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Crescent, Reality of Life, Quran and Hadith

Issue 378 » May 12, 2006 - Rabi Al-Thani 14, 1427

General

Living the Quran

Fussilat (Expounded)
Chapter 41: Verse 37

Significance of the Crescent
"Among His signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Adore not the Sun and the Moon, but adore Allah, Who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve."

The Moon is one of the many parts of nature referred to in the Quran. Yet the crescent of the new moon has become associated particularly as a symbol of Islam. Its status is not similar to the Christian cross: the crescent moon is not uniquely significant in Islam, nor do Muslims hold a great attachment to it. If nothing else, it has become a convenient symbol.

The crescent has appeared in Islamic architectural designs from the early days of Islam, notably as one of many features in the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. It was used as a symbol of the Byzantine Empire, and on the standards and flags of the Ottoman Turks. It became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, and eventually was used in the Muslim world in general. A number of national flags of Muslim countries incorporate the crescent, and it is used by the Red Crescent organisation, the banner under which the Red Cross operates in Muslim countries.

The greatest significance of the Moon to Muslims is in the calculation of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar, each month beginning after the sighting of the crescent of the new moon.

Source:
"What does Islam say?" - Ibrahim Hewit, pp. 16-17
Understanding the Prophet's Life

Understanding the reality of this world

The believer knows that this world is only temporary, that its luxuries are few, and that whatever pleasures exist here are always imperfect. If it causes a little laughter, it gives many reasons to weep; if it gives a little, it withholds far more. The believer is only detained here, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “This world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever.”

This world is also fatigue, pain, misery and suffering, so the believer feels relief when he departs from it. Abu Qutadah ibn Rib’i al-Ansari used to say that a funeral passed the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he said: “He is now relieved, and people feel relieved of him.” The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can he be relieved and people feel relieved of him?” He said, “The believing slave (who dies) is relieved of the fatigue and pain of this world and has gone to the mercy of Allah; when the rebellious slave dies, people, land, trees and animals are relieved of him.”

This understanding of the reality of this world makes it easier for the believer to bear afflictions, pains, distress and anxiety, because he knows that they are an inevitable part of the nature of this life.

Source:
"Dealing with Worries and Stress" - Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, pp. 28-29
Cool Concepts!

The difference between the Quran and Hadith.

There is agreement among most Muslim scholars that the contents of the Sunna are also from Allah. Hence they have described it as also being the result of some form of inspiration. The contents of the Sunna are however expressed through the Prophet's own words or actions, while in the case of the Quran the Angel Gabriel brought the exact wording and contents to the Prophet, who received this as revelation and then announced it, in the very same manner that he received it.

It is generally accepted that the difference between Quran and Sunna is as follows:

The hadith from or about the Prophet Muhammad are:

  • The words or actions of a human being, and not the speech of God as the Quran is.
  • Not necessarily reported in their precise wording, as the Quran is.
  • Not necessarily transmitted by tawatur (transmitted by numerous persons), except in some instances.

Source:
"Ulum Al-Quran" - Ahmad Von Denffer