What is the position of Muslim scholars and historians in the Middle Ages (such as Ibn Taymiyyah, Qadi Iyad, Ibn Khaldun, Al-Tabari, and others) regarding obelisks, and what is their interpretation of their presence in sacred places like Mina and Arafat, and their renewal at the boundaries of the Grand Mosque? Are they truly symbols of Satan?
It is incorrect to say that obelisks are exclusively symbols of Satan or are associated with evil or Freemasonry. Obelisks are used by nations for various purposes as markers, and their shapes and sizes vary. Obelisks are an ancient design shared among civilizations such as the Babylonian, Roman, and Pharaonic. In Islamic history, obelisks ("ansab") were used to mark the boundaries of the since the time of Abraham (peace be upon him), and then renewed by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the caliphs after him. They were also markers on Mount Arafat, serving as warning signs that have no connection to Satan or Freemasonry.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/28489
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 28489
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy