The Exalted said: {Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion [Al-Din al-Qayyim], so do not wrong yourselves during them} (At-Tawbah 36).

The twelve months are the nine sons of Abd al-Muttalib as we mentioned, and three who are the sons of the Master Messenger.

It was also said: rather, they are the names of the Houses which are the Stations [Maqamat].

The people of the Outward [Ahl al-Zahir] narrated concerning them: that the Sacred Months are the four Alids; while in the narration of the people of the Inward [Ahl al-Batin], they are the four Muhammads—{so do not wrong yourselves during them} (At-Tawbah 36)—lest you say: they are separate jewels, each jewel being separate in its quality.

It was also narrated in the compositions of the predecessors that His saying: {twelve months} is an indication of the Gates [Abwab]. This was narrated by Abu al-Qasim ibn Daqqa in his composition. As for what was mentioned first, it is the narration of the Master al-Khasibi (may Allah ennoble his station).