The Quran informs us that according to God, there are twelve months, four of which are sacred.
9:36 The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve. This has been GOD’s law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous.
The next verse informs us that the mixing or altering ( النَّسِيءُ) of the sacred months in any way is a sign of excessive disbelief.
9:37 Altering the Sacred Months is a sign of excessive disbelief; it augments the straying of those who have disbelieved. They alternate the Sacred Months and the regular months, while preserving the number of months consecrated by GOD. They thus violate what GOD has consecrated. Their evil works are adorned in their eyes. GOD does not guide the disbelieving people.
Additionally, knowing the proper Sacred Months is essential because God informs us that Hajj is to be observed during these four months.
2:197 Hajj shall be observed in the specified months. Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence.
According to Hadith, the months of Hajj and the Sacred Months are two separate periods, but the above verse informs us that the months of Hajj are “specified” ( مَعْلُومَاتٌ). Therefore, it doesn’t make sense that Hajj is a different group of months from the Sacred Months specified in the Quran.
Traditionalists make the following false claims regarding the Months of Hajj and the Sacred Months.
The Sacred Months are four: Thul-Qi‘dah (11), Thul-Hijjah (12), Muharram (1), and Rajab (7).
The months of Hajj, on the other hand, are two months and ten days: Shawwaal (10), Thul-Qi‘dah (11), and the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah (12).
Two sacred months Muharram (1) and Rajab (7), have nothing to do with the months of Hajj.
Muḥarram (Sacred)
Ṣafar
Rabīʿ al-Awwal (Rabi I)
Rabīʿ al-Thānī (Rabi II)
Jumādā al-Awwal
Jumādā al-Thānī
Rajab (Sacred)
Shaʿbān
Ramaḍān
Shawwāl (Hajj)
Dhū al-Qaʿdah (Hajj & Sacred)
Dhū al-Ḥijjah (Hajj & Sacred)
Traditional sources state that the four Sacred Months are Rajab (7), Zul-Qe`dah (11), Zul-Hijjah (12), and Muharram (1). While this adds up to four months, these months are not consecutive.
However, if we look at the verses of the Quran, we see that the four Sacred Months not only correspond with the months of Hajj but starts with Hajj and are consecutive. This finding can be deduced from the first five verses of Sura 9.
The second verse of Sura 9 tells the disbelievers to roam the earth for four months, corresponding to the four Sacred Months (9:5). It would not make sense for the idol worshipers to roam the earth for the 7th month and then come back and roam the 11th through the 1st month of the Islamic calendar. Instead, these verses make it clear that the Sacred months are consecutive.
9:1 An ultimatum is herein issued from GOD and His messenger to the idol worshipers who enter into a treaty with you.
Verse three informs us that this proclimation occured during Hajj. This means that the Four Sacred months must be not only consecutive, but begins with Hajj, as this is when the proclimation was first made.
9:3 A proclamation is herein issued from GOD and His messenger to all the people on the great day of pilgrimage, that GOD has disowned the idol worshipers, and so did His messenger. Thus, if you repent, it would be better for you. But if you turn away, then know that you can never escape from GOD. Promise those who disbelieve a painful retribution.
Verse five further confirms that these four months are specifically about the Sacred Months. This indicates that the months of Hajj and the Sacred Months are the same.
9:5 Once the Sacred Months are past, (and they refuse to make peace) you may kill the idol worshipers when you encounter them, punish them, and resist every move they make. If they repent and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), you shall let them go. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Additionally, if we look at the Islamic calendar, we see that the 12th month is called Ḏū al-Ḥijjah ( ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة). This is the first of the Sacred Months and marks the start of Hajj. Therefore, the Sacred Months are the 12th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of the Islamic calendar.
Muḥarram
Ṣafar
Rabīʿ al-Awwal (Rabi I)
Rabīʿ al-Thānī (Rabi II)
Jumādā al-Awwal
Jumādā al-Thānī
Rajab
Shaʿbān
Ramaḍān
Shawwāl
Dhū al-Qaʿdah
Dhū al-Ḥijjah
Even Sunnis claim the Prophet and his companions are reported to have performed Hajj during Dhū al-Ḥijjah, and the proclamation was made on the Great Day of Pilgrimage (9:3). This means the proclamation took place in Dhū al-Ḥijjah. Since the months must be consecutive (9:2) and are identified as the Sacred Months (9:5), it follows logically that these months correspond to the 12th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of the Islamic calendar.
Additionally, we see that the Islamic calendar has two months called Rabīʿ. These are the third and fourth months of the Islamic calendar and are called Rabīʿ al-Awwal (Rabi 1) and Rabīʿ al-Thānī (Rabi 2), respectively. The word Rabi in Classical Arabic means fourth or one-fourth. It is understandable why the fourth month of the Islamic calendar would be called the fourth (Rabi), but why would the third month of the Islamic calendar also be called the fourth (Rabi)? This is because Rabīʿ al-Awwal (Rabi 1) is the fourth sacred month.
Therefore, Hajj can be observed anytime during the Sacred Months: Dhū al-Ḥijjah (12), Muharram (1), Safar (2), and Rabi I (3). Unfortunately, local governments restrict Hajj to a few days for their own convenience, thus further showing signs of their excess disbelief per 9:37.