Fatwa ID: 07592
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
Assalamu alaikum,
I take note of your fatwa 06210 re: crucifix crosses but need further clarity and reassurance as within the UK, we have the English St George’s flag, the Scottish saltire and the flags of Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the United Kingdom’s Union Flag as a whole.
Is displaying the English flag, Scottish saltire or Union flag an act of shirk/haram Islamically whether it’s displaying a flag or a flag featuring, a football/sports shirt or uniform (NHS, emergency services etc)?
I ask as many Muslims live in the UK and feel a strong sense of belonging, identity and pride with their country of birth and belonging (whether it be England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland), but at the same time want to fully adhere and respect the monotheism of Islam.
I hope you can fully answer and address this issue and provide reassurance that no Muslim is committing shirk while being able to feel they can express their national identity with comfort Islamically.
Thank you.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum al-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.
Islam is in favour of maintaining the status quo and leaving the practices of old as they are, so long as such practices are not in clear violation of the dictates of Islam.[1][2]
It also takes into consideration the practices of the people.[3]
The earliest known usage of flags takes us back to ancient China, Egypt and Rome. Documented use of flags by other dynasties have also been recorded; them being used as military standards and as [general] markers.
The Prophet (saw) himself also made use of flags.
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَايَةَ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَتْ سَوْدَاءَ وَلِوَاؤُهُ أَبْيَضُ””
“It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (R.A.) that the flag of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was black, and his standard was white.” – [سنن ابن ماجة، رقم الحديث ٢٨١٨]
“عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ مَكَّةَ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ وَلِوَاؤُهُ أَبْيَضُ”
“It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (R.A.) that the Prophet (ﷺ) entered Makkah on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah, [whilst] his flag was white.” – [سنن ابن ماجة، رقم الحديث ٢٨١٧]
A country’s flag does not necessarily bear the perspectives of all its inhabitants, as national flags are simply used/raised as markers of identification and communication. Thus, displaying the flag of one’s country will not constitute shirk nor will it be haram.
As for an individual loving their country and having a strong sense of belonging, then this is something which is permissible.
The Prophet (saw) had immense love for Makkah despite it being filled with mushrikin.
It is reported that whilst standing in Al-Hazwarah (an area in Makkah), He (saw) said:
” “ وَاللَّهِ إِنَّكِ لَخَيْرُ أَرْضِ اللَّهِ وَأَحَبُّ أَرْضِ اللَّهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَلَوْلاَ أَنِّي أُخْرِجْتُ مِنْكِ مَا خَرَجْتُ
“By Allah! You are the best of Allah’s earth, and the most beloved of Allah’s earth to Allah, and if it were not that I was expelled from you I would not have left [you].” – [سنن الترمذي، رقم الحديت ٣٩٢٥]
Furthermore, ‘Aisha (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said:
“الْعِبَادُ عِبَادُ اللَّهِ وَالْبِلَادُ بِلَادُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ أَحْيَا مِنْ مَوَاتِ الْأَرْضِ شَيْئًا فَهُوَ لَهُ وَلَيْسَ لِعِرْقٍ ظَالِمٍ حَقٌّ”
“[All] The servants [mankind] are the servants of Allah, and [all] the lands are the lands of Allah. Whoever irrigates a barren land owns its produce, but an oppressor has no right to its roots.”
[السنن الكبرى للبيهقي، باب من أحيا أرضا ميتة فهي له، رقم الحديث ١١٧٨٠]
With respect to fandom surrounding sports and the like, know that this is something which is common. People naturally become admirers and fans of those things or individuals that amaze or inspire them.
When an individual wears a jersey consisting of their favourite sports player or team, they [again] are not necessarily endorsing the faith or the perspectives of the player, but rather they are showing admiration towards his or her talent in relation to the sport.
Moreover, we often see many sports fans inculcating and adopting praiseworthy attributes seen from these players, such as commitment, resilience, dedication and the like—all of which are positive.
Thus, in summary, the raising or displaying of the flag of one`s country and the wearing of a sports team jersey will not be problematic.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
1.
الاصل بقاء ما كان على ما كان
2.
القديم يترك على قدمه
العادة مُحكّمة
إستعمال الناس حجة يجب العمل بها