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It is necessary to have the flags and banners. The difference between the flag and banner is that the flag (liwa) is what is tied at the edge of a spear and bent around it, and it is called “al-‘alam” (the standard). It is said it is called “liwa” because it is bent due to its largeness so it is not spread except when necessary. It is a large standard and a sign for the Amir of the army, so it is enacted wherever he is. As for the banner (rayah), it is a sign given to the army and is metaphorically called the “mother of war” and its plural is “rayat”. The banner is tied on a spear or a mast and is left until the wind swirls it.
The Islamic army in the times of the Messenger (saw) had its banners and flags. Al-Bukhari narrated from Anas that the Prophet (saw) announced the death of Zayd (ra) , Ja’far (ra) and ibn Rawaha (ra) to the people before their news reached the people and said:
“Zayd took the banner and was struck, then Ja’far took (it) and was struck, then ibn Rawaha took (it) and was struck.”
It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) encouraged the people to fight Rome at the end of Safar, and he called Usamah. Then he said to him:
“Travel to the place where your father was killed and mount (attack) them by tethered horses. I have given you command upon this army. Attack by surprise the people of Ibni in the morning and burn them. Hurry in a travel which precedes information. If Allah grants you victories then reduce your stay with them.”
The illness of the Messenger of Allah (saw) began on the third day and he tied a flag for Usamah by his own hands. Usamah took it and gave it to Buraydah, and he encamped at Al-Jurf. It has been narrated from Al-Harith bin Hasan Al-Bakri who said:
“We came to Madinah and at that time the Messenger of Allah (saw) was upon the minbar with Bilal standing in front of him holding a sword. There were black banners and I asked: For whom are these banners? They said: ‘Amru bin al-‘Aas who has come from some battles.”
It came in the two Sahih (books of ahadith)
“That the Prophet (saw) said: ‘I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger loves him. So he gave it to Ali.”
It has been narrated from Anas in An-Nisai
“That ibn Umm Maktum used to have black banners with him in some of the scenes (wars) of the Prophet (SAW).”
It is clear from the aforementioned ahadith that the army in the time of the Prophet (saw) had its banners and flags. Close scrutiny of the texts clarifies that the banner is smaller than the flag and the flag is bigger than the banner. The flag is tied for the leader of the army and the banner is given to the army. The flag is located at the camp of the army as a sign for the army leader, and the banners are with the leaders of regiments and expeditions, and with different army units. The army has many banners for it whereas it has only one flag. This is the relationship of one with the other.
As for the colour, it has been established that the Messenger (saw)’s banner was black and his flag was white. It has been narrated from ibn Abbas (ra) who said:
“The banner of the Messenger of Allah (saw) was black and his flag was white.”
It has been narrated from Jabir:
“The Prophet (saw) entered Makkah and his flag was white.”
In the aforementioned hadith of Al-Harith bin Hasan it has been narrated
“And there were black banners.”
These ahadith indicate that the banner has a black colour whereas the flag is white.
As for its shape, what came is that the banner has four corners and it is made of wool. It has been narrated from Al-Bara bin Azib who was asked how was the Messenger (saw)’s banner? He said:
“It was black, four-cornered from (namirah).”
The meaning of “namirah” i.e. a “hibarah” i.e. “baradah” from wool. It is written upon it “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasul-Allah.” Ibn Abbas (ra) narrated in Abu Shaykh the words:
“It was written in the banner of the Messenger of Allah (saw): La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasul-Allah.”
What is said of the banner is also said of the flag. The flag has four corners (arkan), and is made of wool and “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasul-Allah” is written upon it, except that it is bigger than the banner and the writing is black letters whereas the banner has white letters.
According to the form which came in the texts and in conformity to the reality of the standards, it is noted that for each banner and flag are four clear corners (arkan) extended in its length and breadth. The measurement of its breadth is two-thirds its length. The length of the flag is 120 centimetres and its breadth 80 centimetres, and the banner’s length is 90 centimetres and its breadth is 60 centimetres. It is allowed to use flags and banners of greater or lesser measurement. It is preferred that each division and unit has its own banner in shape and colour, raised together with the State’s flag so as to be a specific sign for the division and unit.
Just as flags and banners are used for the army, they are also used for the State’s structures, departments and utilities. The flag is raised in the office of the Khalifah above the residence of the Khalifah, and the banners in all the utilities of the State, its departments, administration and institutions. It is also permitted for individual citizens to raise it over the institutions, roads and houses.
Reference: The Islamic Personality - Sheikh Taqīuddīn An-Nabahānī
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