As-salamu `alaykum. What is the ruling of Islam regarding carrying the cross and the crescent during demonstrations that took place in Egypt, expressing solidarity and unity of the social fabrics of the community? You may consider that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), in some hadiths, ordered the removal of crosses from walls and carpets?
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your good question.
In fact, it is the Muslims’ duty to protect their Christian and non-Muslim neighbors, relatives, co-citizens against all forms of oppression and inhuman crimes. So, Muslims may go out along with the Christians in Egypt to protest and condemn the latest criminal attack that targeted Al-Qidiseen church.
Responding to your question, Sheikh `Essam Talimah, member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), stated,
In fact, this issue requires dealing with following main points:
1. The aim of raising the cross and the crescent.
2. The purport of the texts ordaining the removal of the crosses, their context, and how to understand them.
3. How to deal with the slogans, symbols, and sanctities of non-Muslims.
First, as for the aim of raising such religious symbols, namely the crescent and the cross, it aims at showing how far the Egyptian people, both Muslims and Christians, are socially and politically united. What ascertains this is that the purpose of raising such symbols is to show the attitude of a group of people without any religious aims, calling to any creed, or distinction between creeds. This aim should be considered while evaluating this action.
Second, as for the hadiths referred to in the question that order of the removal of the crosses from walls and carpets, this is applicable to Muslims’ houses. This is logical, of course, as a Muslim will not carry a cross around his neck or inside his house. The same is true regarding Christians who would not carry a copy of the Qur’an or hang it on the walls of his house.
The Prophetic prohibition of having crosses on Prayer mats or hanging them on walls is peculiar to Muslims and their houses. So, a Muslim is prohibited to pray on a mat with a cross or to hang something containing a cross on the walls in his house.
In case of demonstrations as elaborated in the question, it is not related to a house, or to any creed or religion. It is just a kind of a show and does not represent the creed of any participant.
Third, as for the point how we should deal with the slogans, symbols, and sanctities of non-Muslims in such situations, it should be clear that a Muslim is undoubtedly proud of his religion believing that it is the true religion. The same is also true for a non-Muslim who thinks that a Muslim does not believe in his creed considering him on the wrong path. Also, this is applicable to followers of any creed. Otherwise, the one who sees that all creeds are right is hesitant; why doesn’t he then give up his creed and follow another one? This does not allow a person to abuse or disparage the sanctities of others. Rather, they should be highly esteemed and respected.
In Sunnah, we can find what proves this. The titles like Supreme Pontiff (Al-habr Al-A`zam), Pontiffs (ahbar), and monks (ruhban), which are religious, have been fully considered by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. In his letter to Egypt’s ruler Al-Muqawqis, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To Al-Muqawqis, the Great of Copts…" Doesn’t this prove the Prophet’s esteem of others who were different with him?
Moreover, the objectives (maqasid) of Shari`ah help in understanding such issues. Islam ordains us to support the oppressed and help them to request and regain their rights. There is a Prophetic order to support one’s brother; the general brotherhood is meant in this context. So, it is Muslims’ duty to protect their Christian brothers’ blood, money, and sanctities.
Also, we have seen many non-Muslims go out declaring their support to truth and justice in the issues of Palestine, Iraq, Gaza, and the crimes of Israel in Palestine and, before that, in Lebanon. We should, here, assure and highly estimate the citizenship that is based on equality, solidarity, love, brotherhood, and acquaintance.
In conclusion, it's permissible for people to go out in demonstrations expressing the unity of Muslims and Christians, even if they raise signs with the cross and the crescent as long as there is no purpose to represent one creed or call for it. Rather, this is a symbol that has a profound significance of brotherhood between both Muslims and Christians.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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