(Series of Answers by the Scholar Ata bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah, Ameer of Hizb ut-Tahrir, to Questions from Visitors to his Facebook Page)
Answer to a Question: Regarding the use of the Rayah al-Uqab and the Liwa by the Rightly Guided Caliphs
To Al-Wathiq bi Nasrillah
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu,
Has it been reported that the Rightly Guided Caliphs raised the Rayah al-Uqab and the Liwa? Is this mentioned in the athar (reports)? May Allah bless you.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu,
Yes, my brother, the Rightly Guided Caliphs used the Rayat al-Uqab and the Liwa. As for the evidence for this, it is what was narrated from the Messenger of Allah (saw) that his Rayah was al-Uqab and his Liwa was white. Among these evidences are:
1- An-Nasa'i in Sunan al-Kubra and At-Tirmidhi narrated from Jabir that the Prophet (saw):
دَخَلَ مَكَّةَ وَلِوَاؤُهُ أَبْيَضُ
"entered Makkah and his Liwa (banner) was white."
And Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated in his Musannaf from 'Amrah, she said:
كَانَ لِوَاءُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَبْيَضَ
"The Liwa of the Messenger of Allah (saw) was white."
2- Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and An-Nasa'i in Sunan al-Kubra narrated from Yunus bin Ubayd, the freed slave of Muhammad bin al-Qasim, who said: Muhammad bin al-Qasim sent me to al-Bara' bin 'Azib to ask him about the Rayah (flag) of the Messenger of Allah (saw), what was it? He said:
كَانَتْ سَوْدَاءَ مُرَبَّعَةً مِنْ نَمِرَةٍ
"It was black and square, made of namirah (striped woollen cloth)."
3- At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated from Ibn Abbas, who said:
كَانَتْ رَايَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَوْدَاءَ، وَلِوَاؤُهُ أَبْيَضَ
"The Rayah of the Messenger of Allah (saw) was black, and his Liwa was white."
4- Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated in his Musannaf from Al-Hasan, who said:
كَانَتْ رَايَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَوْدَاءَ تُسَمَّى الْعُقَابَ
"The Rayah of the Prophet (saw) was black and it was called al-Uqab."
This is sufficient evidence that the Rightly Guided Caliphs followed the example of the Messenger of Allah (saw) regarding the Rayah and the Liwa. They never left a matter that the Messenger of Allah (saw) declared among them except that they practiced it. There is no need for further research regarding the Rayah and the Liwa during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs for two reasons:
First: The Shari' ruling is taken from the Messenger of Allah (saw).
Second: The Rightly Guided Caliphs would not abandon a witnessed matter performed by the Messenger of Allah (saw), such as the Rayah and the Liwa.
Your brother, Ata bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah
Link to the answer from the Ameer's Facebook page
Link to the answer from the Ameer's Website
Link to the answer from the Ameer's Google Plus page