By Haruna Razaq

The habit of attributing evil to certain months is not restricted to some people in Nigeria who believe that the ember months is dotted with some evils.

Some exhibit sheer ignorance with the belief that Safar, the second month of the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar contains the highest evil of the year.

Before with the advent of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Arabs of jahiliyah (ignorance) period had several superstitious beliefs concerning their social, economic and political activity. One of these is the believe that Safar is a month of ill-fortune and bad luck. And they selfishly forbid initiating good things such as marriage, important business etc. in the month.

The advent of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) abolished all the superstitions and beliefs of the jahiliyah period, unfortunately after the demise of the Prophet (SAW), most of the superstitions and beliefs of the jahiliyah period still find its way among some so called Muslims most especially those who use it as a means of business.

Therefore we shall examine some of the proofs that refute the superstitions attached to the month of Safar as well as the authentic view of Islam on it.

In Islam, disaster and misfortune take place according to the Will and Plan of Allah. No other force or power can direct your destiny or cause harm to you except with the permission of Allah. The Holy Qur’an states: “No misfortune can happen on earth nor (afflict) your souls, but is recorded in a Book (long) before We bring it into existence; that is truly easy for Allâh”.

Also, the Prophet (SAW) condemned all the superstitions and beliefs of the jahiliyah period concerning the month of Safar in hadiths. For example, Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that: the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “(There is) no ‘Adwa (no contagious disease is conveyed without Allah’s permission), nor is there any bad omen (from birds), nor is there any Haamah, nor is there any (bad omen in the month of) Safar, and one should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion.” (al-Bukhari, 5387; Muslim, 2220).

Also another hadith states: “Do not revile time (i.e. do not regard any particular day, week or month to be bad, for I (Allah) am the (embodiment) of all time”