The Forbidden Months

LESSON # 212 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

The Forbidden Months

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –194a of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you.

‘Ash-Shahrul-Haraamu  bish-Shahril-Haraami  wal-hurumaatu  qisaas.  Famani’-tadaa  ‘alaykum  fa’-taduu  ‘alayhi  bi-misli  ma’-tadaa  ‘alaykum.

Lesson

‘Ash-Shahrul-Haraamu – (The forbidden month) during the time of ignorance different tribes of the Arab used to fight always but they had settled this matter that the war would have been stopped during the following four months and this period would be passed with peace and truce. Near to them these four months were very sacred and reverent. These four months are:

·       Muharram    -  first month of lunar calendar

·       Rajjab            -  seventh month of lunar calendar

·       Zii-Qa’dah         -  eleventh month of lunar calendar

·       Zul-Hajjah    -  twelfth month of lunar calendar

Descending situation (Shaani Nazuul) and historical background of this verse is told that the Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) set on toward Makkah for the purpose of pilgrimage (Umrah) with His some Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in the month of Zii-Qa’dah seventh Hirah calendar. But the Idolaters of Makkah became ready to fight against them. Moreover they began the archery and stoning. They didn’t care also this forbidden and sacred month. This verse indicates toward this month.

The God Almighty commands that dignity and respect of any month can remain still the time that the other party also respects and honors. If it is no so then there is not any base of any forbidden month. If the opposite party doesn’t refrain from war also during the forbidden month, then you should also attack them in like manner as they attacked you. If they have not respected either the forbidden month or the forbidden place, or the Muslims have been dressed with Determination (‘Ih-raam), even then you should be ready and carry your weapons.

Afterwards it has been proclaimed that if they have oppressed you not caring for all the forbidden matters then you should also reply them. Here the word a’-tadaa (attack him) has come because it is the usage in the Arabic language that which action requires punishment, the same word will be used for its punishment. That is to say ‘punish in answer and slaughter them’. It never aims that ‘you should oppress them also’.          

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif) (http://hltsharif.blogspot.com) (muhammadsharif276@gmail.com)