Safar al Muzaffar, 9th Month of Islamic Calendar (Sifr, Sufr, Sifar, Sufar, Safer, Sufer, Sifer)

Safar al Muzaffar literally means ‘the void (empty) month’.

The origin of this word has two theories:

1) When the pagan Arabs went on their looting expeditions they would leave their houses empty or ‘sifr’ meaning void.

2) The word is derived from the Arabic word for yellow called ‘sufr’: as when it was first named it fell in the time of autumn, hence the derivation the word yellow as all the leaves at that time turned yellow.

It is held to be the unluckiest month of the calendar, as in this month Adam was turned out of the Garden of Eden.

Question:

Is there anything special in month of Safar al Muzaffar, because people are saying that this month Allah sends many problems for his slaves? Is it true that we are supposed to pray specific prayers to protect ourselves and we are not supposed to marry or have any other happy occasion?

Answer:

The answer of this question that We supplicate Allah to bless us to follow the right Sunnah. Know that a Muslim must safeguard his faith and keep it away from myths and superstitions. Allah says (interpretation of meaning):

{Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us. He is our Maulâ (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allâh let the believers put their trust.}[9: 51]

He also says (interpretation of meaning):

{… And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. …}[65: 3]

The month of Safar al Muzaffar is like all other months. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) condemned what is said about this month. Abu Hurairah (Radiya Allahu Anhu) reported from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) that he said:

"No 'Adwa (i.e. no contagious disease is conveyed to others without Allah's permission); nor (any evil omen in the month of) Safar al Muzaffar; nor Hama." A bedouin said, "O Allah's Apostle! What about the camels which, when on the sand (desert) look like deers, but when a mangy camel mixes with them they all get infected with mange?" On that Allah's Apostle said, "Then who conveyed the (mange) disease to the first (mangy) camel?"

It is narrated from Ibn Masoud that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:

"No 'Adwa nor Safar al Muzaffar, Allah created every soul and wrote its life, livelihood and trials." [At-Tirmithi]

The above Ahadith clearly prove that the month of Safar al Muzaffar does not have any special characteristics.

Know that performing special prayers in this month to safeguard oneself from evil or abstaining from marrying or from any other happy occasion is nothing but myths.

A Muslim should give up such fairy tales and should follow the Holy Qur'an, sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and the way of the Sahabah (Prophet's companions) and their followers.