The Crescent and the Star...Is it a valid symbol for ISLAM?

[qureyus1]

Assalamu Alaikum,

I for some reason have had this on my mind for a few days now, actually after seeing the thread about ramadan crafts (I mean no offense to the poster of that thread)...kinda didnt want to post it but I am feeling like I should for some overwhelming reason, subhan ALLAH, He knows best.

Here's a great article about it's validity: http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm

The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right?

What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol? What does it symbolize or mean? How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam? Is it a valid symbol for the faith?

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon as its symbol. According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana. Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month. In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ.

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.

It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds that the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other. Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture. The five points were not standard on the Ottoman flags, and as you will see on the following page, it is still not standard on flags used in the Muslim world today.

For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world. After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole.

Based on this history, many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam. The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon. It is certainly not in uniform use among Muslims.

This leads to the question of alternatives. What other "symbol" represents the faith? Is it necessary to even have a symbol? Take our poll, then come join us for a discussion in the Forum.

Poll: On a webpage or publication about Islam, what type of graphic would you use?

1. The crescent moon - it is a recognized symbol of the faith
2. A mosque
3. The Ka'aba
4. Islamic calligraphy or arabesque design
5. Other
6. I wouldn't use a graphic or symbol
7. View Results

[sierra_617]

Okay my only beef is with the source of the article and how credible is the writer. Is there more evidence that is credible about this? No disrespect just curiosity

[qureyus1]

I understand completely.

The writer seems to have taken historical info and just summed it up into a short article.  I will try to locate more info on what is stated inthe article.

Here is another article, much longer though with some of the same info as the previous writer mentioned.  This article even had additional info on the prophet's flag. I must WARN though this article seems to be very opinionated BUT out of an opinionated article you can still get an idea of what may be factual. 

http://www.themodernreligion.com/misc/hh/crescent.html
The Prophet's Flag

As to what the actual Holy Prophet (s) used, we find some very interesting information. It has been reported that the Holy Prophet's first standard or flag was a black flag to contradict the white flag of the Quraish, who had a black eagle on it as well. The earliest such flag or banner used by the Prophet was a sable curtain which hung in the chamber of his wife, Ayesha (ra). In the center, the Prophet attached a white cloth which was a turban that he captured from the city of Boreide. On it was written the inscription, Nasr um min Allah, which meant "the help of Allah." Most appropriate. One can see how powerful a symbol this was to be used as a banner or flag.

In modern times, some governments, like Saudi Arabia, prefer not to use the star and crescent of the Turkish government, but instead use a plain green field with the shaha'da on it in white. There is also a white sword underneath. Several modern day Muslims use the shaha'da in white on a green field as their way of showing they are Muslim. It was reported that the Prophet's favorite color was green; which incidentally represents life.

[qureyus1]

Here is also two wikipedia takes on the crescent and the star/star and crescent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescent   This writing states, " Though the crescent was originally a secular symbol of authority for Muslim rulers, it is now often used to symbolize the Islamic faith.

However, the crescent was not a symbol used for Islam by Muhammad or any other early Muslim
rulers, as the Islamic religion is, in fact, against appointing "Holy Symbols" (so that during the early centuries of Islam, Muslim authorities simply didn't want any geometric symbols to be used to symbolize Islam, in the way that the cross symbolizes Christianity, the menorah was a commonly-occurring symbol of Judaism, etc.). This is why early Islamic coins were covered with Arabic writing, but contained no visual symbols."

Here's another:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_and_crescent

[HeatUSA-Tunisia]

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/575/moon%20symbol

Regaurding the use of the cressent: 1. Is it sunnah to use the cressent moon as a symbol? (i.e. hadith or Qur'an?) 2. secondarlly so, on the top of the Masjid in Bloomington IN ( and many MANY others around the world) they use this symbol, BUT I heard from a brother that it was originally a pagan symbol (worship of the moon etc) --- if so should we not all remove this? I am a bit confused and have been unable to find fatwa or hadith. thank you - wa alekium salaam.

Praise be to Allaah.

After consulting with scholars and muftis, we have learned that there is no known basis in Islam for putting a crescent on top of the minaret. Some scholars forbid doing so and consider it to be something that is newly-innovated in the religion. The practice may also contain some element of imitating the kuffaar, especially if it is proven that the crescent is a symbol used by those who worship heavenly bodies. So we should not use this symbol, and the mosque’s money should not be spent on something that serves no Islamic purpose. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

[muhajjirah]

Quoting HeatUSA-Tunisia:

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/575/moon%20symbol

Regaurding the use of the cressent: 1. Is it sunnah to use the cressent moon as a symbol? (i.e. hadith or Qur'an?) 2. secondarlly so, on the top of the Masjid in Bloomington IN ( and many MANY others around the world) they use this symbol, BUT I heard from a brother that it was originally a pagan symbol (worship of the moon etc) --- if so should we not all remove this? I am a bit confused and have been unable to find fatwa or hadith. thank you - wa alekium salaam.

Praise be to Allaah.

After consulting with scholars and muftis, we have learned that there is no known basis in Islam for putting a crescent on top of the minaret. Some scholars forbid doing so and consider it to be something that is newly-innovated in the religion. The practice may also contain some element of imitating the kuffaar, especially if it is proven that the crescent is a symbol used by those who worship heavenly bodies. So we should not use this symbol, and the mosque’s money should not be spent on something that serves no Islamic purpose. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

jazakAllah kheir sister heather& quyeys

[qureyus1]

Shukran, sister muhajjirah.

I think this is on a sticky level because it is informative and important. 

Should you think so to, please move it to the "What Islam is all About" sticky thread.

[muhajjirah]

I think you're right! when I get to my pc I'll  try to do that if i can. barakAllah feeki! :)

Quoting qureyus1:

Shukran, sister muhajjirah.

I think this is on a sticky level because it is informative and important. 

Should you think so to, please move it to the "What Islam is all About" sticky thread.

[proud2bmom3]

assalamu alaikum sisters.

 I removed this from the sticky in itself. and added it to the info about Islam sticky.  ( I dont like to have too many sticky posts on the top of the forum. they take away from the new posts)

thank you all for the information..

I just would like to add that for children doing a craft as a crescent in the month of Ramadan does not mean that we are innovating a symbol in Islam.. in my humble opinion and I could be wrong.. but there is a hadith in fact that prophet Muhammad peace be upon him says : fast when you see it ( the crescent) and break your fast when you see it.. meaning we begin the month and end it with the sighting of the crescent.. it marks the beginning of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.. so if in that sense , a mother chooses to have her child make a crescent.. I dont' see the harm in that  ( I am not a scholar nor a student of knowledge- but I think it will all boil down to the intention and what we teach the child..

if I teach my child that the crescent has no significance except as a marker of time. and then choose to have her do an activity.. . I dont' think it can be compared to going as far as making the crescent a symbol of Islam..

correct me if I am wrong sisters..

if I speak in error then it is from me. may Allah forgive me and guide us all to what pleases HIM Ameen.

[muhajjirah]

Quoting proud2bmom3:

assalamu alaikum sisters.

 I removed this from the sticky in itself. and added it to the info about Islam sticky.  ( I dont like to have too many sticky posts on the top of the forum. they take away from the new posts)

waalaikumasalaam proud :) 

i meant to put it as a link in the the info about Islam post but am sort of sleep deprived this ramadan and maybe thats why i couldnt figure it out even though ive done it before (although now, im thinking there really wasnt much to try & figure out! lol) sorry about that. 

as far as the post goes, i like the reminder. many DO use the crescent as a sign for Islam, i get annoyed just looking at the sword under the shahada of the saudi flag- another example of how cultural things get in the way. but i agree that in moderation for the sake of teaching kids the significance of the Islamic calandar there isnt harm in that. plus Allah subhanawatala did tell us in the Quran that the moon was given to us to use for marking the days...Allah Knows Best.

[muhajjirah]

its now a link in that thread..