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Origin of the word "Ramadan" and the 4 sacred months

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Heba E. Husseyn
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« on: August 12, 2010, 09:04:48 pm »



BismEm


Ramadan:

As we all know that the month of fasting, Ramadan, is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. 

The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word Ramida which denotes a drought-like condition of the weather, that is, intense heat and dryness of ground probably pertaining to difficult farming conditions due to lack of rainfall.   

Why the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar was named "Ramadan" is not clearly known.

Prior to Islam, the people of the Arabian peninsula followed a calendar that was a mix of lunar and solar calendars.  The Noble Quran as well as the study of history have confirmed that the pagan Arabs used to insert extra months in their calendar every year for various purposes of convenience.  This insertion of additional month or months was known as intercalation.  The pre-Islamic Bedouins referred to this intercalation as kabisa.  Also, according to some analysts, the Arabs had two calendars: one was with intercalation, the other without it. The custom of kabisa or intercalation was prevalent among the Bedouins but not among the towns people.  The system of intercalation has been plainly condemned by the Noble Quran because the pagan used this system also to allow unlawful acts like pre-emptive war.  Thus, Allah says in the Quran: "Postponement (of a sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden. The evil of their deeds is made fairseeming unto them. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk."  9:37

It appears that a system or intercalation was accepted over the whole Peninsula in pre-Islamic days. The time of the annual pilgrimage was coordinated by this generally accepted practice, sometimes according to the lunar calendar and sometimes according to the lunar-solar calendar.  Originally, the year of the Elephant (570 CE) was used by the Arabs for counting the first year of their era.  Afterwards, the lunar calendar of the Muslims began with the Hijra of the Prophet (622 CE). The previous lunar calendar of the Arabs was totally abrogated in the 10th year of the Hijra on the occasion of the Prophet's address at the Hajjat al-Wada' . The strictly lunar calendar became accepted, and it didn’t allow for any addition or modification.  Thus, preceding Verse 9:37, Allah Almighty confirms that there are only 12 months in the calendar, which later became the lunar Islamic calendar with 12 months.  "Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them."  9:36

But we do know that names of lunar months in pre-Islamic or Jahili calendar were totally different from the Hijrah months.  It's also likely that some names of Jahili months were borrowed from the Jewish calendar.  The names of Islamic months compared to the Jahili names can be found in this Wikipedia link.   The Jahili name for the month of Ramadan was 'natiq.'  it's likely that according to the use of the solar calendar, this month came about in the hot summer season and thus getting its name meaning "intense or scorching heat and arid ground."  These were much the conditions of farmlands in the Arabian peninsula during those times.  But I repeat, this is only a presumption.  Only Allah Almighty knows the actual reason how the 9th month came to be called "Ramadan."  We do know for sure that Allah Almighty began the revelation of the Most Noble Quran, His Final Message, on this 9th month of Ramadan as He has mentioned in the Quran. 

“(It is) the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for mankind, clear proofs giving guidance, and the Criterion (for distinguishing right and wrong). So whoever of you witnesses this month, let him fast it.” [2:185]


4 Sacred Months:

For immediate reference, the 12 Islamic months of the lunar calendar are as follows:

1)  Muharram ul Haram (or shortened to Muharram) محرّم
2)  Safar صفر
3)  Rabi`-ul-Awwal (Rabi' I) ربيع الأول
4)  Rabi`-ul-Akhir (or Rabi` al-Tיhaany) (Rabi' II) ربيع الآخر أو ربيع الثاني
5)  Jumaada-ul-Awwal (Jumaada I) جمادى الأول
6)  Jumaada-ul-Akhir (or Jumaada al-Thaany) (Jumaada II) جمادى الآخر أو جمادى الثاني
7)  Rajab رجب
8)  Sha'aban شعبان
9)  Ramadhan رمضان
10) Shawwal شوّال
11) Dhul Qadah (or Thou al-Qi`dah) ذو القعدة
12) Dhul Hijja (or Thou al-Hijjah) ذو الحجة

Ramadan can certainly be taken as the favored month of the year as it is the month of the Noble Quran. 

Four of the twelve Hijri months are considered sacred: Rajab (7th month), and the three consecutive months of Dhū al-Qa'dah (11th month), Dhu al-Ḥijjah (12month) and Muḥarram (1st month of the Hijri calendar).  This is the traditional opinion.  But there are some differences between the traditionalists & modernists on this aspect which we will discuss in a while.

As for the precise origin of the sacred months, why these 4 months were chosen as sacred which mainly denoted abstinence from violence, is not known.  It's possible that the practice of refraining from wars on certain months existed in Arabia since long, may have even existed in some ways since the time of Prophet Abraham (pbuh).  Allah knows best.

