The 4 Sacred Months

[LostInThought]

Quote from Sahih Bukhari: Volume 5, Book 59, Number 688:

...The year is of twelve months, four of which are sacred, and out of these (four) three are in succession, i.e. Dhul-Qa'da, Dhul-Hijja and Al-Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab...


Why are these months sacred?

[khmsh]

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah LostInThought,

Allah says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning) :

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was 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…” [Surah Tawbah 9:36]

In my limited understanding, these months are "sacred" because:

(1) Primarily due to ALLAH's calling them sacred. (9:36)

(2) Fighting in these 4 months is forbidden. (but if fighting is initiatedby the enemy first, then we are allowed to defend ourselves).

(3) Transgressing the limits set by Allah in these months, is considered worse than at other times.
(it is sinful to disobey Allah at all times, in all the months, but because Allah has declared these months "sacred", sinning during this time is an even more serious matter, bringing greater punishment. It is also said that performing good acts during these months brings extra rewards). Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

khmsh.