superstition

The widespread belief that the Islamic month of Safar brings misfortune, disaster, and various calamities continues to persist among certain segments of society. This deep-seated conviction often leads individuals to postpone or avoid significant life events such as marriage, long-distance travel, or the initiation of new business ventures during the second month of the Hijri calendar. This practice, however, stands in stark contrast to the fundamental teachings of Islam, which unequivocally refute such superstitions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly and emphatically debunked the notion of Safar being an unlucky month through authentic narrations, laying a clear theological foundation against pre-Islamic pagan beliefs.

Historical Roots of Superstition in Pre-Islamic Arabia

To understand the tenacity of the Safar superstition, it is crucial to delve into the historical context of pre-Islamic Arabia, an era known as Jahiliyah (the Age of Ignorance). During this period, various forms of divination, omens, and superstitions were deeply ingrained in the Bedouin culture and urban life. The month of Safar, in particular, acquired a sinister reputation for several reasons.

Firstly, Safar immediately followed the four sacred months (Dhu al-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab) during which warfare and raiding were strictly prohibited. As soon as these sacred months concluded, tribal conflicts and skirmishes would often resume with renewed intensity. This surge in hostilities and the resulting loss of life, property, and security during Safar led many to associate the month with misfortune and hardship. It was perceived as a time when calamities were more likely to strike, not due to any inherent quality of the month itself, but due to the socio-political realities of increased conflict.

Secondly, some pre-Islamic Arabs held a belief that Safar was a harmful serpent residing in the stomach, which would afflict humans, particularly during hunger or sickness. This ancient medical superstition attributed ailments to the month rather than understanding natural causes. Another related belief was that of hamah, where the soul of a murdered person, unavenged, would transform into an owl (or another bird) and hover over the grave, crying out until vengeance was exacted. These birds were often associated with ill omens and misfortune, and the term hamah was sometimes linked to Safar in the broader context of portents.

Furthermore, the nomadic lifestyle of many Arab tribes meant frequent movement. During Safar, as resources dwindled in certain areas, tribes might have had to undertake arduous journeys, exposing them to dangers and uncertainties. This practical experience, combined with a lack of understanding of natural phenomena and a propensity for attributing events to mystical causes, cemented Safar’s reputation as an inauspicious time. These multifarious beliefs collectively painted Safar as a period to be feared and avoided for crucial undertakings.

The Prophetic Rebuttal: A Foundation of Islamic Monotheism

The advent of Islam brought a revolutionary change to these superstitious mindsets. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) systematically dismantled the pagan practices and beliefs of Jahiliyah, replacing them with a robust monotheistic worldview centered on Tawhid (the absolute Oneness of God) and complete reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). His teachings aimed to liberate humanity from fear of omens, stars, months, or any created entity, directing all worship and trust towards the Creator alone.

Central to this refutation is a profoundly significant Hadith (prophetic narration) authenticated by both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, the two most authoritative compilers of Hadith. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explicitly stated:

"لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ طِيَرَةَ وَلاَ هَامَةَ وَلاَ صَفَرَ، وَفِرَّ مِنَ الْمَجْذُومِ كَمَا تَفِرُّ مِنَ الأَسَدِ"

"There is no adwa (contagion without Allah’s will), no tiyarah (evil omen), no hamah (superstitious belief about owls), and no Safar (is unlucky). And flee from the leper as you flee from a lion."

This concise yet comprehensive Hadith addresses several prevalent superstitions of the time, directly challenging the foundations of polytheistic and pre-Islamic fatalistic beliefs. Each component of the Hadith carries profound theological weight:

1. La ‘Adwa’ (No Contagion Without Allah’s Will): This phrase does not deny the existence of contagion or the transmission of diseases. Rather, it refutes the pagan belief that disease spreads independently of Allah’s divine decree and power. Islam acknowledges the reality of contagion but asserts that it is merely a means, and ultimately, it is Allah who permits or prevents the spread of illness. The latter part of the Hadith, "And flee from the leper as you flee from a lion," further clarifies this, demonstrating that taking precautionary measures is permissible and even encouraged, but the belief that the disease itself possesses an inherent, independent power to harm is rejected. It teaches rational action within a framework of divine sovereignty.

