In short: The month of Safar is not unlucky. The Prophet ﷺ rejected the idea of bad omens, and Safar is a normal month in which good deeds are rewarded like any other.
The month of Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar, following Muharram. In 1448 it is expected to begin around the middle of July 2026. For a long time, and in many cultures, people have treated Safar as a month of bad luck. Some delay weddings, avoid travel or postpone starting a business until it has passed. Islam came to remove exactly this kind of fear.
Why the month of Safar was feared
Before Islam, the Arabs of Jahiliyyah believed Safar brought misfortune. They also read omens in the flight of birds and believed certain illnesses passed by themselves without the will of Allah. These ideas spread and, sadly, some of them survive among Muslims today.
What the Prophet ﷺ taught
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no contagion (without Allah’s will), no bad omen, no hamah and no Safar,” as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. The scholars explain that this hadith cancels the belief that a month, a bird or an event can bring harm by itself. Good and bad come only by the decree of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ liked good omens, such as a pleasant word, because they encourage hope and trust in Allah. Bad omens do the opposite. They fill the heart with fear and weaken our reliance on our Lord.
Important events in Safar
Far from being a cursed month, Safar has seen great moments in our history. Many historians record that the Prophet ﷺ began his journey of Hijrah towards the end of Safar, the journey that changed the course of the Ummah forever.
Good deeds for this month
- Keep up your voluntary fasts on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Go ahead with weddings, travel and business plans, trusting in Allah.
- Give charity regularly, not out of fear, but out of gratitude.
- Teach your family what the Sunnah says about omens so the myth ends with us.
Charity protects, but not from a month
Some people give charity in Safar to “ward off” its bad luck. Giving is always good, and the Prophet ﷺ taught that charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire, as reported by at-Tirmidhi. The intention, though, should be to please Allah, not to protect ourselves from a month He created.
Give with Hope, Not Fear
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it unlucky to get married in Safar?
No. There is no basis in the Quran or Sunnah for avoiding marriage in Safar. It is permissible and can be just as blessed as any other month.
Are there special prayers for Safar?
There are no specific prayers established in the Sunnah for this month. Regular worship, du’a and charity are all encouraged.
When does Safar 1448 begin?
It is expected to begin around mid July 2026, depending on the moon sighting.