Ruling on Wearing and Waving St. George’s Cross

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Question: Some people have recently differed on the ruling of a Muslim who wears a cross, a symbol which is exclusive to the Christians. Some of us that that the one who does it has committed an act of Kufr (disbelief) and others hold the opinion that it is not Kufr (disbelief) but admit that it is Haraam and not permissible. The second group hold the view that it can only be Kufr (disbelief) if one persists on wearing it.

Answer: To understand this matter in detail is obligatory which is on the ruling on wearing a cross, which is a symbol exclusive to the Christians. The one who wears the cross is like the one who is pleased with the beliefs of the Christians and as a result the one who wears it has committed an act of Kufr (disbelief). This is based on the statement of Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted:

O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliya' to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliya', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers and unjust).]

[Maaidah 5:51]

The meaning of Dhulm or wrong doer in the end of this Aayah refers to major Shirk.

Also, in wearing the cross, one shows that he agrees with their ‘Aqeedah or beliefs, believing the speculation they have about Esaa [Peace be Upon him] dying on the cross. Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, negated this false belief in His Noble Book when He, the Glorified and the Exalted, stated:

…but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 'Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)]

[Nisaa 4:157]

And Allaah is the Source of all Strength. May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon Our Messenger, Muhammad and Upon his Family and

Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars for Research and Religious Rulings

Signed:

President: ‘Abdul-Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz

Vice President: Abdul-Razaaq ‘Afeefee

Member: Abdullah bin Ghudayaan

Member: Abdullah bin Qa’ood

[2/119 (Fatwaa No. 2245)]