However, from the Quran we do know that even until the time of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), pagans were inclined to postponing a sacred month for the purpose of waging war in it and making it up by using another month for peace.  Not just that, but we also know that during the time of the Prophet (pbuh), the commandment of the 4 sacred months came directly from the Noble Quran as the Decision of Allah Almighty Himself.  Reference V.9:36 and 9:37 as follows:-

"Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them"  (9:36)

"Postponement (of a sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden."  (9:37).

The Quran does not mention the names of these 4 months.  Only Allah would have the final say on that.   According to some modernist commentators, a careful study of the Quran reveals that the 4 sacred months should be Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi.  They claim that "according to the Quran, 4 months were designated ‘sacred’ on the day of the great pilgrimage (Hajj) in succession."  This obviously refers to the month of Dhul-Hijja as the name suggests; and thus the 4 successive months  would be Dhul-Hijja, Muharram, Safar and Rabi al-Awal.  But they have not quoted any Quranic Verse confirming that the designation of 4 sacred months was on the day of Hajj.  The complete set of Quranic Verses that provide information on the total number of months, the sacred months and the Divine Order not to wage war on sacred months consist of Verses 9:36, 9:37, 9:5, 9:2 and 2:194.  Neither of these Verses convey the information that Allah's Decision of the successive sacred months was made on the day of greater pilgrimage or Hajj.  Also, as stated, the Quran does not mention the names of the 4 sacred months.  In other words, since there is no evidence to suggest that the 4 sacred months were designated on the day of the greater pilgrimage, thus there's no way to confirm the names of the successive sacred months.  Moreover, the Quran apparently refers to the cycle of time-period from the beginning of times, and thus the Quran does not mention the names of any months because names of months have been different in different communities around the world at different times of history.  Not just that, but with the cycle of cultural innovation, those names also kept changing.  Thus we return to the our initial point that there is no Quranic confirmation giving credence to the traditional opinion over the modernist or vice-versa.  We only know that there were 4 months that were sacred in Arabia until the time of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) when war, violence and wrong doing was specifically forbidden, (this does NOT imply that wrong doing was allowed in other months) and the idolaters often violated this rule.


Our continued and final disucssion on four "sacred" months and Hajj in our Hajj thread, click this link.
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Zainab_M
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« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2010, 04:13:24 am »

Thank u for this very good explanation, sister Heba.  Actually just a couple of days ago a relative of mine asked me this question that why does the month of Ramadan mean "intense heat."  I've also read in a few Muslim sites that most likely the name of the 9th month, that is, Ramadan was there prior to Islam.  You are right.  I also think the term 'Ramadan' denotes the summer weather of the Arabian peninsula and that this month was fixed in pre-Islamic era based on the usage of the solar calendar. 

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« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2010, 04:24:56 am »

yeah, this is a very nice article and logically analysed.  I read it yesterday very attentively but didn't have the time to write a comment. 

Some Muslim writers try to interpret the term 'Ramadan' according to the post-Islamic era by linking it to fasting only.  I quote what I read in one of the sites sometime ago, explaining why the term 'Ramadan' means "scorching heat."

Quote
Ramadan refers to the hot, dry sensation of thirst during this month of fasting.
Ramadan scorches out evil like the sun scorches the earth.
Just as heat shapes and influences all matter — organic and inorganic — so does Ramadan shape and influence the believer.
This relates to the daytime fasting that Muslims are expected to perform during Ramadan.
Unquote

I don't agree with the above explanation.  Whoever wrote this didn't take into consideration that Ramadan and every month of the Islamic lunar calendar keeps rotation by 10 days every year.  As a result, Ramadan comes in winter months just as often as in summer months.

And regarding a different issue, that is, the great benefit of the Islamic lunar calendar -- The Islamic calendar being lunar instead of solar has great significance concerning the month of Ramadan. If the calendar used was solar, Muslims living in one hemisphere would have the advantage of fasting in cooler, shorter days, while those living in the other hemisphere would have to fast in the hot and longer days throughout their lifetime. With the lunar calendar, however, the seasons rotate every 32 or 33 years so that the difficulty or ease of fasting is equally shared by all Muslims around the world. This calendar also leads to the rotation of Hajj among the different seasons.
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« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2010, 07:39:17 pm »


Quote
Ramadan refers to the hot, dry sensation of thirst during this month of fasting.
Ramadan scorches out evil like the sun scorches the earth.
Just as heat shapes and influences all matter — organic and inorganic — so does Ramadan shape and influence the believer.
This relates to the daytime fasting that Muslims are expected to perform during Ramadan.
Unquote

I don't agree with the above explanation.  Whoever wrote this didn't take into consideration that Ramadan and every month of the Islamic lunar calendar keeps rotation by 10 days every year.  As a result, Ramadan comes in winter months just as often as in summer months.

