Islamic symbols and their meaning (A list) - Symbol Sage (2023)

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Islam is currently the second most popular religion in the world with almost 2 billion followers worldwide. With a rich history and cultural heritage spanning a millennium and a half, you might think there are thousands of fascinating Islamic symbols to discover. While there are a number of significant Islamic symbols, some details about Islam are less focused on written and painted symbols compared to other religions. Let's examine the status of symbols in Islam and the most popular Islamic symbols that hold meaning for their followers.

Are symbols forbidden in Islam?

The official position of Islam is that no "sacred symbol" should be worshiped and venerated. Muslim authorities have banned the use of any geometric shape or symbol as a representation of Islam since the religion's inception.

This means that unlike thechristian crossor theStar of DavidJudaism, Islam has no official symbol.

However, because people are naturally drawn to symbols as simple representations of ideas, many Islamic symbols have been developed over the years with or without the support of Muslim leaders and authorities.

The most popular symbols of Islam

Although written symbols are not officially recognized by Muslim authorities, several symbols have been formed over the years and recognized by the general Muslim population. Most of them are simple words or phrases written in Arabic that have deep religious meaning and hence Muslims started using them as symbols. In this list we have also included colors that have deep symbolic meaning for Muslims.

1. The Star and Crescent

Most people today recognize the star and crescent symbol as the official symbol of Islam. While this is not necessarily the case according to all religious leaders, most Muslim followers revere this symbol as a sacred representation of their religious beliefs. So much so that you can now find the star and crescent symbol on most Muslim mosques and even on the flags of some Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Libya, Tunisia and Algeria.

A case of cultural diffusion

As for the origin of the symbol - it was not an Islamic symbol. In fact, historians see this sign as a "case of cultural diffusion," i. It is. an exchange of cultural symbols, ideas, styles, etc. between different cultures. In the case of the star and crescent symbol, the symbol dates back to the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of modern Turkey. The star and crescent was the symbol of the Ottoman Turks.

Although Turkey is predominantly Muslim today, this was not always the case. When the Ottoman Turks conquered the Middle East, North Africa and much of Eastern Europe, they did not initially follow Islam. For them this was a foreign religion. They adopted it over time from the Islamic states they conquered, and as part of "cultural spread" Islam adopted the symbol of the star and crescent.

In fact, proponents of using the star and crescent symbol as an Islamic symbol have even found certain passages in the Qur'an that can be interpreted as supporting the use of the symbol, even though the Qur'an was written long before the founding of the Ottoman Empire. .

The true origin of the star and crescent

As for the true Ottoman origin of the zodiac and crescent sign and its meaning - it is not entirely clear. Some historians speculate that the Ottoman Turks adopted it after conquering Constantinople, since the crescent moon was a common Byzantine symbol. However, since Constantinople followed the Christian faith, many Islamic historians reject this idea.

Instead, the leading theory among most Islamic scholars is the fact that various iterations of the crescent moon symbol have been used in the Middle East for millennia, dating back to the founding of the Parthian Empire. Since the Eastern Roman Empire (now known as Byzantium) had conquered most of the Middle East for quite some time, it's entirely possible that they removed the crescent symbol from there first.

2. Rub el Hizb

Or symbol of Rub el Hizbis another that is often taken to be a direct representation of the Muslim faith. It consists of two overlapping squares - one parallel to the ground and the other tilted at 45 degrees. Together, the two form an 8-pointed star. The last part of the symbol is a small circle in the center of the star.

The meaning of the Rub el Hizb symbol is that it marks the end of passages in the Qur'an. The "rub" part of the symbol meansquarterora bedroomwhile "Hizb" meansa celebrationora group. The logic behind this is that the Qur'an is divided into 60 equally long parts or hizbs, and each hizb is divided into four rubs.

Thus the Rub el Hizb marks all of these divisions and is often seen in the Qur'an. In fact, along with the star and crescent symbol, you can also see the Rub el Hizb symbol on flags or emblems, including those of Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

3. The color green

The first important symbol to mention isn't an actual geometric symbol - it's a color. Since its beginnings, thegreen colourwas associated with Islam by most of his followers because of a certain line in the Koran (18:31) that says so"Those who inhabit paradise will wear fine green silk robes".

And while Muslim scholars, like the other Abrahamic religions, often claim that many lines of their sacred text are to be interpreted metaphorically or as allegories, this line is taken literally.

