Question:
Assalamualaikum. I would like to ask, what is the ruling of wearing four-leaf clover ornaments which is said as a symbol for Christianity and Trinity?
Hope for an explanation. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
In conclusion, if the ornament already becomes a general matter and loses its specific symbolization towards particular religion or nation, then the ruling of wearing four-leaf clover is permissible.
Even if it is still considered as the symbol of Christianity and Trinity, it still has to be seen through repulsiveness of the tasyabbuh itself whether it is apparent or not. So, in this situation, it is best for us to avoid purchasing and wearing such ornaments.
While the more recognizable symbol of the Christians like the Cross, Calvary and the like, or purposely wearing it with the intention of resembling the disbelievers while acknowledging it as the symbol of the religion, then its ruling is haram and sinful.
Wallahu a’lam.
Explanation:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Firstly, we should get to know briefly on the four-leaf clover. In Malay language, it is Daun Semanggi. It is a leaf which normally has three or sometimes four leaves. Young clover with three leaves is called Shamrock. The word shamrock itself actually comes from the Irish word Seamrog meaning ‘little clover’ or ‘young clover’. [1]
According to Carl Ven Treeck and Aloysius Croft in Symbols in The Church [2], St. Patrick used Shamrock leaf to explain to the Irish heathens on the concept of Trinity in Christianity. (Refer Symbols in The Church: 30)
Three-leaf clover is something symbolizes the concept of trinity, in which each leaf represents the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In his portrait, St. Patrick is portrayed holding the Shamrock (three-leaf) like the one in St. Benin’s Church, Wicklow, Ireland. The Irish Christians celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on 17th March annually to commemorate the life of St. Patrick and the spread of Christianity in that country. [3]
While four-leaf clover is something rarely found in compared to the Shamrock. It is believed by the Irish as bringing good luck to those who keep and retain it. Each leaf of the Four Leaf Clover represents Faith, Hope, Love and Luck.
Based on the above explanation, it can be understood that clover and shamrock has its own significance with Christianity, especially for Irish Christians.
However, the question is, does wearing four-leaf clover is considered imitating or resembling (tasyabbuh) other religion which is prohibited by shara’? In a hadith, the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
He who copies any people is one of them
Sunan Abu Dawud (4031)
As it is generally known, the Cross sign is a symbol specified for Christianity without any doubt. It is something commonly known and may be understood by everyone without needing of any process of thinking or research. Therefore, the Cross, the Calvary or the like is haram to be worn even without having any intention to imitate or resemble the disbelievers.
However, for clover, shamrock and the like, it is not a specific symbol for Christians which is widely used. This is because not everyone knows that it is one of the eminence of Christianity, unlike the Cross.
Therefore, according to Dr. Samiah Abdullah Bukhari, the prohibition of resembling the disbelievers is towards the recognized symbols of their religion. When the matter is lifted (fades its value towards a community), then it is included under the general matter which is permissible by shara’. (Refer Dhawabith al-Tasyabbuh al-Manhiy ‘Anhu: 34-35)
Also, in this matter, Imam Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani while discussing on the permissibility of wearing a headgear named as taylasan which was the eminence of the Jews, but its religious value has faded, said:
وَإِنَّمَا يَصْلُحُ الِاسْتِدْلَالُ بِقِصَّةِ الْيَهُودِ فِي الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي تَكُونُ الطَّيَالِسَةُ مِنْ شِعَارِهِمْ وَقَدِ ارْتَفَعَ ذَلِكَ فِي هَذِهِ الْأَزْمِنَةِ فَصَارَ دَاخِلًا فِي عُمُوم الْمُبَاح
Indeed, it is significant to the matter related to Jews as the dalil (the permissibility of wearing taylasan) in which the tayalisah (a garment) was their eminence long time before, but lost its religious value this day. So, it becomes general matter permitted by shara’. (Refer Fath al-Bari Syarh Sahih al-Bukhari, 10:275)
The same is stated by Imam al-Bujairimi in the issue of paying for kaffarah by giving the taylasan / tayalisah shawl:
وَبِأَنَّ الطَّيَالِسَةَ الْآنَ لَيْسَتْ مِنْ شِعَارِهِمْ بَلْ ارْتَفَعَ فِي زَمَانِنَا وَصَارَ دَاخِلًا فِي عُمُومِ الْمُبَاحِ وَقَدْ ذَكَرَهُ ابْنُ عَبْدِ السَّلَامِ فِي الْبِدَعِ الْمُبَاحَةِ. قَالَ ابْنُ حَجَرٍ: وَقَدْ يَصِيرُ مِنْ شِعَارِ قَوْمٍ فَيَصِيرُ تَرْكُهُ مُخِلًّا بِالْمُرُوءَةِ اهـ.
And due to wearing al-tayalisah this day has not become their eminence anymore (Jews and Christians), it even has been elevated during this day and changes into one of the general permissible matter. This is already mentioned by Ibn Abd al-Salam in permissible bid’ah. Ibn Hajar said: When something has become a symbol of a group of people (the good people like the scholars), so, abandoning it will tear one’s dignity. (Refer Tuhfat al-Habib ‘Ala Syarh al-Khatib, 3:367).
So, it refers back to the ruling of permissible when its ‘illah which is a specific eminence of the religion or a group of people is lifted. In this matter, the legal maxim states:
الحُكْمُ يَدُورُ مَعَ عِلَّتِهِ وُجُودًا وَ عَدَمًا
The ruling revolves around its ‘illah; come into existence or not
Thus, if the ornaments have become a general use and have not become the specific eminence of a particular religion or group of people anymore, then the ruling of wearing clover leaf ornaments is permissible.
Even if it is still considered as the symbol of Christianity and Trinity, it still has to be seen through repulsiveness of the tasyabbuh itself whether it is apparent or not. So, in this situation, it is best for us to avoid purchasing and wearing such ornaments. This is like what is said by Ibn Solah in his Fatawa:
والتشبه بالكفار قد يكون مَكْرُوها وَقد يكون حَرَامًا وَذَلِكَ على حسب الْفُحْش فِيهِ قلَّة وَكَثْرَة وَالله أعلم
The ruling of resembling (tasyabbuh) the disbelievers may become makruh and haram according to its level of repulsiveness whether a little or many. Wallahu a’lam. (Refer Fatawa Ibn Solah, 2:473)
Based on the above statement, even wearing things considered as a symbol of the Christians and Trinity, but it is not recognized as hideous or repulsive as wearing the Cross, its ruling is makruh. This is because it carries the preconception (wahm) that it is a symbol of a particular religion, and it is included as syubhah matters. So, in this situation, it is best for one to avoid purchasing and wearing such ornaments. The Prophet PBUH said:
إنَّ الْحَلَالَ بَيِّنٌ، وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنْ النَّاسِ، فَمَنْ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ فَقْد اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ، وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ
That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful
Jami’ al-Tirmidhi (1205)
While purposely wearing it with the intention of resembling the disbelievers and considering it as the symbol of the religion is haram and sinful.
Wallahu a’lam.
Reference
[1] https://www.almanac.com/news/gardening/gardening-advice/clover-shamrocks-and-oxalis-whats-difference
[2] https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.89266/page/n29/mode/2up