crescent moon and star in islam11:35 PM
25.3.11
As regards what Muslims think about the moon and the stars, they believe that they are part of the creation of Allah, and as such can neither benefit nor harm people, and they do not have any influence over events on earth. Allah has created them for the benefit of mankind, an example of which is seen in the aayah or verse of the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning):
“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” [al-Baqarah 2:189]
[The commentator] Ibn Katheer said, explaining the phrase Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time: “From them (the new moons) they may know the times for repaying loans, the `iddah (waiting period) of their women [after being divorced or widowed] and the timing of their Hajj (pilgrimage)… Allaah has made them signs to mark the times when Muslims should start to fast and break their fast [the beginning and end of Ramadaan], to count the `iddah of their women and to know the times for repaying loans.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
[Another commentator] Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on this aayah [verse]: “This explains the wisdom behind the waxing and waning of the moon, which is to avoid any confusion in appointed
1. dates,
2. dealings,
3. oaths,
4. Hajj,
5. `iddah,
6. fasting,
7. breaking fasts,
8. length of pregnancy,
9. rentals and other matters that concern mankind. Similar to this aayah are others (interpretation of the meanings):
`And We have appointed the night and the day as two ayat (signs). Then, We have made dark the sign of the night while We have made the sign of day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning…” [al- Isra’ 17:12]
`It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning…’ [Yoonus 10:5]
Counting the new moons is easier than counting days.” (See Tafseer al- Qurtubi).
With regard to the stars, the scholars of Islam say that Allaah created these stars for three reasons: to adorn the heavens, to drive away the devils (shayaateen) and as signs for navigation. (Saheeh al- Bukhaari, Kitaab Bad’ al-Khalq), as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“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…” [al-An’aam 6:97]
“And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the shayaateen (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.” [al-Mulk 67:5]
