The Four Sacred Months

Welcome to month of Dhul Qa'dah, one of the four 'Shahr-ul-Haram' - Sacred Months. 

The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qa'dah and Dhul Hijjah. In these months, the reward for good deeds is multiplied; and though committing sins is forbidden at all times, it is even more forbidden during these months.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْراً فِي كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَوَت وَالاٌّرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلاَ تَظْلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُواْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikin idolaters collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa.” [Surah at-Taubah: 36]

The ayah refers to these four sacred months. We should pay attention to their sanctity, because Allah has singled them out for a special status and has forbidden us to commit sins out of respect for their sanctity, for sins committed at this time are even worse.

Al-Bukhaari (4662) and Muslim (1679) narrated from Abu Bakr that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan."