please clarify for me
- Thread starter Robert
- Start date
muslimah-2k8
Junior Member
Crescent as Symbol?
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Taking the crescent as a symbol
What is the symbolism behind the Muslim star and crescent? I did a keyword search of your site and searched my library's reference books and cannot find anything more than a reference to the flag of the Ottoman Empire. Thank you for your interest.
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Praise be to Allaah.
There is no basis in sharee’ah for taking the crescent or star as a symbol of the Muslims. This was not known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or at the time of the Khulafa’ al-Raashidoon (the first four leaders of Islam after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or during the time of the Umawis (Umayyad dynasty). It emerged some time after that, and historians differ as to when this symbol was first adopted and who was the first to adopt it. Some say it was the Persians, others say it was the Greeks, and that this symbol was somehow passed to the Muslims. (See Al-Taraateeb al-Idaariyah by al-Kittaani, 1/320). It was said that the reason why the Muslims adopted the crescent was that when they conquered some western countries, the churches there had crosses on top of them, the Muslims replaced the crosses with these crescents, and the practice spread in this way. Whatever the case, symbols and banners must be in accordance with the teachings of Islam, and as there is no evidence that this symbol is prescribed by Islam, it is better not to use it. Neither the crescent nor the star are symbols of the Muslims, even though some Muslims may use them as symbols.
As regards what Muslims think about the moon and the stars, they believe that they are part of the creation of Allaah, and as such can neither benefit nor harm people, and they do not have any influence over events on earth. Allaah has created them for the benefit of mankind, an example of which is seen in the aayah or verse of the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning):
“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” [al-Baqarah 2:189]
[The commentator] Ibn Katheer said, explaining the phrase Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time: “From them (the new moons) they may know the times for repaying loans, the ‘iddah (waiting period) of their women [after being divorced or widowed] and the timing of their Hajj (pilgrimage)… Allaah has made them signs to mark the times when Muslims should start to fast and break their fast [the beginning and end of Ramadaan], to count the ‘iddah of their women and to know the times for repaying loans.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
[Another commentator] Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on this aayah [verse]: “This explains the wisdom behind the waxing and waning of the moon, which is to avoid any confusion in appointed dates, dealings, oaths, Hajj, ‘iddah, fasting, breaking fasts, length of pregnancy, rentals and other matters that concern mankind. Similar to this aayah are others (interpretation of the meanings):
‘And We have appointed the night and the day as two aayaat (signs). Then, We have made dark the sign of the night while We have made the sign of day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning…” [al-Isra’ 17:12]
‘It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning…’ [Yoonus 10:5]
Counting the new moons is easier than counting days.” (See Tafseer al-Qurtubi).
With regard to the stars, the scholars of Islam say that Allaah created these stars for three reasons: to adorn the heavens, to drive away the devils (shayaateen) and as signs for navigation. (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bad’ al-Khalq), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is He Who has set the stars for you, so that you may guide your course with their help through the darkness of the land and the sea…” [al-An’aam 6:97]
“And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the shayaateen (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.” [al-Mulk 67:5]
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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Islamic groups adopting a banner or symbol, and the ruling on using the crescent as a symbol
We want to form a Muslim group in a place where there are a lot of student groups in the university, including groups from other religions. We want to distinguish ourselves with something and to have a symbol, because symbols are important in distinguishing groups from one another, Can you advise us of a specific color or symbol that we can use for this Muslim students’ group?
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Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen, who replied as follows:
“If the Muslim students agree on something, this is OK, but if each Muslim group is adopting its own symbol, it is not right. The symbol or color that we recommend is bright green.”
Is there any daleel (evidence) for this color?
“No, but people like this color and in the Qur’aan it says (interpretation of the meanings): ‘Their garments will be of fine green silk’ [al-Insaan 76:21] and ‘Reclining on green cushions’ [al-Rahmaan 55:76].”
Is there any indication from the reports that the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had white and black banners that these colors are mustahabb in such cases?
“No, we cannot use these colors, because these were the banners in that time, and each era has things that are appropriate for it. But black now is one of the symbols of the Raafidah, as is well known.”
The crescent is commonly used as a symbol by Muslims to distinguish themselves from Christian groups who use the cross as a symbol. Is it permissible for us to use the crescent as a symbol in our publications and on our banners, to distinguish ourselves from other, non-Muslim groups?
“I do not think this is right, because the crescent was originally a symbol that was placed on graves that were worshipped instead of Allah. We read this in an answer given by some scholars and leaders of Daw’ah. But we could use a picture of the Ka’bah as a symbol, because it is the Qiblah of all Muslims.”
In some countries they put a crescent on Muslim places of worship to distinguish them from Christian places of worship, which have crosses on top of them. They do this so that people can tell them apart from a distance, because the architecture is often similar. Can we say that putting a crescent on the mosques or minarets of the Muslims is bid’ah?
“It is as you say (i.e., we can say that). It is sufficient for a mosque not to have a Christian symbol on it. Symbols may be something that is present, or something that is not present. If the Christians have a symbol, namely the cross, then the fact that the Muslims have no symbol is in itself a symbol. (i.e., we do not need to put anything).
And Allâh knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
********************************************************
*******************************************************
Taking the crescent as a symbol
What is the symbolism behind the Muslim star and crescent? I did a keyword search of your site and searched my library's reference books and cannot find anything more than a reference to the flag of the Ottoman Empire. Thank you for your interest.
