month, believing that a marriage held in Safar will amount to “zero” and ultimately fail. Instead, they begin their events in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal. This belief too stems from the perception that Safar is an unlucky and ominous month. However, this notion is baseless and falls into superstition.
Hazrat Thanwi (رحمه الله) said that ignorant women refer to the month of Dhul-Qa’dah as the “empty moon” and consider marriage during it to be unlucky. This belief is also sinful and one must repent from it. Likewise, in some areas, the 13th of Safar is considered inauspicious. All such beliefs are contrary to Islamic teachings and are sinful. One should repent from them.
4. Belief in the Descent of Jinn from the Heavens:
In certain regions, it is commonly believed that during this month, lame, crippled, and blind jinn descend from the skies, and they supposedly tell passersby to recite Bismillah before walking, lest they harm the jinn. Some people even beat boxes, trunks, and walls with sticks to drive the jinn away. All of these notions are baseless and have no connection whatsoever with Islam.
وَالْفِتَنُ وَيُحْتَمَلُ أَنْ يَكُونَ نَفْيًا لِمَا يُتَوَهُمُ أَنَّ شَهْرَ صَفَرَ تَكْثُرُ” فِيهِ الدَّوَاهِي
Mulla Ali Qari (رحمه الله) states:The Prophet (ﷺ) said “La Safar” (There is no [evil omen in the month of] Safar), thereby rejecting the false belief that calamities and tribulations occur frequently in this month.
5. Holding Qur’an Recitation Gatherings:
Considering Qur’an recitation gatherings as mandatory specifically in the month of Safar, or holding them to ward off its perceived misfortune, is an un-Islamic practice.
Correction According to Islam:
The Noble Prophet (ﷺ) rejected these ignorant notions and clearly stated that:
1. There is no concept of misfortune:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ طِيَرَةَ وَلاَ هَامَةَ وَلاَ صَفَرَ ” .
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no ‘Adwa, no omen, no Hamah and no Safar.”* (Sunan Ibn Majah 3539)
2. Admonition Against Superstitions:
The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed the Muslims to abandon the baseless beliefs of the Age of Ignorance and to place their trust in Allah.
3. A Month of Goodness and Blessings:
Islam does not label any month as inauspicious. Rather, all times and seasons are part of Allah’s creation, and the concepts of misfortune or bad omens have no place in it.
The ignorant notions associated with the month of Safar are baseless, and Islam has strongly rejected them. This month, like all others, is created by Allah, and there is no misfortune inherent in it.
We should avoid superstitions and strive to use every month as an opportunity for righteousness and blessings.
There is a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari that states:
حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُؤْذِينِي ابْنُ آدَمَ، يَسُبُّ الدَّهْرَ وَأَنَا الدَّهْرُ، بِيَدِي الأَمْرُ، أُقَلِّبُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ”.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah said, ‘The son of Adam hurts me for he abuses Time though I am Time: in My Hands are all things, and I cause the revolution of day and night.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 4826)
وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍۢ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍۢ ٣٠
Whatever hardship befalls you is because of what your own hands have committed, while He overlooks many (of your faults). (42:30)
4: The Concept of Marriage in the Month of Safar in Islam:
It should be clearly understood that according to Islamic law, among the twelve months and various days of the year, there is no specific month or day in which holding a marriage ceremony is considered undesirable or disliked, nor is there any month in which marriage is deemed inauspicious or bound to fail. In the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, marriages were disapproved of during the month of Shawwal. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) broke this custom by getting married during the month of Shawwal.
Accordingly, Umm al-Mu’minin, Lady A’ishah (رضي الله عنها), states:
وَعَنْهَا قَالَتْ: تَزَوَّجَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي شَوَّالٍ وَبَنَى بِي فِي شَوَّالٍ فَأَيُّ نِسَاءِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ أَحْظَى عِنْدَهُ مِنِّي؟ . رَوَاهُ مُسلم
She said: “God’s Messenger married me in Shawwal and cohabited with me in Shawwal, so which of the wives of God’s Messenger was more beloved by him than I?”
Muslim transmitted it. (Mishkat al-Masabih 3142)
One reason this belief is incorrect is that marriage (nikah) is an important act of worship. It is the Sunnah and practice of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and all the Prophets. Through marriage, a person is protected from gazing at the forbidden and safeguards their private parts.
It is mentioned in a noble hadith: “A person who marries safeguards half of his faith.”
It is worth reflecting: when marriage is such an important act of worship, how can it be prohibited?
Therefore, even in this month, the worship of nikah should be performed, so that a false and incorrect belief may be refuted, and the legitimacy and sanctity of marriage during the month of Ṣafar can be revived.
5. The Reality of Specific Qur’an Recitation in the Month of Ṣafar:
Reciting the Qur’an, in and of itself, is a virtuous act. However, if it is made binding to a specific month or time, or if it is believed that one cannot be saved from misfortune without it, then this becomes an innovation (bid‘ah).
In Islam, there is no concept of ill omen. The Prophet (ﷺ) clearly stated that the month of Ṣafar is like any other month; there is no misfortune associated with it.
The purpose of Qur’an recitation should be to seek the pleasure of Allah, not to fulfill a superstitious belief or baseless notion.
Is reciting the Qur’an prohibited?
No, reciting the Qur’an is not prohibited—in fact, it is a source of reward. However, it is incorrect to designate it specifically for warding off a perceived misfortune.
If someone recites the Qur’an in normal circumstances, makes supplication, and performs righteous deeds, this is perfectly acceptable.
But if a person believes that it is especially necessary to recite the Qur’an during the month of Ṣafar to avoid harm, then such a belief is incorrect.
Reciting the Qur’an in the month of Ṣafar is permissible, but making it obligatory or doing so based on a belief in bad luck is un-Islamic.
It is best that we make the remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Qur’an, and supplication a regular part of every month and every day—without entertaining any notion of misfortune.
A Supplication for Protection from Evil Omens
It is narrated from Sayyiduna ‘Urwah ibn ‘Āmir (رضي الله عنه) that he said:
When the topic of evil omens was mentioned in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), he said:
“A good omen is fine, but an evil omen does not prevent a Muslim from doing anything. So if any of you sees something he dislikes, he should recite the following supplication:”
اللهم لا يأتي بالحسنات إلا أنت، ولا يدفعَ السَّيِّئَاتِ إلا أنت، ولا حَولَ ولا قوة إلا بك
O Allah, You alone are the One who brings all kinds of goodness, and You alone are the One who repels all forms of evil. There is no power to avoid evil nor any strength to do good except through the help of Allah.
