what is the significance of moon and stars to Muslims?

Question

it is in their flags etc...

happy new year

Answer 1

Allah was a moon god up until Mohammad decided he was the One True God™

Answer 2

Crescent Moon: Symbol of Islam?

The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right?

What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol? What does it symbolize or mean? How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam? Is it a valid symbol for the faith?

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon symbol. According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana. Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month. In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ.

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.

It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds 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. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture. The five points were not standard on the Ottoman flags, and as you will see on the following page, it is still not standard on flags used in the Muslim world today.

For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world. After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole.

Based on this history, many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam. The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon. It is certainly not in uniform use among Muslims.

This leads to the question of alternatives. What other "symbol" represents the faith?
http://islam.about.com/library/weekly/aa060401a.htm

Answer 3

The early Muslims had to sight the crescent for the suitable of Ramadan and the suitable of the fast because the recent month began. The crescent and the in call for human being might want to be considered right now of the year mutually. this does not characterize Islam in besides yet Ramadan is the month in which the Quran change into printed and Muslims might want to even see this as a reminder of Ramadan and the fast and the Quran. Salaam is stated as a greeting contained in the Quran and is the greeting to those who will enter Paradise yet all strong greetings are used and are not prohobited. Allahuakbarr!

Answer 4

I hate to copy and paste-but, there is so much here-----I did.

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon symbol. According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana. Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month. In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ.

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.

It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds 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. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture. For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world. After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole.

Ah!
Someone beat me with this explaination!

Answer 5

“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day and the Sun and Moon. Prostrate (adore) not to the Sun and the Moon but prostrate to God, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.” (Qur’an, 41: 37)

it has only this much segnificance, we follow lunar year and thus our eids ,and ramadhan is decided accordingly and more than that

Having moon ion flag is symbolic and it has nothing to do with our believes, infact during our early days of islam muslims used to carry a flag of any colur without anything pasted on it.the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world for a long time , and they carried it as symbol and thus it is linked to islam..though its not true

Answer 6

The Islamic Calendar is based on the Lunar Cycle, therefore, important Islamic dates revolve around this calendar, and not the Gregorian Solar one. The birth of a lunar month is identified by a fine crescent slither in the sunset sky. The angle of the crescent will depend on your viewing location on the globe and the position of the sunset on the horizon relative to the moon.

See some cool photos here:
http://moonsighting.com/moonphoto.html

Islamic days begin at sunset and they go on till the next sunset, therefore, you can think of the next day's dawn and daytime as the same Islamic day.

Muslims don't worship the Sun, Moon or Stars. They worship their creator, the One True God of the Universe and all that is in existence. The Sun, Moon and Stars provide an important time-keeping mechanism, to be fully taken advantage of during our lives on Earth.

Happy New Year to you too!!

Answer 7

At the end of the world the stars will fall out of the skies...

Surah 41:12 Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower.

the stars are oil lamps according to the Quran

Answer 8

These verses should guide you to the straight path by God's will.

[006:095] Verily, it is Allâh Who causes the seed grain and the fruit stone (like date stone) to split and sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead, and it is He Who brings forth the dead from the living. Such is Allâh, then how are you deluded away from the truth?

[006:096] (He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. Such is the measuring of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

[006:097] 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. We have (indeed) explained in detail Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for a people who know.

[006:098] It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and has given you a place of residing (on the earth or in your mother's wombs) and a place of storage [in the earth (in your graves) or in your father's loins]. Indeed, We have explained in detail Our Revelations (this Qur'ân) for a people who understand.

[006:099] It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily, in these things there are signs for a people who believe.

[006:100] Yet, they join the jinn as partners in worship with Allâh, though He has created them (the jinn); and they attribute falsely without knowledge sons and daughters to Him. Glorified is He and Exalted above all that (evil) they attribute to Him.

[006:101] He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.

Answer 9

the moon is for peace and the stare represent the five basic stuff to become a muslim . moon is a thing that god creater is not god like other people say

Answer 10

it's just a symbol, no real significance.

Answer 11

Whatever,to me it seems they can see only in the dark.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.