********************************************************
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no basis in sharee’ah for taking the crescent or star as a symbol of the Muslims. This was not known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or at the time of the Khulafa’ al-Raashidoon (the first four leaders of Islam after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or during the time of the Umawis (Umayyad dynasty). It emerged some time after that, and historians differ as to when this symbol was first adopted and who was the first to adopt it. Some say it was the Persians, others say it was the Greeks, and that this symbol was somehow passed to the Muslims. (See Al-Taraateeb al-Idaariyah by al-Kittaani, 1/320). It was said that the reason why the Muslims adopted the crescent was that when they conquered some western countries, the churches there had crosses on top of them, the Muslims replaced the crosses with these crescents, and the practice spread in this way. Whatever the case, symbols and banners must be in accordance with the teachings of Islam, and as there is no evidence that this symbol is prescribed by Islam, it is better not to use it. Neither the crescent nor the star are symbols of the Muslims, even though some Muslims may use them as symbols.
As regards what Muslims think about the moon and the stars, they believe that they are part of the creation of Allaah, and as such can neither benefit nor harm people, and they do not have any influence over events on earth. Allaah has created them for the benefit of mankind, an example of which is seen in the aayah or verse of the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning):
“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” [al-Baqarah 2:189]
[The commentator] Ibn Katheer said, explaining the phrase Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time: “From them (the new moons) they may know the times for repaying loans, the ‘iddah (waiting period) of their women [after being divorced or widowed] and the timing of their Hajj (pilgrimage)… Allaah has made them signs to mark the times when Muslims should start to fast and break their fast [the beginning and end of Ramadaan], to count the ‘iddah of their women and to know the times for repaying loans.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
[Another commentator] Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on this aayah [verse]: “This explains the wisdom behind the waxing and waning of the moon, which is to avoid any confusion in appointed dates, dealings, oaths, Hajj, ‘iddah, fasting, breaking fasts, length of pregnancy, rentals and other matters that concern mankind. Similar to this aayah are others (interpretation of the meanings):
‘And We have appointed the night and the day as two aayaat (signs). Then, We have made dark the sign of the night while We have made the sign of day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning…” [al-Isra’ 17:12]
‘It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning…’ [Yoonus 10:5]
Counting the new moons is easier than counting days.” (See Tafseer al-Qurtubi).
With regard to the stars, the scholars of Islam say that Allaah created these stars for three reasons: to adorn the heavens, to drive away the devils (shayaateen) and as signs for navigation. (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bad’ al-Khalq), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is He Who has set the stars for you, so that you may guide your course with their help through the darkness of the land and the sea…” [al-An’aam 6:97]
“And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the shayaateen (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.” [al-Mulk 67:5]
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
*******************************************************
Islamic groups adopting a banner or symbol, and the ruling on using the crescent as a symbol
We want to form a Muslim group in a place where there are a lot of student groups in the university, including groups from other religions. We want to distinguish ourselves with something and to have a symbol, because symbols are important in distinguishing groups from one another, Can you advise us of a specific color or symbol that we can use for this Muslim students’ group?
********************************************************
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen, who replied as follows:
“If the Muslim students agree on something, this is OK, but if each Muslim group is adopting its own symbol, it is not right. The symbol or color that we recommend is bright green.”
Is there any daleel (evidence) for this color?
“No, but people like this color and in the Qur’aan it says (interpretation of the meanings): ‘Their garments will be of fine green silk’ [al-Insaan 76:21] and ‘Reclining on green cushions’ [al-Rahmaan 55:76].”
Is there any indication from the reports that the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had white and black banners that these colors are mustahabb in such cases?
“No, we cannot use these colors, because these were the banners in that time, and each era has things that are appropriate for it. But black now is one of the symbols of the Raafidah, as is well known.”
The crescent is commonly used as a symbol by Muslims to distinguish themselves from Christian groups who use the cross as a symbol. Is it permissible for us to use the crescent as a symbol in our publications and on our banners, to distinguish ourselves from other, non-Muslim groups?
“I do not think this is right, because the crescent was originally a symbol that was placed on graves that were worshipped instead of Allah. We read this in an answer given by some scholars and leaders of Daw’ah. But we could use a picture of the Ka’bah as a symbol, because it is the Qiblah of all Muslims.”
In some countries they put a crescent on Muslim places of worship to distinguish them from Christian places of worship, which have crosses on top of them. They do this so that people can tell them apart from a distance, because the architecture is often similar. Can we say that putting a crescent on the mosques or minarets of the Muslims is bid’ah?
“It is as you say (i.e., we can say that). It is sufficient for a mosque not to have a Christian symbol on it. Symbols may be something that is present, or something that is not present. If the Christians have a symbol, namely the cross, then the fact that the Muslims have no symbol is in itself a symbol. (i.e., we do not need to put anything).
And Allâh knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
********************************************************
Min-Fadhli-Rabii
Junior Member
Hi Robert, Mambo vp? Nairoibi iko baridi?
I dont think crescent it has significant in Islam. I dont think neither during prophet( peace be upon him) time mosques had crescents. Is just decorations invented centuries after the Prophet(peace be upon him).
Vipi uislamu in Nairobi? Any islamic news, materials, website from kenya?
I dont think crescent it has significant in Islam. I dont think neither during prophet( peace be upon him) time mosques had crescents. Is just decorations invented centuries after the Prophet(peace be upon him).
Vipi uislamu in Nairobi? Any islamic news, materials, website from kenya?