2. Wa La Tiyarah (No Evil Omen): Tiyarah refers to superstitions based on omens, particularly those derived from observing birds. For example, if a bird flew to the right, it might be considered a good omen; if to the left, a bad one. This practice was widespread and influenced major decisions. The Prophet’s rejection of tiyarah underscores that good and bad fortune are solely from Allah and are not dictated by arbitrary natural occurrences. It promotes reliance on Allah and a positive outlook, rather than fear of random events.

3. Wa La Hamah (No Superstitious Belief about Owls): As mentioned, hamah referred to the pre-Islamic belief that the soul of a murdered person would turn into an owl and cry out for vengeance, or generally that owls were harbingers of ill fortune. This belief was explicitly refuted, liberating people from the dread associated with certain creatures or sounds.

4. Wa La Safar (No [Misfortune in the Month of] Safar): This is the direct and unequivocal rebuttal of the superstition surrounding the month of Safar. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly stated that Safar holds no inherent ill luck or misfortune. It is a month like any other, subject to Allah’s decree, and devoid of any independent power to bring good or bad. This declaration serves to dismantle a significant source of anxiety and restriction for the early Muslim community and for believers across generations.

The Hadith, being Sahih (authentic and sound) and agreed upon by the most rigorous Hadith scholars, establishes a foundational principle: Islam liberates its followers from baseless fears and superstitions, grounding their understanding of reality in divine power and wisdom. It encourages rational thought, reliance on Allah, and proactive engagement with life, rather than being paralyzed by imagined misfortunes linked to specific times or places.

Scholarly Interpretations and Unanimous Consensus

Islamic scholars throughout history have consistently affirmed and elaborated upon the Prophet’s teaching regarding Safar. Imam An-Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, explained that the Prophet’s statement nullifies all forms of superstition, including those related to specific times or months. He highlighted that good and evil are ultimately from Allah, and no created thing, be it a bird, a day, or a month, has the independent power to bring fortune or misfortune.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his monumental commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Fath al-Bari, further detailed the various pre-Islamic interpretations of Safar and how the Prophet’s statement comprehensively rejected them. He emphasized that attaching good or bad omens to specific times or objects constitutes a form of minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) because it attributes power and influence to something other than Allah, thus undermining the purity of Tawhid.

Contemporary Islamic jurists and fatwa councils worldwide uphold this classical scholarly consensus. They routinely issue rulings emphasizing that the belief in the inauspiciousness of Safar is a remnant of Jahiliyah and has no place in Islam. The message is clear: all months are creations of Allah, and all times are equally under His command. There is no specific time that is inherently unlucky or lucky; rather, the outcomes of events depend on Allah’s decree, human actions, and natural causes, not on the calendar month.

Theological Foundations: Upholding Tawhid and Tawakkul

The rejection of Safar superstitions is deeply rooted in the core Islamic theological concepts of Tawhid and Tawakkul.

• Tawhid (Oneness of God): Islam’s most fundamental principle is that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and He alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of the universe. Attributing power or influence to anything other than Allah – be it a month, a bird, a star, or a number – undermines this core tenet. Believing that Safar can independently bring misfortune implies that it has a power comparable to or separate from Allah’s, which is a form of shirk.

• Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah): Islam teaches believers to put their complete trust and reliance in Allah in all matters. While individuals are encouraged to take all necessary precautions and plan diligently, the ultimate outcome is left to Allah’s decree. Superstitions breed fear and anxiety, leading people to rely on omens or avoid certain times, thereby diverting their trust from Allah to external, baseless phenomena. The Prophet’s teaching fosters a sense of security and peace, knowing that all affairs are in the hands of the All-Wise and All-Powerful.

