CURRENTLY ON AIR ⇒
  • Busy buzzy Bees
    Friday, 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
    [ - ]

feedback@radioislam.org.za

logo


((( Listen Live )))))
Radio Islam Logo


The Wisdom of the Sacred Months – Part 4

Three of the four sacred months are successive, namely Dhū al-Qaʿdah, Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the month during which the annual Ḥajj pilgrimage takes place), and Muḥarram. For the pre-Islamic Arabs, the Ḥajj pilgrimage was the beating heart of society and the annual epicentre for trade and information. Preserving its sanctity was of the utmost importance. Ibn Kathir (R) mentions that these three sacred months were consecutive to ensure safe travel to and from the Ḥajj. He also asserts that Rajab was sacred because those who travelled from afar could come earlier in the year to set up for the pilgrimage, and then leave at a later time safely. Protecting travellers to and from the Ḥajj was a priority, and any strife or bad blood amongst tribes was to be put on hold and resumed at a later date, which may be one of the wisdoms behind the prohibition of fighting during these months.

Some scholars mention that the prohibition of fighting during the sacred months originated from Nabi Ibrahim (AS) which the pre-Islamic Arabs adopted in their traditions. Whether there is evidence to prove this is unclear, but we can be certain that the prohibition against fighting during the sacred months existed before Islam, and was practiced by the pre-Islamic Arabs.

The prohibition against fighting continued into the start of the Islamic era as Allah says:
فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ
“Do not wrong yourselves during these months” [At Tauba: 36] and
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلشَّهْرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ ۖ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ
“They ask you about fighting in the sacred month. Say: ‘Fighting in it is a grave [offense].’” [Al Baqarah: 217]
The majority of scholars are of the opinion that the prohibition of fighting in the sacred months was abrogated by the verse:
وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ
“Fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together” and the Prophet’s ﷺ siege of Ṭāʾif during the sacred month of Dhūl-Qaʿdah.

The sacred months is also a time for increasing good deeds, repenting, and avoiding sins. Sins committed in these months are weighed more heavily while good deeds are multiplied, an understanding that has played a role in Islamic jurisprudence. In addition, Māwardī (R) mentions that the emphasis on good deeds and sins during these sacred months is meant to prepare one for the rest of the year. In his Laṭāʾif al-Maʿārif, Ibn Rajab (R) mentions that it is encouraged to increase fasting during all of these months. In addition, he mentions unique benefits of each month which are detailed in the Ahaadith. Glorification can be expressed in a myriad of ways, the Prophetic way being superior. However, what is most important is that a Muslim not treat the sacred months as the rest of the year. As for the narrative that the sacred months are significant mainly because of the prohibition of fighting they are associated with, this has been overstated. We need to transition from understanding the sacred months from a historical perspective to a devotional one moving forward.

ADVERTISE HERE

Prime Spot!!!

Contact:
advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za 

Related Articles

The Action Plan

The Action Plan

Here’s a step-by-step action plan for you to carry your efforts from Ramadhan forward. Post Ramadan Goals: # 1 RECOMMIT. Recommit yourself to the Prayer. The Quran. And Dhikr. Just like you spent some time in Shabaan/beginning of Ramadhan to commit to making the most...

read more
Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

The Mind-Set Mind-set Shift: Control how you think and you’ll control how you act One little thought can change everything inside you.  Work on your mind and your mind will work on everything else for you. Here are some healthy ways to think in your post-Ramadhan...

read more
Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

The Answer Why is it much more difficult to stay consistent after Ramadan? The most obvious answer is: Shaytaan is BACK in the picture… قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَٰطَكَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ثُمَّ لَـَٔاتِيَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ...

read more
Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

Maintaining our Spirituality after Ramadhan

Why is it so Difficult, or is it? Everyone has an idea, even though it may not be so vivid and clear, of what they want to achieve after Ramadhan. Post Ramadhan goals, as they say. But the problem and the biggest challenge we all face is once Ramadhan leaves us, a new...

read more
My Lord Nurtures Me

My Lord Nurtures Me

Giving You Hope and Purpose Hope and purpose are among the greatest blessings Allah ﷻ bestows upon us. Without them, life can feel empty, and challenges can seem unbearable. However, Allah ﷻ, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, nurtures our hearts by instilling hope and...

read more
My Lord Nurtures Me

My Lord Nurtures Me

Surrounding You with Beauty and Wonders One of the most profound ways Allah ﷻ nurtures our hearts, minds, and souls is by surrounding us with beauty and wonders — in nature, in the universe, and even in our own existence. Through His creation, He provides signs of His...

read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

0 Comments