بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
ِالله اكبر
Flags
There are two
flags in Islam; the first is called Al-Liwaa and serves as the sign for the
leader of the Muslim army. It is also the flag of the Islamic State. The other
is termed Ar-Raya and is used by the Muslim army. The Liwaa of the Messenger
(savw) was a piece of white cloth with the words “La Illaha Illa Allah
Muhammadur Rasul Allah”["There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his
Messenger"] written across it. The Raya of the Messenger (saaw) was
a piece of black wool with the words “La Illaha Illa Allah Muhammadur Rasul
Allah”["There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger"] also written across it. Therefore, the Liwaa is a white flag with black
inscription, and the Raya is a black flag with white inscription. Anas bin Malik (ra)
narrated that while the Muslims were fighting the battle of Mu’atah against the Romans,
the Messenger (saaw) delivered a Khutbah in Madinah and informed the Muslims
there of what had transpired in the battlefield. The Messenger (saaw) informed
them that Zayd (ra) had been martyred and that Ja’far (ra) took the Raya (black
flag) after him, but that Ja’far (ra) was also martyred so Abdullah Ibn Ruwahah
(ra) took the Raya (black flag) from him. Al-Barra’a Ibnu Azeb (ra) was asked
about the Messenger’s (saaw) Raya. He said: “It was black, had four corners and
was made of wool.” These and other ahadith clearly prove that Muhammad (saaw)
had designated a flag for his Ummah. The Messenger of Allah (saaw) conquered and
entered Makkah with a Liwaa (white flag)"
The Hadith About Ar Raya
Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)
Bukhari :: Book 5 :: Volume 59 :: Hadith 561 Narrated Anas:
The Prophet had informed the people of the martyrdom of Zaid, Ja'far and Ibn
Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet said, "Zaid took the
flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Ja'far took it and
was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the
Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a
Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (i.e. Khalid) and Allah made them (i.e. the
Muslims) victorious."
Allah Knows Best