“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; of these, four are sacred.” (At-Tawbah: 36)

Allah created the earth and all that it encompasses, establishing a temporal system of twelve months, by which people manage their lives, in His decree on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Among these months, He designated four as sacred: Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram.

It is narrated from Abu Bakrah that the Prophet ﷺ said during his sermon in the Farewell Pilgrimage: “Time has completed a cycle to the form of the day when God created the heavens and the earth. The year contains twelve months of which four are sacred, three of them consecutive, viz. Dhul Qa'da, Dhul Hijja. and Muharram, and also Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumada and Sha'ban.” (The month Rajab is here connected with the North Arabian tribe of Mudar because they are said to have honoured it greatly and never to have broken its sacred nature. The precise reference to its place among the months is said to be for the purpose of removing any doubt about it owing to the earlier practice of periodically intercalating a month). (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Regarding the wisdom behind the sanctity of these months, Ibn Kathir said: “The sacred months are four: three consecutive and one separate. This was due to the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Allah made the month before the months of Hajj sacred, which is Dhul-Qa'dah, because they would sit [cease fighting] in it and prepare for Hajj without engaging in war. Dhul-Hijjah was made sacred because they perform the Hajj rituals and are occupied with completing its rites. Another month was made sacred after it, which is Muharram, so that they could return safely to their distant lands. Rajab was made sacred in the middle of the year for the purpose of visiting the House (Kaaba) and performing Umrah by those coming from the far corners of the Arabian Peninsula, so they could visit and return to their homeland safely.” ⁽¹⁾

The Status of the Sacred Months

In His divine wisdom, Allah has chosen specific times that He loves and honors above others. Suhayl ibn Abi Salih narrated from his father, who quoted Ka'b as saying: “Allah has chosen specific times, and the most beloved times to Allah are the Sacred Months, the most beloved of which is Dhul-Hijjah, and the most beloved part of Dhul-Hijjah is its first ten days.” ⁽²⁾ Allah commanded Muslims to revere these months as part of His sacred rituals: “That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord.” (Al-Hajj: 30)

The veneration of these months was not an innovation of Islam but was also practiced in the pre-Islamic era. Arabs refrained from warfare and acts of vengeance during these months. Ibn Kathir comments: “A man would encounter his father’s killer during the Sacred Months and not lay a hand on him.” ⁽³⁾

The Arabs held the sacred months in such high regard that if they wanted to engage in urgent or necessary combat, they would postpone some of these months to avoid bloodshed during them. The Quran prohibited this practice, known as al-nasīʾ (postponing), as Allah says, “Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” (At-Tawbah: 37) In these sacred months, there are two types of sanctity: one for Allah the Almighty and another for the believer.

Sanctity for Allah

1. Prohibition of warfare: Allah forbade all forms of fighting during these months, whether between Muslims or against disbelievers.

2. Prohibition of injustice and aggression: Oppression is prohibited at all times but is especially grave during these sacred months. Allah says, “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; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.” (At-Tawbah: 36) Imam Ibn Ashur explains in his commentary: “The reason for the specific prohibition of sins during these months is that Allah made them times designated for worship. If one is not engaged in worship during these months, then at least they should not be involved in sin. This does not mean that sins are not prohibited at other times, but rather that sins during these months are more severe, and righteous deeds are rewarded more greatly. A similar example is Allah's saying: (There is no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.) (Al-Baqarah: 197), as disobedience is prohibited both during Hajj and at other times.” ⁽⁴⁾

3- Encouragement of good deeds: Acts such as prayer, fasting, charity, and Quran recitation are highly recommended during these months. Imam Qatadah states: “Good deeds are more rewarding during the Sacred Months, and wrongdoing is more severe during them, even though wrongdoing is always severe.” ⁽⁵⁾

• Prohibition of hunting for the Muhrim in Hajj and Umrah: Allah says, “O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of ihram.” (Al-Maidah: 95)

Sanctity for the Muslim

• An Opportunity for Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness: During these months, there is an increase in reward and blessings, and righteous deeds performed by a Muslim are multiplied in reward. With Allah's vast mercy, especially during these blessed days, He accepts repentance. Therefore, this is a golden opportunity for many Muslims to start anew, striving for repentance and reform.
• An Opportunity to Strengthen Social Bonds: These months help in fostering social cohesion among Muslims, strengthening ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and kindness, maintaining family relationships, assisting the needy, giving abundant charity, and rejecting hatred and disputes among Muslims.
• A Reminder of the Importance of Peace: These months remind us of the importance of peace and harmony among people, as wars cease, hearts reconcile, and souls calm.

Importance of Prohibiting Warfare in the Sacred Months

The prohibition of fighting during the sacred months is one of the fundamental rulings brought by Islam, carrying profound wisdom and noble objectives. This wisdom is evident in several aspects:

1. Preserving and Sanctifying Life: The prohibition of fighting during these months reflects Islam's reverence for human life, considering it a trust that must be safeguarded.
2. Strengthening social bonds and uniting the Ummah, building trust among its members.
3. Providing a Safe Environment for Hajj: By coinciding with some of these months, the prohibition of fighting ensures the safety and security of pilgrims during the Hajj season, safeguarding the sanctity of the Sacred Mosque.
4. Affirming the Values of Peace: Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace, love, and strong bonds between people. Through this prohibition, Islam sends a clear message to the world that the objective of wars and conquests is to liberate humanity.
5. Encouraging Dialogue: This ruling promotes dialogue and understanding, not as an alternative to warfare to raise the banner of Allah but as a complement to it. War is only permissible against aggressors.
6. Focusing on Spiritual Aspects: This prohibition emphasizes devotion, increased acts of worship, and doing everything Allah loves. Worship includes refraining from actions that displease Allah. All this contributes significantly to refining, elevating, and purifying souls from hatred and grudges.
7. A Divine Legislative Wisdom: Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen these specific months, as He knows best what benefits His servants and the appropriate times and places for that benefit.
8. Balancing Interests: This ruling achieves a general benefit for people by preserving security and stability.

The prohibition of fighting during the sacred months is a wise divine command aimed at protecting life, strengthening social ties, and providing a safe environment for worship. It is a testament to the greatness of Islam and its concern for humanitarian and ethical aspects. Now, as we witness the sacred months, let us seize this opportunity to benefit as much as possible.

-------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (4/148).
(2) Lata’if al-Ma'arif by Ibn Rajab, p. 267.
(3) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (1/413).
(4) Tafsir Al-Qurtubi (8/134).
(5) Tafsir Al-Baghawi (3/345).

Read the Article in Arabic