Safar: A Month of Clarification and Historical Journeys

Safar (صَفَر) is the second month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Historically, the name is derived from the pre-Islamic era when Arabian houses would be left "empty" (sifr) because the inhabitants would leave to gather food or engage in warfare immediately after the sacred month of Muharram ended. Another linguistic interpretation suggests it relates to the yellowing of leaves during the autumn season when the month was originally named.

In Islamic history, Safar holds a vital place not for any innate sanctity or curse—as was the misconception among the Arabs—but for the pivotal events that transpired during this time. It was during Safar that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began his migration (Hijrah) from Makkah, seeking refuge in the cave of Thawr before finally reaching Madinah. This journey fundamentally changed the course of human history and the establishment of the Islamic state.

Furthermore, Safar witnessed several significant military expeditions and treaties that solidified the early Muslim community. Understanding Safar requires shedding cultural superstitions and focusing on the historical resilience, strategic movements, and unyielding faith of the early Muslims.

Safar Calendar 1448

The interactive Hijri calendar for the month of Safar. Dates highlighted indicate a recorded historical event.

1
15 Jul
2
16 Jul
3
17 Jul
4
18 Jul
5
19 Jul
6
20 Jul
7
21 Jul
8
22 Jul
9
23 Jul
10
24 Jul
11
25 Jul
12
26 Jul
13
27 Jul
14
28 Jul
15
29 Jul
16
30 Jul
17
31 Jul
18
01 Aug
19
02 Aug
20
03 Aug
21
04 Aug
22
05 Aug
23
06 Aug
24
07 Aug
25
08 Aug
26
09 Aug
27
10 Aug
28
11 Aug
29
12 Aug
30
13 Aug
Indicates a day with a recorded historical event

Historical Events in Safar

No Events Found

We currently have no major historical events recorded for this specific month.

Recommended Worship in Safar

Unlike Ramadan or Dhu al-Hijjah, there are no specific fasts or prayers exclusively mandated for the month of Safar. The recommended worship consists of maintaining the general Sunnah acts:

  • Fasting the White Days: Fasting the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Safar is recommended, as it is in every lunar month.
  • Mondays and Thursdays: Continuing the Prophet's (peace be upon him) habit of fasting these days.
  • Rejecting Superstitions: A profound act of worship in Safar is actively rejecting omens and placing full trust (Tawakkul) in Allah's decree.

Clarifying Superstitions About Safar

Reality: Absolutely not. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly eradicated this pre-Islamic superstition by stating: "There is no 'Adwa (contagion without Allah's permission), nor is there Tiyarah (bad omens), nor is there Hammah (superstition about a night bird), nor is there Safar (believing the month brings bad luck)." (Sahih Bukhari). Time is created by Allah, and no month inherently carries evil.

Reality: It is completely permissible to marry, start a business, or travel during Safar. Abstaining from these lawful activities due to fear of bad omens is a form of minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) because it implies that a period of time has independent power to cause harm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Safar

Linguistically, it comes from the root word for "empty" or "zero." It historically referenced the time when Arabian tribes would empty their homes to raid other tribes or gather supplies after the restrictions of the sacred month of Muharram were lifted.

The most significant historical event is the beginning of the Hijrah (Migration). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr (RA) left their homes in Makkah and took shelter in the Cave of Thawr during the late days of Safar before arriving in Madinah in Rabi' al-Awwal.