While the most blessed 10 days have come to pass, the whole month of Dhul Hijjah remains a time where we have one of the greatest opportunities to gain rewards from Allah (SWT). In fact, it is named one of the sacred months in Islam, of which there are four in total.
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong one another during these months.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)
What are the Four Sacred Months in Islam?
In hadith, the four sacred months in Islam are said to be Rajab, Dhul Q’ada, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram. The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul Q’ada, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Shaban." (Al-Bukhari)
The sacredness of the months of Rajab, Dhul Q’ada, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram is a mark of the Divine Wisdom of Allah (SWT) as, even in pre-Islamic times, these months were respected by the Arabs. Wars, fighting and transgressions were forbidden in commemoration of the four months. When Quranic verses and ahadith were relayed describing the sacred four months, they became revered as one of the best times to heighten one’s mindfulness of Allah (SWT) and make the most of His blessings.
What are the Meanings and Virtues of the Four Sacred Months?
Individually, the four sacred months of the Islamic calendar are described as having these meanings and qualities.
Dhul-Q’ada, the 11th Islamic month and the month before the season of Hajj, in its literal meaning, is the month to sit. Within this month, you are discouraged from engaging in any type of warfare. It is a month when you sit down and take the time to prepare yourself spiritually, physically and mentally for the next month ahead.
Dhul Hijjah, even in pre-Islamic times, was the month when Hajj was performed, so it means the month of the pilgrimage. As the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, it serves as a reminder of Allah’s (SWT) Divine Mercy, especially in the first 10 days, which has the most blessed Day of Arafah and the start of Eid Al-Adha, and the Days of Tashreeq.
Muharram, the 1st Islamic month, means sanctity or forbidden. It is named as such as it marks the beginning of the Islamic year and the renewed lives of the pilgrims who have returned home from Hajj. It is also revered as Allah’s (SWT) month, and it is within this month when the most excellent fast is had, second only to fasting in the month of Ramadan (Muslim).
Rajab, the 7th Islamic month, means to remove and refrain. It is the only month that does not come in succession and instead falls on the second to last month before Ramadan. It is revered as a time when one stops all conflicts and thoroughly begins preparing for the holy month of Ramadan. The event of Isra and Miraj, the night where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to the heavens and back, was also said to have happened during this month.
In examining the qualities of these four sacred months, it is clear that Allah (SWT) has blessed these months with many significant events and opportunities to maximise our rewards from Him.
How Do We Make the Most of the Four Sacred Months?
With how special these four sacred months are in our lives as Muslims, it is important to take into account how we can make the most of them.
As a time when our good deeds are elevated, we should try and maximise our acts of worship during the sacred months. Increasing in dhikr, praying on time and spreading goodness and joy to others for the sake of Allah (SWT) are examples of simple but beloved deeds we can carry out in our day-to-day lives.
The four sacred months also mark a time where, in addition to our good deeds being multiplied, our misdeeds are also weighed more heavily. War and fighting are prohibited within the month of Rajab, Dhul Q’ada, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram. These are the months to reflect on ourselves and to stop being unfair to others and oneself. As said in the verse of in Surah Al-Tawbah where the sacred months are mentioned: “So do not wrong one another during these months.”
As we continue to reflect on the four sacred months throughout the year, let us make the most of this blessed month and next and increase in good for the sake of Allah (SWT), insha Allah!
Keywords: sacred months in islam, four sacred months, most sacred months in Islam, quran, fighting, sacred month meaning, rajab, muharram, dhul qada, Islamic calendar
Questions: What are the sacred months of islam? Why is rajab/muharram/dhul qada a sacred month?