If I were to ask you what month we are in, your instinctive response would most probably be - May, and that wouldn't be wrong.
However, what many of us fail to realise is that we are just over halfway through an important season of worship - one of the four sacred months.
But what are these Sacred months ? Why are they so important ? and how can we make the best of them ?
Let’s find out!
It has been approximately days since we bid farewell to Ramadan, and many of us still vividly recall the tranquility and sense of accomplishment we felt with fasting, the serenity of our night prayers, and the spiritual growth we experienced throughout the month.
We all long for the Iman boost we experienced to stay, but in reality, it's natural for our iman to ebb and flow. As such, our most compassionate Creator, Allah (ﷻ), has provided us with special times throughout the year to revive and rejuvenate our faith.
Among these blessed periods are the four Sacred Months—often overlooked but incredibly valuable opportunities for reflection, renewal, and spiritual growth. Let’s explore the significance of these months and how we can make the most of them.
Allah (ﷻ) mentions these months explicitly in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them." (Qur’an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
Imam Al-Qurtubi, in his renowned exegesis al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, explains that Allah Himself established these months at the time of creation, making their sanctity timeless and universally acknowledged.
The sacred months are:
Their sacredness is highlighted by two main factors:
This intensified sanctity calls for increased mindfulness and piety during these times. (IslamQA)
Allah's deliberate choice of these months underscores their significance. Imam Ibn Kathir beautifully articulates:
"Allah has chosen certain ones from His creation; He selected messengers from the angels and prophets from mankind, and from His words He chose forms of remembrance (dhikr). Likewise, He selected specific months, elevating Ramadan and the Sacred Months. Hence, glorify what Allah has glorified, for doing so is a mark of true knowledge and insight." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
Each sacred month provides distinct spiritual opportunities:
Dhun Nun Al-Masri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Rajab is the month of planting, Sha`ban is the month of irrigating, and Ramadan is the month of harvesting. Everyone will reap what he sowed, and will be rewarded for what he did, so the one who neglects his crops will feel regret on the day of harvest, and he will not get what he was expecting. (IslamQA).
Good deeds are magnified during these months, while sins become significantly more severe. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
"Allah made sins during these months graver, and righteous deeds and rewards greater." (Tafsir At-Tabari, Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
Understanding this encourages heightened spiritual vigilance and proactive engagement in righteous actions.
The sacred are a time for us to Reflect deeply on our personal actions, our habits and for us to avoid sins as emphasized by Allah (ﷻ):
“So do not wrong yourselves during them...” (Qur’an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
As we journey through Dhul-Qa’dah, let's seize the moment to spiritually recharge and renew our faith. Let’s embrace this time as a chance to draw closer to Allah (ﷻ), improve our characters, and prepare for even greater spiritual experiences ahead.
Discover more about Islam’s rich teachings, spirituality, and history through True Ilm’s extensive library of eBooks and audiobooks.
A personal recommendation would be the audiobook of Imam As-Sa'di's Tafsir of Surah Tawbah.
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If I were to ask you what month we are in, your instinctive response would most probably be - May, and that wouldn't be wrong.
However, what many of us fail to realise is that we are just over halfway through an important season of worship - one of the four sacred months.
But what are these Sacred months ? Why are they so important ? and how can we make the best of them ?
Let’s find out!
It has been approximately days since we bid farewell to Ramadan, and many of us still vividly recall the tranquility and sense of accomplishment we felt with fasting, the serenity of our night prayers, and the spiritual growth we experienced throughout the month.
We all long for the Iman boost we experienced to stay, but in reality, it's natural for our iman to ebb and flow. As such, our most compassionate Creator, Allah (ﷻ), has provided us with special times throughout the year to revive and rejuvenate our faith.
Among these blessed periods are the four Sacred Months—often overlooked but incredibly valuable opportunities for reflection, renewal, and spiritual growth. Let’s explore the significance of these months and how we can make the most of them.
Allah (ﷻ) mentions these months explicitly in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them." (Qur’an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
Imam Al-Qurtubi, in his renowned exegesis al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, explains that Allah Himself established these months at the time of creation, making their sanctity timeless and universally acknowledged.
The sacred months are:
Their sacredness is highlighted by two main factors:
This intensified sanctity calls for increased mindfulness and piety during these times. (IslamQA)
Allah's deliberate choice of these months underscores their significance. Imam Ibn Kathir beautifully articulates:
"Allah has chosen certain ones from His creation; He selected messengers from the angels and prophets from mankind, and from His words He chose forms of remembrance (dhikr). Likewise, He selected specific months, elevating Ramadan and the Sacred Months. Hence, glorify what Allah has glorified, for doing so is a mark of true knowledge and insight." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
Each sacred month provides distinct spiritual opportunities:
Dhun Nun Al-Masri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Rajab is the month of planting, Sha`ban is the month of irrigating, and Ramadan is the month of harvesting. Everyone will reap what he sowed, and will be rewarded for what he did, so the one who neglects his crops will feel regret on the day of harvest, and he will not get what he was expecting. (IslamQA).
Good deeds are magnified during these months, while sins become significantly more severe. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
"Allah made sins during these months graver, and righteous deeds and rewards greater." (Tafsir At-Tabari, Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
Understanding this encourages heightened spiritual vigilance and proactive engagement in righteous actions.
The sacred are a time for us to Reflect deeply on our personal actions, our habits and for us to avoid sins as emphasized by Allah (ﷻ):
“So do not wrong yourselves during them...” (Qur’an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
As we journey through Dhul-Qa’dah, let's seize the moment to spiritually recharge and renew our faith. Let’s embrace this time as a chance to draw closer to Allah (ﷻ), improve our characters, and prepare for even greater spiritual experiences ahead.
Discover more about Islam’s rich teachings, spirituality, and history through True Ilm’s extensive library of eBooks and audiobooks.
A personal recommendation would be the audiobook of Imam As-Sa'di's Tafsir of Surah Tawbah.
[Insert relevant colateral and links]
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