But brother TS, these explanations of the word Ramadhan aren't all linked to the summer season.  Only the first one can be taken as a reference to summer heat.  The other two are comparisons of the principles of Ramadhan with heat, just as heat scroches out evil so does Ramadhan purge evil from the human nature .... right?  I think this makes sense.

And regarding a different issue, that is, the great benefit of the Islamic lunar calendar -- The Islamic calendar being lunar instead of solar has great significance concerning the month of Ramadan. If the calendar used was solar, Muslims living in one hemisphere would have the advantage of fasting in cooler, shorter days, while those living in the other hemisphere would have to fast in the hot and longer days throughout their lifetime. With the lunar calendar, however, the seasons rotate every 32 or 33 years so that the difficulty or ease of fasting is equally shared by all Muslims around the world. This calendar also leads to the rotation of Hajj among the different seasons.

Yeah, this is very correct.
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« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2010, 08:23:54 pm »


Quote
Ramadan refers to the hot, dry sensation of thirst during this month of fasting.
Ramadan scorches out evil like the sun scorches the earth.
Just as heat shapes and influences all matter — organic and inorganic — so does Ramadan shape and influence the believer.
This relates to the daytime fasting that Muslims are expected to perform during Ramadan.
Unquote

I don't agree with the above explanation.  Whoever wrote this didn't take into consideration that Ramadan and every month of the Islamic lunar calendar keeps rotation by 10 days every year.  As a result, Ramadan comes in winter months just as often as in summer months.

But brother TS, these explanations of the word Ramadhan aren't all linked to the summer season.  Only the first one can be taken as a reference to summer heat.  The other two are comparisons of the principles of Ramadhan with heat, just as heat scroches out evil so does Ramadhan purge evil from the human nature .... right?  I think this makes sense.


I get your point sister Ruhi.  You are right.  What brother TS meant was that all references are analogical with summer's heat whereas Ramadan comes in all seasons. 

However, the other point is, even if all of the above explanations on comparing Ramadan as purging evils like sun's heat scorches the earth is taken as correct, but then what about the standpoint of those Muslim researchers who have reasons to consider that the name 'Ramadhan' was given to the 9th month prior to the arrival of Islam?  So this brings up two possibilities as to why the 9th month came to be called 'Ramadan,' right?  Both are opinions and only Allah knows which one is right, or there might be yet another reason.  That's why in my view, I would simply say .. only Allah knows the ultimate fact best.
 
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« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2010, 02:27:39 am »

However, the other point is, even if all of the above explanations on comparing Ramadan as purging evils like sun's heat scorches the earth is taken as correct, but then what about the standpoint of those Muslim researchers who have reasons to consider that the name 'Ramadhan' was given to the 9th month prior to the arrival of Islam?  So this brings up two possibilities as to why the 9th month came to be called 'Ramadan,' right?  Both are opinions and only Allah knows which one is right, or there might be yet another reason.  That's why in my view, I would simply say .. only Allah knows the ultimate fact best.[/font] 

Undecided   .... hmmmm ,,  u got me right  Cool  I didn't think how to reconcile the two. 
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« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2010, 04:06:08 am »

OK ,, so now let's look at it this way. To begin with, it's almost unanimously agreed within the ulema circle that the names of all months had their origins prior to Islam.  And several of these months pertain to weather conditions.
 
For e.g.  Safar (2nd month of the calendar) means "whistling of the wind". When this name was assigned to this month, it was probably a windy time of the year.  Rabi-al-Awal (3rd month) means "first month of spring."  It seems it was springtime when the name was given.   Rabi-al-Thani (4th month) means "second month of spring."  Jumada-al-Awal (5th month) means "dry first month of summer."  Jumada-al-Thani (6th month) means "dry second month of summer."   
 
According to our ulemas themselves, all the above names of months existed prior to the Hijri calendar in Arabia.  They also agree that most of the months were named according to weather conditions at the time. However, since they are based on the moon, the months shift about 11 days every year. So, the seasons do not necessarily correspond to the name of the month anymore.  The pre-Islamic Arabs overlooked this issue or maybe these names were selected through the usage of a solar calendar.  Keeping in line with this historical background, it's quite obvious that the name "Ramadan" also existed prior to the Hijri calendar, referring to hot dry summer.   The explanations involving analogies as of  'Ramadan' as purging evil just as the heat of the sun scorches the earth have apparently propped up later. 
 
