Islamic Arts

Generally, people nowadays will regard the crescent moon and star as the symbol of Islam. If you were to look at the flag of Islamic countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan and Turkey, you will see the presence of the crescent moon and star in it. How are these symbols relevant to Islam and is there any story behind these symbols? In this entry, we will answer both of the questions and highlight what these symbols signify.

History
During the livelihood of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there were no specific symbols of Islam used anywhere either flags* or stamp. During those great days, flags are only made using a single colour like white, yellow, red and green. It is then followed by the Khulafa Ar-Rashideen (The Rightly guided Khalifas of Prophet Muhammad) where they didn’t initiate any use of crescent moon and stars.

The emergence usage of crescent moon and star was during the Ottoman Empire (1299 – 1923). It was when the empire reigned over Constantinople (known as Istanbul) in 1453. It is said 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. Had not because of this empire ruled the Muslims world over hundreds of years, the symbols became linked with in people’s mind. The following picture is the Coat of Arms of the Ottoman Empire:

 

Other
However, it was not only Muslims that adopted crescent. Some researchers also found that these symbols was adopted by a Babylon cult of Inana. In the 12th century, the crescent and star had been used by King Richard I of England in the royal badge. Moreover, in country like Singapore, the crescent moon and stars in their Coat of arms represent the young nation rising and the five ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Despite all of these, nowadays we can clearly many Islamic societies and organization uses the crescent moon (with or without star) in their logo such as Muslim Aid, Muslim Heritage, 1001 Inventions and more. In Malaysia, most of the states adopted these symbols in their flags and logos such as Johore (جوهر), Kedah (قدح), Selangor (سلاڠور), Terengganu, Kelantan, and more.

Conclusion
The reality check of this issue will somehow clarify to us the perception that holds in people’s mind. Among 15 269 respondents of a poll, 40% (6139) regards crescent moon as symbol of Islam, followed by 18% (2759) for Islamic Calligraphy, 15% (2333) the Kaaba and the other percentage spread over a mosque and other symbols while 12% (1967) would not use any graphic or symbol at all. What is more, some countries like Singapore also uses the crescent moon and stars but define them differently from the other. And who knows that all of these were the proof of the excellence of Muslim in astronomy?

“Returning to the geometric significance of the Ka’bah, Professor Hawkins has argued that it is exceedingly accurately aligned on two heavenly phenomena. These are the cycles of the moon and the rising of Canopus, the brightest star after Sirius. In a thirteenth-century Arabic manuscript by Mohammed ibn Abi Bakr Al Farisi it is stated that the alignment is set up for the setting crescent moon – an ancient symbol of the virgin-goddess which still appears in the national flags of many Islamic nations. In some flags – Algeria, Mauritania, Tunisia and Turkey – the crescent is accompanied by a star, perhaps representing Canopus.” - T Funari, 12 May 1997

References:

1. Crescent Moon – Symbol of Islam? by Huda
2. Islamic flags by Rob Raeside, flagspot.net
3. Islamic pool (On a webpage or publication about Islam, what type of graphic would you use?)

 

What say you?

• Do you regard crescent moon and star as the symbol of Islam?
• Do you ever come anything else than symbolize Islam other than Ka’bah and Mosque?

Share it with us, we value your view ;)