How many sacred months are there? / Why Ramadan is not one of the four sacred months?

How many sacred months are there? / Why Ramadan is not one of the four sacred months?

9:36 Indeed, the number of months (l-shuhuri) with Allah is twelve months (shahran) in the ordinance of Allah from the Day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the upright religion, so do not wrong yourselves therein. And fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together. And know that Allah is with the righteous.

5:2 O you who believe, do not violate the rites of Allah, and not the sacred month (l-shahra) and not the sacrificial animals and not the garlanded and not (those) coming to the Sacred House seeking Bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. And when you come out of Ihram then (you may) hunt. And do not let the hatred of the people who stopped you from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam incite you that you commit transgression. And help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.

(“Shahr” means “month”, it can also denote “months” depending on its grammatical construction and context. The Verses of the Qur’an complement each other, it is known that there are four sacred months (9:36), so “sacred month”, in Verse 5:2, is generic, so it can be “any” month of the four months that are sacred)(So, this Verse does not stipulate or imply that there is only one month which is sacred by using the genitive noun “shahr”, however, “shuhur / ash’har” (months) stipulate that the sacred months are plural)(There are other generic words in the Qur’an, for example, “the Garden” (Paradise) is comprised by “gardens” (18:107, 57:21); “Heaven” includes the seven heavens (57:21, 22:70); “earth” is matter in the universe, according to the context (41:11, 3:133), etc.)(Allah knows best)

2:194 The sacred month (al-shahru) is for the sacred month (bil-shahri), and for violations there is legal retribution. Then whoever transgressed against you, then you transgress against him in the same manner as he transgressed against you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear. 2:195 And spend in the way of Allah and let not your own hands throw yourselves into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the good-doers. 2:196 And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah . But if you are prevented, then what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head then a ransom of fasting or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs Umrah followed by Hajj, then what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned. Those are ten complete. This is for those whose family is not present in al-Masjid al-haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty. 2:197 For Hajj there are months (ashhurun) well known, then whoever undertakes therein the Hajj, then no sexual relations nor wickedness, nor quarrelling during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provision, indeed, the best provision is righteousness. And fear Me, O men of understanding

(In regard to why Ramadan is not one of the four sacred months, the root of “l-harama / hurumun” (sacred) is “Ha-Ra-Miim”, and it means “to forbid / prevent / prohibit, make or declare unlawful, etc”. People should fast in the month of Ramadhan, but eating and drinking is not forbidden, because you can do it at night, or during the day if you are ill or on a journey (2:185), and you can also approach your wives at night, so everything is not “forbidden” in the month of Ramadhan)(Allah knows best)

2:185 The month of Ramadhan is that in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever witnesses among you the month, then he should fast in it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then the prescribed number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and that you complete the period and to magnify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and that you may be grateful. … 2:187 It is permitted for you in the nights of fasting to approach to your wives. They are your garments and you are their garments. Allah Knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned towards you and He forgave you. So now have relations with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you. And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of dawn. Then complete the fast till the night. And do not have relations with them while you are secluded in the masajid. These are the limits (set by) Allah, so do not approach them. Thus Allah makes clear His verses for the people, so that they may become righteous.

(It is said that it would not be possible to know which are the four sacred months without referencing sources other than the Qur’an. The four months officially are: Rajab (7), and the three consecutive months of Dhu al-Qa’dah (11), Dhu al-Hijjah (12) and Muharram (1). But some people say that it is possible to know the four sacred months in the Qur’an, but they say that the four months are not the “official” four months, so it would cause the community to differ)(Some people say that the four sacred months are consecutive, because Verses 9:1-2, 5 say, “Freedom from obligations from Allah and His Messenger to those (with) whom you made a treaty from the polytheists. So move about in the land (during) four months but know that you (can) not escape Allah and that Allah (is) the One Who (will) disgrace the disbelievers … Then, when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them …”. So, according to these Verses, some people interpret that the sacred months are “Dhu al-Hijjah (12), Muharram (1), “Safar” (2) and “Rabi’ al-awwal” (3), because if they were not consecutive, then the sacred months would never “pass” all together)(They also interpret that Hajj / Pilgrimage is to be done within these four consecutive months. This interpretation could be confirmed by Verse 2:197 “For Hajj there are months (ashhurun) well known, then whoever undertakes therein the Hajj, then no sexual relations nor wickedness, nor quarreling during Hajj”. So, the Verse says that Hajj are “months” (in plural), not “month”. And it is interpreted that the prohibition of sexual relations (2:197), etc., is when someone “undertakes therein the Hajj” (2:197), not the whole four months for each single person. That’s what could make these four months different from other months)(In regard to the sentence “then, when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them” (9:5); the whole community is involved, so it is to be done when the sacred months have passed (Note: fighting is in the context of self-defense and against oppression, in the entire Qur’an))(Allah knows best)

2:217 They ask you about fighting in the sacred month (l-shahri). Say, "Fighting therein is a great (sin); but hindering from the way of Allah, and disbelief in Him and (preventing access to) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, and driving out its people from it is greater (sin) near Allah. And oppression is greater than killing." And they will not cease to fight with you until they turn you away from your religion, if they are able. And whoever among you turns away from his religion, then dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds became worthless in the world and the Hereafter. And those are the companions of the Fire, they (will) abide in it forever.

9:2 So move about in the land (during) four months but know that you (can) not escape Allah and that Allah (is) the One Who (will) disgrace the disbelievers. 9:3 And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater Pilgrimage that Allah is free from obligations to the polytheists, and (so is) His Messenger. So if you repent, then, it is best for you. But if you turn away, then know that you (can)not escape Allah. And give glad tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment. 9:4 Except those (with) whom you have a treaty among the polytheists, then they have not failed you (in any)thing and they have not supported anyone against you, so fulfil [to them] their treaty (un)till their term. 9:5 Then, when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and seize them and besiege them and sit (in wait) for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent and establish prayer and give the zakah, then leave their way. Indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(These Verses might suggest that the four sacred months are consecutive)(Allah knows best)

See also: Is there any contradiction in the Qur'an? (8) (Muslims)

http://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2016/05/are-muslims-leaving-islam-are-they-fake.html

See also: Is there any contradiction in the Qur'an? (0) (Index)

https://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2017/03/refutation-of-so-called-internal.html

See also: Root Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an (Index)

http://qdvbp.blogspot.com/2018/10/index-root-dictionary-of-holy-quran.html