Praise be to Allah!
How often do we see kids crossing fingers in imitation of western culture?
Many of us must have heard the argument about the tie being haram, because it symbolizes the cross.
It is a norm for people living in countries, where Christmas is celebrated, to see gifts and toys with symbols of cross.
What does the cross symbolize and what should a Muslim point of view be on making, buying, wearing or using stuff with symbol of cross?
Britannica defines: Cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians.
We asked some Christians who became Muslim about it (i.e., the cross) and they said: In our view, the cross is the well-known cross, composed of two lines, one of which is horizontal and the other is vertical, and the vertical line is longer than the other. This reflects reality, because when a person was crucified, a piece of wood was placed horizontally, so that his arms could be tied to it. So how could the piece of wood for his arms be placed halfway down the vertical piece? Rather, it should be higher up. Thus, the Christian cross is: a long vertical line intersected by a horizontal line about 1/3 down from the top of the vertical line. Is the plus sign (+) a cross? No, it is not a cross.
To cross one’s fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to wish for luck. Occasionally, it is interpreted as an attempt to implore God for protection. The gesture is referred to by the common expressions “cross your fingers”, “keep your fingers crossed”, or just “fingers crossed”.
Making cross is like making idols:
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It is not permissible to make crosses, whether for payment or otherwise, or to sell crosses, just as it is not permissible to sell or make idols, as it is proven in as-Saheeh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: Verily Allah (swt) has forbidden the sale of alcohol, dead meat [that which is not slaughtered in the prescribed manner], pork and idols.” (Majmoo Al-Fataawa, 22/141)
Bad omens are instilled in the minds of a lot of people by Shaitan and they have no effects on our lives in reality:
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allah (sa) said: “Tiyarah (superstitious belief in omens) is Shirk.” (Tirmidhi, 1614; Abu Dawood, 3910; Ibn Majaah, 3538; classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)
The Arabs used to regard certain birds, times and persons as unlucky, and this is Shirk, as the Prophet (sa) said.
If a person opens the door to superstition, the world will become a hard place for him, and he will imagine that everything is a bad omen – Shaitan will then lead him to things that will damage his religious and worldly interests. How can this compare to righteous optimism, which brings joy to the heart, strengthens hope, quells fear, brings calm and motivates one to seek the help of Allah (swt) and put one’s trust in Him and to be of good cheer. This is the opposite of superstition, for optimism leads a person to obey Allah (swt) and believe in Him alone (Tawheed), whereas superstitious pessimism leads one to disobey Him and associate others with Him (Shirk). Hence, the Prophet (sa) liked optimism, and he declared superstition to be invalid. (Miftaah Daar al-Sa’aadah, 2/246, 247)
The ruling on drawing or wearing forms of crosses is the following:
If it is drawn on the basis that it is a cross, it is not permissible for the Muslim to carry it, wear it, buy it, sell it or draw it, because the reason for the prohibition on drawing or wearing crosses is to avoid imitating the Christians and venerating their false religious symbols. This reason is applicable to all forms of the cross that are known to various Christian sects, if it is made on the basis that it is a cross so that it may be venerated and taken as a symbol for whatever they want.
If it is drawn as a kind of decoration, or some household items and utensils are manufactured and happen to have one of the kinds of crosses mentioned above on them, then it depends:
(a) If it is obvious at first glance that it is the kind of cross that is well known today, as it appears in the majority of churches and among most Christians, and it is composed of two lines, one of which is vertical and the other is horizontal, and the horizontal line intersects with the vertical line, and the upper portion is shorter than the lower portion, then it must be removed or altered so that it no longer looks like a cross. The Prophet (sa) would not leave anything in his house, on which there were crosses, but he would alter them.
(b) But if the shape of the cross is not obvious, and it is only part of the design and is unintentional, or if the designer of a structure decided that crossed lines were more appropriate, or it is used as a mathematical symbol, such as the plus sign and multiplication sign in arithmetic, then in this case it does not have to be altered or removed, and there is nothing wrong with making it or selling anything that contains it, because the reason for prohibition – which is imitating the disbelievers and venerating their symbols – is not present in this case, and the symbol of the cross in this case is subtle and is not noticeable.
Allah knows best.
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