Chapter 1: The Sacred Months The Prophet said: ''The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: the three consecutive months of Dhu al-Qa''dah, Dhu al-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab - which comes between Jumada II and Sha''ban.'' (Bukhari) With a very specific type of sanctity in mind, we often default to Ramadan when thinking of the sacred months in our Islamic calendar. As the holiest and most virtuous month of the year, it''s understandable why Ramadan takes the forefront of consideration. However, the four sacred months mentioned by the Prophet as Dhu al-Qa''dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab also bare their own virtues, practices and significance that are important for us to consider and be aware of. Without knowing these sacred months by name, learning where they are positioned in the calendar and understanding their characteristics, we can often overlook their unique virtuous statuses. For example, when thinking of the month in which fasting is seen as the most virtuous act outside of Ramadan, most people would immediately think of Sha''ban or Shawwal and it''s six days. But the Prophet said that the most beneficial month of fasting, or the most beloved month of fasting, after Ramadan is Muharram - the month of Allah. Hence the importance of really getting to know these months and understanding what they represent.

Historical context The four sacred months were the months in which fighting and all forms of battle were prohibited, even to the pre-Islamic Arabs. The sacred months all possess special meanings, and their names typically relate to historic seasons of warfare, often referring to practices or events that would take place. Dhu al-Qa''dah means ''the month to sit'' where you essentially sit back - no fighting or warfare; Dhu al-Hijjah is the month in which Hajj take places, and there used to be a reiteration of Hajj even in the pre-Islamic days; Muharram means ''forbidden'' and marks the beginning of the year with an abstinence of warfare; and Rajab, which is the only month that does not come in succession, means ''to remove and refrain'' - so you would remove your weapons and refrain from fighting in the middle of the year. The successional separation of Rajab is beautifully described by Imam al-Shafi''i, who likened it to the positioning of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz to the rest of the khulufa'' al-rashideen (the righteous caliphs). Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, though he did not live immediately after Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, or succeed immediately after him, is still included amongst the khulufa'' al-rashideen despite his separation from them. Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs would shift the order of the sacred months around, repositioning them so that they could structure the year around their fighting. If they needed to change a month so that they could engage in battle or to afford themselves flexibility in certain times of the year, they wouldn''t hesitate to do so. Because of this, Allah fixed the order of all months and allocated special rules and virtues for each of them.

Upon reflection, we can see that there is much benefit and wisdom in the order that Allah chose for these months. Ramadan is succeeded by the six days of fasting in Shawwal. Immediately after this comes Dhu al-Qa''dah - a sacred month allowing you to prepare yourself for Hajj, which occurs in the next consecutive month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Dhu al-Hijjah contains an array of virtues in its first 10 days, the day of ''Arafah , Eid and much more, and is succeeded by Muharram - the best month to fast outside of Ramadan. The order of months gives you the opportunity to maintain your spiritual high, capitalizing on each unique virtue in quick succession. You finish the Islamic year strong in Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa''dah and Dhu al-Hijjah, and then you''re able to start the Islamic year strong with Muharram and sustain this with Rajab. Multiplied deeds Aside from the sanctity contained in their freedom from warfare, there are other more relevant practical considerations that the sacred months give rise to. In these months, good deeds are more beneficial and blessed, so Allah multiplies the rewards of any good deeds performed within them.

Parallel to this, sins are amplified or considered worse in these months, and this is according to a saying of al-Hafiz ibn Rajab (may Allah be pleased with him). He said: Be careful of the acts of disobedience because verily they forbid forgiveness in the seasons of mercy. So, just as committing a sin in prayer is worse than committing a sin outside of prayer, committing a sin within the sacred months is worse than at any other time of the year. Allah gives us seasons of mercy and forgiveness, and it is incumbent upon us to capitalize on these opportunities, making sure that we don''t do anything that will cause us to be deprived of these blessings and rewards. Dhu al-Hijjah stands as the most sacred of all the sacred months. The Prophet said in a Hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): ''No doubt your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this place of yours [Makkah]''. The Prophet told us that the most sacred day (Day of Arafah), and the most sacred month is Dhu al-Hijjah, and the most sacred place is al-masjid al-haram - the sanctified place. In order to reap the blessings and rewards of these sacred months and to avoid what is forbidden and disliked within them, it''s vital that we familiarize ourselves with the Islamic calendar.

With this intention, we ask Allah to allow us to achieve the benefit, mercy and forgiveness gifted within these months and allow us to abstain from sin throughout the entire year. Ameen.