Taking the crescent as asymbol

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 atthe 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 wasthe 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 practicespread 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 isbetter 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 andthe 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 aayahor 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] andthe 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 forrepaying loans.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
[Another commentator] Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on thisaayah [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 ofday illuminating, that youmay 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]/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The mercy of the merciful Prophet

A Bedouin came to Rasul Allah and told him, "Give me from what Allah gave you, not from the wealth of your mother nor from the wealth of your father." The Sahaabah were furious at the man and step forward to discipline him for what hesaid. Rasul Allah commanded everyone to leave him.
Then by the hand, Rasul Allah took him home, opened his door and said,"Take what you wish and leave what you wish." Theman did so and after he completed, Rasul Allah asked him, "Have I honored you?" "Yes, by Allah,"
said the Bedouin. "Ash hadu an laa ilaaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasul Allah."
When the Sahabah heard of how the man changed, Rasul Allah taught them.
"Verily the example of myself, you and this Bedouin is that of a man who had his camel run away. The townspeople tried capturing the camel for him by running and shouting after the camel, only driving it further away. The man would shout, 'Leave me and my camel, I know my camel better.' Then he took some grass in his hand, ruffled it in front of the camel, until it came willingly.
'By Allah, had I left you to this Bedouin, you would have hit him, hurt him, hewould have left without Islam and eventually haveentered hellfire."/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Become Muslim first, then do not worry about your past

i'm a young girl, wanting to convert to islam, for me this religion is
really the truth. The problem is, that before i discovered islam, i
used to live a pretty wild life, I did a lot of wrong things (if not
all wrong things). I would like to know if it's possible for a girl
like me to convert, andwhat should I do regarding my past when
converting
Praise be to Allaah.
In the name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
"The revelation of the Book (this Qur'aan) is from Allaah, the All
Mighty, the All Knower.
The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in
punishment, the Bestower (of favours). Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has
the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final
return"[Ghaafir 40:2-3 - interpretation of the meaning]
Ibn 'Abbaas - who was one of the companions of the Prophet of Islam
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) - narrated that some of
the people of shirk (polytheism) killed and dida lot of killing, and
they committed adultery and they did that a great deal, then they came
to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said,
"Whatyou say and what you are calling for is good. If only you could
tell us that thereis any expiation for what we have done." Then Allaah
revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):
'Say: "O 'Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves
(by committing evil deeds andsins)! Despair not of the Mercy of
Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.
And turn in repentance and in obedience with trueFaith (Islamic
Monotheism)to your Lord and submit toHim (in Islam) before the torment
comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped.
And follow the best of thatwhich is sent down to you from your Lord
(i.e. this Qur'aan, do what it orders you to do and keep away from
what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while
youperceive not!"
Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to
Allaah (i.e. I have not done what Allaahhas ordered me to do), andI
was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. Laa ilaaha
illAllaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah), the
Qur'aan, and Muhammad and at the faithful believers]
Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allaah had guided me, I should
indeed have been among the Muttaqoon (the pious)."
Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment:"If only I had
another chance (to return to the world), then I should indeed be among
the Muhsinoon (good-doers)."
Yes! Verily, there came to you My Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) andyou denied them, and were proud
and were among the disbelievers.'[al-Zumar 39:53-59]"
'Amr ibn al-'Aas was a mushrik (polytheist, idol-worshipper), a
sinner and an enemy of Allaah. He said: "When Allaah put the love of
Islam into my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) to pledge my allegiance to him. He stretched out
his hand towards me, but I said, 'I will not pledge allegiance to you,
O Messenger of Allaah, until you forgive me my previous sins.' The
Messenger of Allaah (peaceand blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to
me, 'O 'Amr, do you not know that Islam wipes out whatever sins came
beforeit.'" (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 17159).
So flee to Allaah and knowthat there is nothing that you are worried
about, butthe solution to it is to be found in the texts quoted above.
Indeed, these texts are addressed to you; theyrefer to your situation
and contain the answer to yourproblem.
Your Lord is Most Merciful;He accepts repentance andforgives all
sins. His Mercy encompasses all things. Hecalls you and all His slaves
to repent and to become Muslim. He has promised you, through the words
of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), that all
of your previous sins, major and minor, of whatever type, will be
wiped out completely when you become Muslim, and you will start with a
clean sheet, a new record of deeds that is free of bad deeds. So what
are you waiting for? Why delay it any further? Hasten to enter Islam
and worship your Lord, and we give you the glad tidings of a happy
future and a good life in the shade of Islam. We were very happy - by
Allaah - to receive your question, and we are waiting to hear good
news.
For more information on how to enter Islam, please look at
Questions#703&11936 And Embracing Islam . May Allaah protect you from
allevil, for He is the Best of Protectors and the Best of Supporters,
and He is the Guide to the Straight Path.

How thirty people ate in the dark

Sheikh Abul Hasan Antaki (RA.) lived in Raye, a city in Khorassan. One
day, it chanced that the Sheikh had more than thirty guests, while he
did not have sufficient bread withhim. He could not bake more bread,
for, it was late at night. So, he broke the few loaves he had into
small pieces and spread them over a piece of cloth, which he had
laidbefore his guests. When they were going to start eating, the
Sheikh put outthe lamp. Everybody seemed to start eating and one could
hear the sound of their chewing. After a while, the sound stopped and
it was presumed that everybodyhad finished eating. The Sheikh then
lighted the lamp and they saw that all the pieces were lying
untouched; nobody had eaten anything. Because the food was little,
everyone was thinking about his brothers next tohim and wanted them to
eat instead.
Source: "Fadhail-e-Sadaqaa: Part II" translated by Prof. Abdul Karim.
May Allah make us useful for each other in terms of pleasing Allah.