🏴 The Significance of STANDARDS (ʿAlam) in Islam: History, Tradition, and Unity
Definition and Background
ʿAlam (علم), pl. aʿlām, refers to the standards or banners used by Muslims, which hold deep historical and religious significance. These standards are symbolic flags or banners serving various purposes, from representation in battlefields to ceremonial uses in religious festivals.
Etymology and Meaning
The Arabic word ʿalam (علم) translates to “knowledge” or “flag” in English. It is derived from the root “ع-ل-م,” which means to know, learn, or identify. The term signifies not just a physical object but also a marker of identities, beliefs, and traditions within the Islamic heritage.
Historical Context
Throughout Islamic history, standards have played pivotal roles in both military and ceremonial contexts.
- Prophet Muhammad’s Standards: Various traditions indicate that Muhammad had multiple standards, such as a white standard when he entered Makkah. Significant historical figures like Jābir, Ibn ʿAbbās, and Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib have recounted that these standards varied in color and design, including large black standards and square black-and-multi-colored standards.
- Shīʿah and Sunnī Struggles: Post the division of Muslim communities into Shīʿah and Sunni, banners symbolized political and doctrinal allegiance. The Fatimides (Shīʿah) adopted green, whereas the Banī Umaiyah (Sunni) carried white.
- Regional Standards: Various Muslim empires and regions have had distinctive standards. For instance, the Central Asian tribes used triangular black or green standards, while modern Turkish standards include the significant horse-tail standards. Turkey adopted the crescent moon symbol following the conquest of Constantinople, reflecting a symbol of sovereignty used as early as the Roman Empire.
Cultural Symbolism
The choice of colors in Islamic standards often holds significant cultural symbolism:
- Black: Associated with the Abbāsids and viewed as a primitive Islamic ensign.
- Green: Linked to the Prophet Muhammad and frequently used by the Wahhābīs and Shīʿahs.
- White: Utilized by the Banī Umaiyah and denotes peace.
Apart from historical and political establishments, these banners are also visible during religious observances:
- Muharram Standards: During the commemoration of the martyrdom of al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusain, Shīʿah processions prominently display multiple standards.
- Mahdī’s Appearance: Hadith traditions prophesize that the Mahdī will emerge from Khorasān wielding black ensigns in the Last Days.
Related Terms and Context
- Sinjaqu ’sh-sharīf: The highly revered banner housed in Constantinople, considered an ancient standard of the Prophet.
- Uthal and Zat raā:re: Ensigns with unique identifiers subject to status among Turks.
Exciting Facts
- Ceremonial Storage: In periods of peace, the Prophet’s banner along with his clothes and other relics, like teeth and hair, are carefully preserved and displayed only on significant occasions.
- Horse-tail Standards: The practice by the Ottomans is reflective of Mongol traditions, showcasing rank and heritage.
Quotations and Reflections
-
“Standards in the Islamic tradition mark not just battlefields or state boundaries, but the faith, unity, and cultural identities that transcend mere geography.”
- Hasan Nuri
Suggested Literature and Sources
- Islamic Symbols and their Meanings by Farah Tawfiq.
- The Banner of the Prophet: Its History and Significance by Yaseen Al-Said.
- FLAGS: The Rich History of Islamic Banners by Ali Haj.
- Muslim Military Colours and the Turko-Islamic Tradition by Abbas Kehar.
Quiz Time!
Aspire to understand the symbols that resonate through history, the ʿalam being more than a simple banner but a testimony to unity, identity, and faith.
- Fatimah El-Tayeb, 2023
