By Kabir Alabi Garba

“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.” (Qur’an 9:36).

Brethren, Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar is over and globally, the second month, known as Safar, has begun since Wednesday, July 15. Linguistically, Safar means emptiness or vacancy, referring to homes being left empty as people travelled or fought, or to the depletion of provisions. Technically, Safar is the second month of the Hijri lunar calendar, occurring after Muḥarram and before Rabīʿ al-Awwal, with no intrinsic blessing or misfortune attached to it according to Islamic teachings. It is among the 12 months mentioned by Allah (SWT) in the Qur’anic verse quoted above.

Although Safar has been surrounded by myths and superstitions in some cultures, Islam came to purify people’s beliefs and direct their hearts toward complete reliance upon Allah alone.

Before Islam, many Arabs believed that Safar was an unlucky month. They avoided marriages, travel, business, and other important affairs because they feared that misfortune would inevitably occur during this month. These beliefs were rooted in ignorance and contradicted the principle of tawd.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) abolished these superstitions. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said: “There is no contagion (except by Allah’s permission), no evil omen, no owl (bringing bad luck), and no Safar.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5757; Sahih Muslim, 2220).

The phrase “no Safar”, scholars have explained to mean there is no inherent bad luck attached to the month of Safar, nor is there any independent force that causes harm apart from Allah’s decree. Indeed, everything happens by Allah’s decree. Allah (SWT) says: “No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a Register before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.” (Qur’an 57:22). This is also corroborated by Qur’an 9:51 where Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘Never will anything befall us except what Allah has decreed for us. He is our Protector, and upon Allah let the believers rely.’”

These verses establish one of the greatest foundations of Islamic belief: nothing happens outside the knowledge, wisdom, and decree of Allah. Therefore, a believer does not fear a particular month, day, number, or object. Instead, the believer fears Allah alone and places complete trust in Him.

Indeed, danger of superstition is apparent. And the Prophet (SAW) warned against allowing superstitions to influence decisions. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Believing in omens is shirk; believing in omens is shirk; believing in omens is shirk.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 3910; Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, 1614 – authenticated by many scholars, including al-Albani).

This warning highlights that believing unseen forces independently control our fortunes undermines sincere reliance upon Allah. Although, not every form of superstition constitutes major shirk, adopting such beliefs can corrupt a person’s faith and weaken tawakkul (trust in Allah).

It is important for Muslims to be conscious of the instruction in Qur’an 98:5, “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, making religion purely for Him alone, Hunafaa, and that they perform Salah and give Zakaah, and that is the right religion.”

By and large, there is no authentic narration prescribing special prayers, fasting, or rituals exclusively for Safar apart from the established meritorious deeds common in all months. Likewise, there is no authentic evidence that calamities are more frequent in Safar than in any other month.

Instead, Muslims should continue the acts of worship that are encouraged throughout the year: establish the five daily prayers with devotion; recite and reflect upon the Qur’an; increase remembrance (dhikr) and supplication (duʿā’); give charity generously; maintain family ties; seek forgiveness frequently among others, thus Allah (SWT) says: “So, race to all that is good.” (Qur’an 2:148). Also, He (SWT) says: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13).

Notwithstanding, Safar teaches us several enduring lessons: First, our faith must be based upon authentic revelation rather than inherited customs or cultural myths. Second, tawakkul is among the greatest qualities of a believer. Whoever relies upon Allah sincerely will never be disappointed. Allah says: “And whoever relies upon Allah—then He is sufficient for him.” (Qur’an 65:3). Third, every month is an opportunity to draw closer to Allah through sincere worship, repentance, and righteous conduct.

As he month of Safar progresses, let us reject every form of superstition and renew our trust in Allah. Let us remember that blessings and trials are not attached to months, but occur only by Allah’s perfect wisdom and decree. A believer’s success lies not in avoiding certain times, but in obeying Allah at all times.

We ask Allah to purify our hearts from superstition, strengthen our faith, increase our reliance upon Him, and make us steadfast upon the Qur’an and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

“O Allah, forgive the believing men and believing women, the living among them and the deceased. Grant relief to those in hardship, cure those who are ill, guide our youth, unite our hearts upon truth, and grant us a good end.”

Let’s remember Allah, the Most High, so, He will remember us. Let’s thank Him for His blessings; and He will increase us in our needs and wants.