Since we are now in cooler weather, I thought I would share a benefit regarding the different seasons

How Many Seasons are There?

Some Scholars said that there are only two seasons: Summer and Winter

Imam al-Qurtubi rahimahullah wrote:

“Second: the statement of Malik that half the year is winter and the other half is summer…third: the people say that the year is divided into four categories: winter, spring, summer, autumn. Other people say: it is winter, summer, Qaydh (which means the core/essecne of summer) and autumn. That which Malik said is more correct because Allah divided the year into two parts and He did not mention a third”

[Tafisr al-Qurtubi (21/505-507)]

Other Scholars mention four seasons

Muhammad Ibn Kunaasah, who died 207 Hijiri, said there are four seasons according the ‘Arab

[See: Lisaan al-‘Arab (8/316)]

Hafidh Ibn Rajab rahimahullah clearly mentions three seasons (spring, summer, and winter) in Lataaif al-Ma’aarif (305-334)

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim rahimhullah mentions all four seasons in Miftaah Dar as-Sa’aadah (pg. 592-594)

What is the Benefit in the Change of Seasons?

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullah said:

“If the year was one season, the benefits of the remaining seasons will be lost. If the year was all summer, the benefit of winter will be lost. If the year was all winter, the benefit of summer will be lost. Likewise if the year was all spring or autumn” [Miftaah Dar as-Sa’aadah (pg. 592-593)]

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullah then mentions the various benefits of the different seasons

The Purest Season

Hafdih Ibn Hajr rahimahullah said commenting on the following the Hadith:

Abu Sa`id (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.”

[Bukhari no. 2840]

“(الخريف) autumn is a time that is well-known in the year. The intent here is general and autumn is mentioned specifically unlike the remaining seasons – summer, winter, and spring – because autumn is the most pure of the seasons due to fruits being harvested during [that time]”

[Fathul-Bari (6/57)]

And Allah Knows Best

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan