THE CRESCENT AND STAR SYMBOL

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

The crescent moon a symbol of Islam?

The crescent moon and a star are internationally recognized as a symbol of Islam and featured on the flags of several Muslim countries. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the Star of David, and the Muslims? What does the crescent symbolize?

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 Allah be upon him), or at time of the Khulafa’ al-Rashidun (the first four leaders of Islam) after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), or during the time of the Umawis (Umayyad Dynasty). It emerged sometime 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 it was the Persians and others the Greeks. Whatever the case, symbols and banners must be in accordance with the teachings of Islam, and as there is no evidence in the Qur'an or Sunnah of our Prophet that this symbol is or was 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 use them as symbols.

The Muslim community led by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not have a symbol. Caravans and armies used flags for identification purposes but it was a solid color usually black or green. Muslims do not have a symbol the way other religions do. The crescent moon symbol has historically been associated with the Turks and before Islam it was a feature on their coins. The crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world when the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453CE. They chose to take city's existing flags and symbols and make it the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, therefor the crescent and star became known as an identity of the Ottoman empire. Since they conquered a large potion and used the crescent symbol, it has been adopted by many predominantly Muslim countries and wrongly become known as the symbol of the Islamic faith. Today it is on several country flags including the Republic of Turkey.

But the moon and stars are part of the creation of Allah; Allah created them. Allah says in Surah Al-‘Araf (Q7:54), “…He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by the laws under His Command…” And in Surah Al-Baqarah, “They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the New Moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” In a commentary by ibn Katheer the phrase, ‘these are signs to mark fixed periods of time:’ it meant, ‘from them (the new moons) they may know the times for paying loans, the ‘iddah (waiting period) of their women and the timing of their Hajj (pilgrimage). Allah has made the signs to mark the times when Muslims should start to fast and break their fast [beginning and end of Ramadhan], to count the ‘iddah of their women and to know the times for repaying loans.’ In another commentary it meant ‘to avoid confusion in appointed dates, dealings, oaths, Hajj, Iddah, fasting, breaking fasts, length of pregnancy, rentals and other matters that concern mankind. Counting the new moons is easier than counting days.’ With regard to the stars, the scholars of Islam say that Allah created these stars for three reasons: to adorn the heavens, to drive away devils (shayateen) and as signs for navigation. (Bukhari). In Surah Al-‘Anaam (Q6:97) Allah says, “It is He Who makes the stars (as beacons) for you, that you may be guide yourselves, with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our Signs for people who know.” And in Surah Al-Mulk (Q67:5), “And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away shayateen (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing fire.”

And to answer the question, No! It is not a symbol or a 'logo' that represents Islam.

And Allah knows best.