Also, it's necessary to be aware that the month of Ramadan (whatever  its origin) gets its importance in Islam because of the commencement of revelation of the Noble Quran.  In other words, Ramadan became a special month because of the start of the revelation of the Quran in that month.  Again, the reason why  Allah chose to reveal the Quran in Ramadan is only known to Him.  But our common sense tells us that Allah began revealing the Quran to the Prophet (SAAW) at a time when Allah knew that the Prophet was ready to handle this mission, which happened to be in the month of Ramadan. 
 
Furthermore, for information, the month of Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar existed prior to Islam.  The word "Muharram" means "Forbidden."  It was a sacred month where war was forbidden.  Same can be said about Rajab, Zil-Qada and Zil-Hajj.   These 4 months were considered sacred when war and all lewd acts were forbidden.   Most likely in Verse 9:36, the 4 sacred months refer to these months.  The history of how or why these 4 months became sacred is not known to me.  It's likely it started from the time of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and continued but was later corrupted by the pagans.  Only Allah Almighty knows best. 

For reference on the views of our mainstream scholars on origin of names of the months, check the following link:
http://www.isgr.org/islammonth.htm
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« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2010, 01:57:37 am »

Very educative, sis Heb.  You went about it very well.  It's pretty clear now. 



Also, it's necessary to be aware that the month of Ramadan (whatever  its origin) gets its importance because of the commencement of revelation of the Noble Quran, and not the other way round.  In other words, Ramadan became a special month because of the start of the revelation of the Quran in that month. 

Now, I would like to put a question on this.  I personally agree with it 100%.  I know that the month for revelation of the Quran (that is, Ramadan) wasn't a new month created by Allah to reveal the Quran.  Rather, it so happened that the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.  But if someone puts this question, that how do we know that Ramadan wasn't a new month for the revelation of the Quran, how would you respond to that?
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« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2010, 02:36:19 am »

If you like, I can take sis Ruhi's query ..
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« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2010, 03:43:03 am »

Aw!  sure dear sis Zeynab ..  However, no problem now.  I'm already here  Smiley

Salaams to all.  May Allah grant quick relief to our sisters and brothers who are suffering all around the world - Palestine, Kashmir, Pakistan, Southern Lebanon and all those Muslims unjustly imprisoned by America.  The extent of suffering in this world crushes my heart.  Wish I could do more.

Dear sister Ruhi, here's the response. 

First of all, I always start and end with "Allah knows best."  If I forget to mention it, it's taken for granted and is there in my heart.  Therefore, we can't be "sure" of anything for which no direct information is given in the Quran.  However, we can come to conclusions through references with relevant Quranic information that concern our issue or issues.  This involves analysing the various information which Allah Almighty has given us in His final Message to determine the truth of matters.  Sometimes our conclusions are confirmed based on Quranic contents and sometimes our conclusions remain as opinions. 

If anyone thinks or considers it a possibility that the month of Ramadan was a new month especially created or selected by Allah to reveal the Quran, that would mean a new month was inserted.  This refers to the intercalation system which the pre-Islamic Arabs practiced and which has been clearly condemned and disapproved by Allah in the Noble Quran in Verse 9:37 as quoted below. 

"Postponement (of a sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden. The evil of their deeds is made fairseeming unto them. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk."

As you would know, the pagan Arabs would permit war in an existing month when war was forbidden and in lieu of it, forbid it on another month inserted by them (presumably as month of peace).  In V. 9:37, Allah denounced that practice.   Hence, saying that Ramadan was a new month amounts to inserting an additonal month in the calendar which means contradicting the Quranic principle because the Quran has already rejected this system of insertion of additional months. 

Furthermore, in Verse 9:36 (quoted below) Allah has already confirmed that every year has 12 months out of which 4 are sacred.  This primarily means that war was not allowed on these 4 months.  As mentioned in my previous post, these 4 sacred months are taken to be Muharram, Rajab, Zil-Qada and Zil-Hajj by Quran interpreters.

"Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them."

Therefore, 12 months aleady existed, starting from Muharram and ending with Zil-Hajj with Ramadan as the 9th month.  So, how can anyone presume that Ramadan was a new month brought into effect when the Quran began being revealed?  It should be quite clear that Ramadan was already an existing month. 

Also, with reference to Quranic information and principles, our common sense would tell us that Allah was not looking for a specific month in connection with the Noble Quran.  Rather, Allah Almighty had selected the Prophet (SAW) as His special Messenger and Allah was inspiring the Prophet for the right time to start the revelation of the Quran.  Prior to the time when the first Quranic revelation came to the Prophet, he began getting reclusive and deeply thoughtful as he wanted to reflect and think about the Truth.  This state of the Prophet's mind went on for sometime until, one day, he beheld Angel Gabriel bringing to him the Message of Allah Almighty in the Cave of Hira.  This happened to be during the month of Ramadan, a pre-existing month apparently. 

