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UNDILAH PAS DAN BARISAN ALTERNATIF
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Question:
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.
Answer:
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]
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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