Safar

Months of the year: Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
• Literal meaning: Empty. During this month the houses used to be empty and deserted because the ban on going to war in the month of Muharram came to an end and everyone proceeded towards the battlefield.

• Safar also means to be yellow. When the names of the months were being given it was the season of autumn and the leaves of the trees were yellow.

• Many people have incorrect beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allâh Ta'âla and His beloved Rasûl sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.

Sha'ban: Merits, Do's, and Dont's

By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan.