Every month of the Islamic year has its significance, but four months of the calendar have been given more importance in Islam. These four sacred months in islam are Muharram, Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Rajab. These months are considered the most important months of the year, and the reason is that the rewards for our good deeds get doubled in these months. That’s why Muslims become more religiously active in these months and try to do more good deeds to please Allah (SWT).

Muslims around the world fast in these months, pray nawafil, do zikr, and give charity so that they can attain divine pleasure. They refrain from activities that can be a source of Allah’s punishments.

The Holy Quran states about this month

“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve -in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth – of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong yourselves during these months”. (Quran, 9:36).

Let’s discuss in detail which months are regarded sacred by ALLAH (SWT) and the Holy Prophet (PBUH):

  • Dhul-Qadah: Dhul-Qadah is the eleventh month of the Islamic Calendar. The meaning of this month is to sit; by sitting, it refers to sitting at peace and not fighting. This month comes before the month of Hajj, so the Muslims were asked to not get involved in any fights or wars and prepare for the Holy Pilgrimage (HAJJ).

 

  • Dhul-Hijjah: Dhul-Hijjah—the name reflects that it is the month of HAJJ (holy pilgrimage). It is that month of the year when Muslims perform the Hajj, which is also an obligation for every affluent Muslim.

 

  • Muharram: The word muharram means to be forbidden. The Islamic year begins with this month, which is why many things are forbidden.

 

  • Rajab: The word rajab means to remove or refrain. The month has so much Value for Muslims as prayers and repentance from the Muslims get accepted in this month very quickly. Muslims remove their sins by doing Astaghfirullah and refraining from wrong deeds. Also, this is the second-to-last month before Ramadan, so people prepare for Ramadan this month by fasting and indulging more in prayer.

For two reasons, Sacred Months are revered

  1. Fighting is prohibited throughout these months, according to Allah, unless it is started by the opponent.
  2. These months are the worst for breaking the rules of the sacred ground.

WHY RAMADAN IS NOT ONE OF THE SACRED MONTHS?

Ramadan is also one of the greatest months in the Islamic calendar. Many events took place in this month like the revelation of the first verse of the Holy Quran, the conquest of Makkah, the battle of Badar, etc but still this month does not come in the list of sacred months because battles used to happen in this month and war is allowed in this month.

HOW MUSLIMS SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THESE MONTHS?

These months are a great time to get the most rewards and blessings from the All-Powerful Allah. Some strategies for making the most of these months include:

MULTIPLY YOUR PRAYERS AND WORSHIPS

These months are gold months for all Muslims. They should increase their worship and use their time in such deeds which are liked by ALLAH (SWT). Fasting, praying, and asking forgiveness from Allah the Almighty are some of the things that must be done in these four months to please Allah (SWT), as when the creator of the whole universe is pleased with us, all our problems and difficulties will be solved.

DO CHARITY

Charity is one of the acts that are highly favored by Allah (SWT) and is highly rewarding in this world as well as on the Day of Judgment.

The Holy Quran says about charity

“Those who give out of their own possessions by night and by day, in private and in public, will have their reward with their Lord.” 2:274.

Those who spend their money in the way of Allah (SWT) are blessed with more than they have spent. So the act of doing charity must be done, especially in these four months, to increase our rank before Allah (SWT).

BE GOOD WITH OTHERS

Muslims should be kind and humble with their fellow Muslims the whole year. But these are the months when Muslims were particularly asked not to fight. We should be gentle with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We must be cautious that our words and actions do not harm anyone around us.

FASTING

The fasts of Ramadan are obligatory for all Muslims. But the fasts that are kept during these 4 months are highly valuable. Fasting purifies our souls and protects us from evil. Fasting brings us closer to Allah (SWT), and we feel a sense of gratitude. Hence, fasting in these months is a wonderful way of letting ourselves get closer to Allah (SWT).

The Holy Prophet used to fast in the month of Muharram. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,

“The most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God’s month al-Muharram.” [Sahih Muslim].

Similarly, fasting in the month of Rajab, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) are highly rewarding and were done by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as well.

Conclusion

All of the Islamic months have special significance, but for Muslims, these four holy months are the most fruitful. Muslims should therefore perform the most acts of worship throughout this month to reap the rewards of these months.