• Qadar (Divine Decree): Islam posits that everything that occurs, good or bad, is by Allah’s divine decree. This does not negate human free will or accountability but emphasizes that all events unfold within a pre-ordained framework. Blaming a month like Safar for misfortunes contradicts the understanding of Qadar, implying that the month itself, rather than Allah’s decree, is the agent of fate.

Safar in Islamic History: A Month Like Any Other

Far from being a month of cessation or misfortune, Islamic history records numerous significant events that occurred during Safar, demonstrating that the early Muslims, guided by prophetic teachings, did not halt their activities or view the month with apprehension.

• Early Military Expeditions: One of the earliest military expeditions led by the Prophet Muhammad himself, the Battle of Abwa (also known as Waddan), is believed by many historians to have taken place in Safar of the second year of Hijrah (623 CE). This demonstrates that the Prophet did not avoid strategic military actions during this month.
• The Battle of Khaybar: While historical accounts vary slightly on the exact month, some prominent narrations place the Battle of Khaybar, a pivotal victory for the Muslims, in Safar of the seventh year of Hijrah (628 CE). This significant event further underscores that important undertakings, even those involving great risk, were not considered inappropriate for Safar.
• Delegations and Treaties: The Prophet Muhammad received various delegations and concluded treaties in different months, including Safar, as part of his mission to spread Islam and establish peace.
• Personal and Social Events: The companions of the Prophet continued with their marriages, business dealings, and travels without any documented hesitation or avoidance during Safar, clearly following the Prophet’s instruction to reject such superstitions. The marriage of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah az-Zahra, while its precise date is debated, certainly highlights that marriages, among the most significant life events, were not shunned in any particular month.

These historical facts serve as compelling evidence against the notion of Safar being an unlucky month. They illustrate that the Muslim community, guided by the Prophet’s teachings, treated Safar as a normal part of the calendar, a period during which life, with all its joys and challenges, continued under the overarching decree of Allah.

Contemporary Relevance and Societal Impact

Despite centuries of clear Islamic teachings, the superstition surrounding Safar regrettably persists in various Muslim-majority societies. This often manifests in:

• Delayed Marriages: Couples or their families may postpone weddings until Rabi’ al-Awwal or later, causing unnecessary delays and anxiety.
• Avoidance of Business Ventures: Entrepreneurs might hesitate to launch new businesses, sign contracts, or make significant investments, potentially missing opportune moments.
• Travel Restrictions: Some individuals may avoid embarking on long journeys or even short trips, leading to disruptions in personal and professional life.
• Medical Procedures: In extreme cases, people might postpone elective surgeries or medical treatments, which could have health implications.
• General Anxiety: The pervasive belief can create a sense of dread and apprehension among individuals, affecting their psychological well-being throughout the month.

The societal impact of these lingering superstitions is not trivial. It can lead to economic stagnation due to delayed investments, social friction due to postponed life events, and psychological distress from unfounded fears. It also reflects a departure from the rational and empowering worldview of Islam, which encourages proactive engagement with life while placing ultimate trust in Allah.

Conclusion: Embracing Islamic Rationality and Trust in Allah

The enduring message from the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is one of liberation and empowerment. Islam frees its adherents from the shackles of baseless fears and superstitions, redirecting their focus towards Allah, the sole dispenser of good and ill. The month of Safar, like any other month, is a creation of Allah, a segment of time with no inherent power to dictate human destiny. All events, whether perceived as fortunate or unfortunate, occur by Allah’s will and wisdom.

It is incumbent upon religious scholars, educators, and community leaders to continuously educate the public on these fundamental Islamic principles. By promoting a deeper understanding of Tawhid, Tawakkul, and Qadar, and by reiterating the Prophet’s clear guidance, societies can be gradually cleansed of these remnants of Jahiliyah. Embracing the true spirit of Islam means living a life free from irrational fears, actively pursuing good deeds, making sound decisions, and placing unwavering trust in Allah, knowing that every moment is an opportunity for piety and progress. The month of Safar, therefore, should be approached with the same hope, diligence, and reliance on God as any other month in the Islamic calendar.