Safar (month)

Safar is the second month of the Hijri calendar, a lunar calendar used throughout the Islamic world. It follows Muharram and precedes Rabi al-Awwal. Like other Hijri months, its length is either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon or astronomical calculation.

Because the lunar year is approximately 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Safar does not occur at a fixed time in the Gregorian calendar. Each year it occurs earlier than the previous year when aligned with the Gregorian calendar, meaning that over a period of years it rotates through all seasons.

Etymology and origin

The word "safar" derives from Arabic. Common interpretations in Arabic literary tradition connect it to meanings such as "empty" or "barren"—as when houses are empty as people go on travel—or to a season when tree leaves turn yellow. These are folk etymologies and are not conclusively established historically.

Position in the calendar

Safar is one of the twelve months of the Hijri calendar: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. Safar is not one of the four sacred months (Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah) during which warfare was customarily suspended among Arabs before Islam and at the beginning of Islam.

Cultural beliefs

Some Muslim communities hold a tradition of regarding Safar as a month lacking blessing, and people avoid marriage or travel during it. Many scholars consider this practice to lack sound basis, arguing that a month in itself does not bring bad fortune. On the other hand, Safar holds cultural significance in some places, with local commemorations tied to certain days of the month.