Safar is the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It holds historical significance due to events in the life of Prophet Muhammad but has no specific religious observances. Several important events in Islamic history took place during Safar, highlighting its religious and historical importance.
The word 'Safar' (صَفَر) in Arabic has multiple meanings that provide insight into its significance and historical context:
In pre-Islamic times, Arabs considered Safar an unlucky month, associating it with misfortune and suffering. They believed that evil forces were more active during this time, leading to increased calamities. This superstition made Safar a month of inauspiciousness and caution.
Prophet Muhammad advice to cut off these pre Islamic customs.He said
Paying attention to the bad omen (tayyara) is association (shirk). It has nothing to do with us. Allah will remove it by reliance on Him.
(Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 909)
In the early 7th century, Prophet Muhammad was spreading the message of Islam in Makkah, facing severe opposition from the Quraysh tribe. The Islamic calendar began with the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Madina. The first year spent in Madinah was marked as 1 AH, marking the beginning of the Islamic era and the establishment of the first Muslim community.
It was during this month that the cornerstone of Islam, the Hijrah, was laid. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his loyal companions, facing immense persecution in Makkah, embarked on a perilous journey to Madinah.
Imagine the courage and faith it took to leave behind everything familiar - family, home, and a life of relative comfort - to pursue a mission ordained by Allah.
When Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his close friend Hazrat Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) were escaping from the Quraish, who wanted to capture them and had put a reward on the Prophet’s head. They hid in the Cave of Thawr, when the Quraish troops were getting very close in searching of them.
Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) was scared and said to Prophet (ﷺ) If one of them lift up his foot, he will see us.
Prophet ﷺ replied
What do you think of two, the third of whom is Allah?"
(Sahih al-Bukhari 4663)
As the Quraish soldiers neared the cave, a spider spun a web across the entrance and two doves made a nest with eggs nearby. This made it look like no one had been in the cave for a long time. Because of this, the soldiers didn’t check inside and left, not knowing how close they were to finding the Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr.
The Qur’an describes this miracle in Verse 40 of Surah Tawba as:
If you help him (Muhammad SAW) not (it does not matter), for Allâh did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad SAW and Abu Bakr radhiallahu'anhu) were in the cave, and he (SAW) said to his companion (Abu Bakr radhiallahu'anhu): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allâh is with us." Then Allâh sent down His Sakînah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allâh that became the uppermost, and Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
In early Muharram of 7 AH (May 628 CE), Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) led a military expedition to Khaybar, a place where the Jews had been conspiring against the Muslims. After years of trouble from Khaybar and its allies, it was time to confront them.
By Safar (June 628 CE), the Prophet (ﷺ) and his army had successfully taken control of Khaybar. The battle was hard-fought, but the Muslims emerged victorious. They returned to Medina on the 1st of Rabi' I (July 9, 628 CE), bringing peace and stability to the region.
This victory was a turning point for the early Muslim community, putting an end to the constant threats from Khaybar and its allies, and securing a new chapter of peace and strength.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) fell ill on the 29th day of Safar in the year 11 AH. His illness began abruptly after attending funeral rites at Al-Baqi cemetery. Despite his weakened state, he continued to lead the Muslim community in prayer for eleven consecutive days. After a prolonged illness, the Prophet passed away on the 12th day of Rabi'ul Awwal in the same year, marking an immense loss for the Islamic world.
Safar, the month of Hijrah, commemorates the courage of Prophet Muhammad(ﷺ) who, upon Allah's command, migrated from Makkah to Madinah amidst severe persecution, marking the dawn of a new era for Muslims. This journey, marked by immense sacrifice, is a beacon of hope in today’s world. As we navigate the challenges of Islamophobia, let us draw strength from the Prophet's resilience. Patience and perseverance, the cornerstones of that era, remain our guiding principles. By responding to adversity with wisdom, we not only protect our faith but also inspire a better future.
Persevere! Surely Allah is with those who persevere.
(Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 46)
