The Origin of Naming
The word “Shafar” in Arabic means ’empty’. The Arabs dubbed the “zero number” as “shifrun”. They called an empty house (that being left by its residents) with “ashfarat ad-dar” (an empty house). In this month, the ignorants started to begin their far-travelled journey in order to make war, after it was banned during the month of Muharram. (See: www.ahlalhdeeth.com).
The People of Ignorance and Month of Shafar
The people of ignorance often made the month of Shafar as the replacement of Muharram. If they were forced to make war during Muharram, they would replace its sacredness – since they made war in it – with Shafar, and this habit was named “an-nasi'” (postponing). (See: Al-Qamus Al-Fiqh, page. 351)
Allah reprobated their attitude, as mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah declared (which can be translated as), “The intercalation (of sacred months) is an act of gross infidelity which causes the unbelievers to be led further astray. They declare a month to be lawful in one year and forbidden in another year in order that they may conform to the number of months that Allah has declared as sacred, and at the same time make lawful what Allah has forbidden.” (QS. At-Taubah/The Repentance :37)
The people of ignorance also considered this month as the month of bad luck. They didn’t dare to hold an important event or travel far during this month. When Islam came, the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- erased such belief.
The valid hadith regarding Shafar
From Abu Huraira, -may Allah be pleased with him-, that the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said, “There is no communicable disease, no shafar, and no hammah.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
From Ibn Mas’ud -may Allah be pleased with him-, the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said, “There is communicable disease, no shafar. Allah has created everything and Allah has ordained its age, sustenance, and calamity.” (Narrated by Ahmad and At Turmudzi; classed valid by Al Albani).
Notes:
Scholars’ Dispute regarding the Meaning of the word “Shafar” in the hadith
First: The meaning of “shafar” in the hadith above is ” a disease that damage the stomach, its form is like a worm.” According to the Arabs, this disease was far worse than scabies. They believed that whoever got this disease, would surely die immediately. As for the relation with the meaning of hadith “there is no shafar” is that the hadith denied the beliefs of ignorants that every one who contracted the shafar disease would certainly die.
Second: The meaning of “shafar” in the hadith above is the month of Shafar (the second month according to the moon calendar). The scholars who opted for this meaning held different opinions regarding the meaning of “there is no shafar.”
– They said that it means that the people of ignorance were forbidden to make war during the “haram months”, which one of it was the month of Muharram. But if the war wasn’t ended at the time the new moon of Muharram rose, they made their own rule by keep continued the war and postponed the prohibition of war, removed it to the month of Shafar. Then, the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- erased this rule about postponement. This was the opinion of Imam Malik Ibn Anas -may Allah have mercy on him-.
– They said that the people of ignorance believed about the bad luck of the month of Shafar. Then, the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- erased this belief. This was the opinion that was strengthened by Ibn Rajab.
The Weak Hadith regarding Shafar
“Whoever convey to me a glad tiding about the coming of month Shafar, I’ll give him the glad tiding of Paradise.” (A false hadith, as explained by Ash Shaukani, in “Al-Fawaid Al-Majmu’ah”, page. 215)
Righteous Deeds in the Month of Shafar
There is no special deed related to the month of Shafar. The suggested deeds are just the ones that usually performed in every month, such as three day fasting in every month. From Abu Huraira -may Allah be pleased with him-, he said, “My beloved (the Messenger of Allah) -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- left a message of three things; performing three days of fasting in every month, (performing) two rak’ahs of dhuha prayer, and (performing) the witr prayer before sleeping.” (Narrated by Bukhari).
Innovations performed during the Month of Shafar
People who got the disease of thiyarah in their hearts should strive to reject and ignore it, by relying themselves on Allah. If they don’t, they will fall into the minor shirk. Ibn Mas’ud said, “None of us (the companions) was saved from the having the disease of thiyarah (in his heart). But Allah eliminated it with resignation.” (Narrated by Abu Daud, and At Turmudzi; classed valid by Al Albani).
Whoever feels that he gets bad luck due to certain day or month, and that belief caused him to cancel his activities, that means that he has fallen into committing shirk. It is suggested for him to repent and redeem it, by praying. The Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said, “Whoever cancels his activity due to thiyarah, it means that he has committed shirk. To redeem it is by reciting,
اللَّهُمَّ لاَ خَيْرَ إِلاَّ خَيْرُكَ، وَلاَ طِيَرَ إِلاَّ طِيَرُكَ، وَ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيرُكَ
“O Allah, there is no goodness but goodness from You, there is no bad luck but the one that You’ve ordained, and there are none that has the right to be worshipped but You.” (Narrated by Ahmad; classed valid by Al Albani).