And only Allah Almighty knows best.

Hope I've clarified the matter. 
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« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2010, 03:42:43 am »

JazekAllah khair.  Helpful!  Thanks to all.

Also, can anyone please throw some light on the history of the 4 sacred months - Muharram, Rajab, Zil-Qada and Zil-Hajj.  How did they come to be sacred?



P.S.  O! okay .... thanks for the later addition on details of the 4 sacred months.  That's clear to me.  Very efficiently researched Sis Heba.
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« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2010, 03:54:19 am »

Walaikum salam sisters.  Thanks sister Heba. 

And, Sster Ruhi, I think it would be right to say that the word Ramadan has 2 separate connotations, pre and post Islamic.  In pre-Islamic days it was purely associated with the season.  Obviously the name was chosen by the pre-Islamic Arabs at a time when it was summer and the farmlands turned arid.  So they chose the name 'Ramadan.'  As sister Heba stated, they apparently overlooked that a lunar calendar shifts 11 days ahead each year.  They overlooked this issue because of their lack of education and study of it.  But in post-Islamic era the trend and rules of the lunar calendar were well understood and established.  And since the Glorious Quran began being revealed in 'Ramadan,' it seemed more appropriate to our scholars to give a new connotation to the meaning of the word 'Ramadan' - a connotation that defines the benefits of fasting. 

Btw many thanks Sister Heba on the very useful read on 4 sacred months you later added.  That told me much I hadn't figured out earlier.
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« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2010, 04:15:33 am »


The custom of kabisa or intercalation was prevalent among the Bedouins but not among the towns people.  The system of intercalation has been plainly condemned by the Noble Quran because the pagan used this system also to allow unlawful acts like pre-emptive war.  Thus, Allah says in the Quran: "Postponement (of a sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden. The evil of their deeds is made fairseeming unto them. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk."  9:37

I would like to briefly comment on the above.  It's possible as sister Heba suggested that the above Verse 9:37 can refer to the intercalation system of inserting months, but more likely it means inter-changing the serial order of months.  The disbelievers of pagan Arabia used to postpone and re-arrange the sacred months for ulterior motives. For example, when they wanted to attack the Muslims during the first month of the calendar on Muharram, they would declare Muharram to be Safar, announcing to the people that for that particular year Muharram will follow Safar rather than come before it. In this manner, they would alter the sequence of the sacred months and thus alter the serial arrangement of the calendar as well.

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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2010, 04:23:26 am »

Welcomed sis ruhi and br. ts .......




I would like to briefly comment on the above.  It's possible as sister Heba suggested that the above Verse 9:37 can refer to the intercalation system of inserting months, but more likely it means inter-changing the serial order of months.  The disbelievers of pagan Arabia used to postpone and re-arrange the sacred months for ulterior motives. For example, when they wanted to attack the Muslims during the first month of the calendar on Muharram, they would declare Muharram to be Safar, announcing to the people that for that particular year Muharram will follow Safar rather than come before it. In this manner, they would alter the sequence of the sacred months and thus alter the serial arrangement of the calendar as well.

Many thanks for pointing this out Sister Zeynab.  I read this post in the morning and did some research.  You are right.  Actually, some translaters and tafsir writers mistakenly interpret this verse as referring to intercalation.  Intercalation means inserting a new month in the calendar.  But V.9:37 refers to the delaying/switching of holy months, not to intercalation.  Though a particular month can also be delayed by inserting a new month in its place, you are right, the pagans use to switch the sacred month when war was forbidden with another month when war was not forbidden and thus change their sequence in the calendar for selfish motives. 

From this we conclude that though the pagans might have also had the intercalation system, evidently the Quran does not refer to any intercalary month rather it refers to switching of sacred month with a regular month.

Btw, the present Christian calendar has an intercalary month, that is, a leap year when February has 29 days instead of 28 every 4 years. 

I'll put a correction note on my previous post.  Thanks again sis.   
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« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2010, 04:40:59 am »

Correct sister Heba.  The system of kabisa or intercalation did prevail in pagan Arabia, and I've also read that it was mainly prevalent among the Bedouins and not the townspeople as you've stated.  However, the Noble Quran in V.9:37 refers to the switching of months, that is, switching a sacred month with another month which wasn't considered sacred and allowed war which the pagans did to suit their whims and personal desires. 

And you are right, many people mix up between intercalation and the practice of switching of months. 
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