As a result, most copies of the Qur'an are covered with green covers. Mosques are decorated in a variety of colors, but almost always with predominant shades of green, and the tombs of Sufi saints are covered with green silk. You may also notice that the flags of almost all Islamic countries include the color green in very prominent places.

4. The colors white and black

The other two colors with strong symbolism in Islam are white and black. As in other cultures, white is the color of purity and peace, which is an important ingredient in Islam. Black, on the other hand, has a completely different symbolism in Islam than in other cultures. Black symbolizes modesty here.

Besides green, white and black are also commonly seen on the flags of most predominantly Muslim countries. Red is also a commonly used color but does not seem to have a particularly important meaning in Islam.

5. Under

The symbol of Allah is represented by Arabic calligraphy for the word God (i.e. Allah). This is similar to Christianity, where technically God is not given a name and is just called "God." In this sense, the symbol of Allah predates Islam, as many Arab peoples used it for their faith before embracing the Muslim faith.

However, this does not change the meaning of the symbol of Allah in modern Islam. In Islam, Allah is the absolute, omnipresent, omnipotent Creator of the universe. Devout Muslims live in total submission to his will and humble fulfillment of his commandments.

6. Grau

The Shahada symbol or Shahadah is an ancient Islamic oath written in calligraphy. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and says: "I testify that none deserves to be worshiped but God, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

This entire set is made up of various calligraphic symbols, but is usually thought of as a single symbol when writtena complex and beautiful circle.

7. Kaaba Mekka

Kaaba literally means MeccaCube in Meccaand that's right - a 3D cube-shaped building with silk and cotton veils painted on the sides. The Kaaba is located in Mecca, and since Saudi Arabia is the holiest shrine in all of Islam, the symbol of the Kaaba Mecca is incredibly important to Muslims around the world.

The Kaaba stands at the center of Islam's most important mosque - the Great Mosque of Mecca, also known as the House of God. No matter where in the world a Muslim lives, all his prayers should always be directed to Mecca. In addition, every Muslim must make a pilgrimage (Hajj) at least once in a lifetime to Mecca - this is another of the five pillars of Islam.

8. Hamsa-Hand

ÖHamsa Hand Symbolin Islamic culture it is closely associated with the Prophet Mohammed. It is also sometimes calledThe hand of Fatima, Fatima is the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.

The symbol is easy to distinguish - it depicts a human palm with three fingers raised - the index, middle and ring finger - and the pinky and curled thumb. In the center of the palm is a human eye without an iris. The Hamsa hand symbolizes defence, bravery and power and is often used as a symbol of protection.

The reasonHamsa-Handis the most common term, as opposed to Hand of Fatima, which isHamsameanscincoin Arabic and refers to the five fingers of the hand.

9.Agadez Cross

Also calledthe muslim cross,the Cross of Agadez, this symbol is only used by the Sunni Tuareg in the Sahara of Africa. It features a small cross in the center of a larger symbol and is believed to represent Allah. The four stylized arms are considered to be the protective arms of God, keeping evil at bay.

The cross is often used as a protective amulet that Sunnis use in everyday life. Although the Cross of Agadez is a local symbol not recognized by other Islamic states, it is of crucial importance to the Sunni Tuareg people and shows how diverse and multicultural the Islamic tradition is.

10.khatim

Designed just like the Rub el Hizb but without the small circle within the two squares, the Khatim symbol is known as the Seal of Prophet Muhammad. The term is generally interpreted as confirming the status of Prophet Muhammad as the last true prophet of Islam and that there will be no other true prophet after him. This "purpose" of Islam is the cornerstone of the Muslim faith and also part of the Shahada.

11.Bahai-Stern

Clean and simple in its design, the Bahai Star symbol is designed as a 9 pointed star. This symbol is closely related to the sacred number 9 and its main symbolism relates to the messengers or prophets of God. It teaches that Allah's lessons are given to us slowly and gradually through His various messengers and prophets, such as Jesus and Muhammad.

12.halal

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The symbol for Halal is composed of the Arabic calligraphy of the word directly translated aspermittedorlegal. As such, halal symbolizes things permitted by Allah and in the Muslim faith. Its opposite isharam,what is translatedillegal.

However, the most common use for the Halal word and symbol is in relation to dietary supplements, especially when it comes to meat. It is used to indicate which meats are legal for consumption and which (e.g. pork) are not.

Nowadays, Halal is also often used in relation to various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, which often contain animal by-products.