The Prophet (ﷺ) gave a sermon during his hajj and said: Time has completed a cycle and assumed the form of the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year contains twelve months of which four are sacred, three of them consecutive, viz. Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram and also Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumadah and Sha'ban.
The Rites of Hajj (Kitab Al-Manasik Wa'l-Hajj) - Sunan Abi Dawud 1947
This profound sermon delivered during the Farewell Pilgrimage establishes fundamental Islamic principles regarding time and sacred months. The Prophet (ﷺ) begins by declaring the completion of time's cycle, returning to its primordial state as when Allah created the heavens and earth, signifying the perfection of Islamic legislation.
Commentary on Sacred Months
The four sacred months (al-ashhur al-hurum) maintain their sanctity from pre-Islamic times, now purified through Islamic revelation. Three occur consecutively: Dhul-Qa'dah (month of rest), Dhul-Hijjah (month of pilgrimage), and Muharram (the sacred month).
Rajab of Mudar stands separately between Jumadah and Sha'ban, specifically attributed to the tribe of Mudar to distinguish it from other Rajab observances. During these months, fighting is prohibited except in self-defense, and righteous deeds carry greater reward.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the Islamic lunar calendar's integrity and confirms the continued sanctity of these months. It emphasizes Islam's connection to primordial monotheism while reforming pre-Islamic practices. The specification underscores the importance of pilgrimage timing and the preservation of sacred spaces and times.