The Month of Safar

Believing the month of Safar is inauspicious, and particularly to believe that its first thirteen days are ‘bad luck’ or that it is harmful to marry or propose to marry or undertake a journey, etc., during these days are beliefs contrary to the teachings of Islam.

In the pre-Islamic era people considered the month of Safar to be evil and ominous. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) strongly rejected such beliefs and ideas. The truth is, no time, day, month or date is evil in itself , but the deeds of people are either good or bad. The time spent in the performance of good deeds will be auspicious, and the time spent in sin and the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala will be evil and ominous.

The month of Safar is not ominous. Evil deeds and incorrect beliefs are ominous and should be given up and repented for. It is incorrect to postpone or delay marriage or its proposal or a journey, etc. because of such beliefs.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Belief in ill-omen is Shirk (polytheistic), (he said this thrice), and the owl’s ominousness is nothing.’ The Mushrikeen (polytheists) of Arabia used to believe that a house near which an owl screeches will be ruined, hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) refuted this belief as false. Thereafter, he said, ‘There is nothing ominous about the month of Safar’. (Bukhari Vol.1 pg.857)

The polytheists believed the month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) rejected this superstition. It is therefore wrong for Muslims, who are the followers of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), to adopt the ways of the disbelievers and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to abolish.

May Allah grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice upon all the beautiful teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Aameen.