There is no basis in sharee'ah for taking the crescent or star as a
symbolof the Muslims. This was not known at the time of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be uponhim), or at the time of the
Khulafa' al-Raashidoon (thefirst four leaders of Islam after the death
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be uponhim), or during
the time of the Umawis (Umayyad dynasty). It emerged some time after
that, and historians differ as to whenthis symbol was first adopted
and who was the first to adopt it. Some say itwas 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 thereason why the Muslims adopted the crescent was that when
they conquered some western countries, the churches there had crosses
on top of them, theMuslims 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 forthe benefit of
mankind, an example of which is seen inthe 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 periodsof 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 periodsof 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, whichis to avoid any
confusion inappointed 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 iseasier 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
driveaway 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 thedarkness 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]
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