The history of the Islamic flags dates back to the Pre-Islamic Era (Al-Jahilya).ISLAM has NEVER associated itself with object, colours and symbols.

Quraish  Flag

 But due to political and so many other reasons,flag was requried to give a standard for Muslims ,esspecially during the wars.So,The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) allowed and start using only solid colour flags (black,white,yellow,red,green and even zebra-striped,2.with Sahadah or not) for only one purpose to recognize Muslims from others (battles) without any objects,symbols and esspecially is forbiden to use ALIVE Creatures on the flags (Qur'an: Al-Baqarah 2/189 ; Al-Isra' 17/12 ; Al-Mulk 67/5 etc.)

"Al-Uqaab" The major flag of The Prophet (s.a.w.s)

Also used by :

• Al-Rashida (4 Caliphs after Muhammad a.s,including Hasan's era)[632-661]
• Ummayyad's Caliphate [ 661-750 ]
• Abdullah bin Zubair Caliphate [ 683-692 ]
• Ibn Ashas Caliphate,Iraq [ 701-702 ]
• Abbasids Caliphate [ 749-1258 ]
• Khorosan by Abu-Moslem (Iran) [747-755]
  
• Fatmids of N.Africa [ 909-1171 ]
• Ummayyads of Iberia [ 929-1031 ]
• Hammoods of Iberia [ 1010-1055 ]
• Muhaddin of N.Africa [1130-1269 ]
• Khorasm Shahdom of Persia (Iran) [ 1096-1231 ]
• Khiljis of India [1316-1321]
• Ottomans [ 1518-1924 ]
• Ghilzai Empire of Persia (Iran) [1722-1729]
  
• Caliphate of Sharifs of Hijaz [ 1924-1925 ]
• Afghanistan [ 1880-1901 ]                
  
• Velayat of Qandahar and maybe more...If you know let me know!

Other minor flags were known as "Al-Raya" :

"Al-Liwaa" White Flag

Used by:

• Muhammad a.s. era and 4 Caliphs including Hasan's time too
• Ummayyad Caliphate [ 661-750 ]
• Ummayyads of Iberia
• Other Caliphates used white flag at same time
• Afganistan [ 1996-1997 ]

Red Flag

Used by:

• Al-Rashidun Caliphate [632-661]
• Khorosan Empire [ 747-755 ]
• Qarinid Principality [ 839 ]
• Alaouite Dynasty (Morrocco) [1666-1915]
• Ottoman Empire [ 1793-1923 ]
  
• Muscat,(Oman) [1820-1970 ]
  
• Yemen [ 1918-1923 ]

"Green Flag"

Green flag is favorite Muslims flag and has a special place in ISLAM.Why ? There is few versions:

-Was Muhammad a.s. favorite colour and that he wore a green cloak and turban.

-Others believe it symbolize vegetation and life

-Some says that after Muhammad a.s.,only Caliphs can wear green garments and turbans

- QUR'AN (Surah 18:31) said that the inhabitants of paradise will wear green garments of fine silk.

So,while the reference to the Holy Book is verifiable,this versions are not clear.Used by:

• Al-Rashidun Caliphate [632-661]
  
• Fatimid Caliphate [909-1171]
• Abbasids under Al-Mamun [813]
  
• Alawid Emirate (Iran) [864-928]
• Ismaili State of Alamut [1097-1256 ]
• Libya [1977-2011]

"Yellow Flag"

Used by:

• Al-Rashidun Caliphate [632-661]
  
• Ayyubid Dynasty [1171-1341]

 

Used By:  Eyalet Trebizond [1461-1864 ]

 Flags with "Sahadah" or not are used from The Prophet a.s. era till today.

Black Flag w white Sahadah is used offen for battles.

White Flag with black Sahadah is used for campaigns etc.

***Sahadah (arabic) means: There is no god but Allah,and Muhammad s.a.w.s is His messenger.

So,from what we know,let see what other flags looks like following Muhammad a.s. example and Islamic law :

Battle Flag used by Abbasid's [ 750-1258 ]

Battle Flag used by Abu Molsem Khorosani [ 747-755 ]

Flag of Saffarid Emirates [ 800-1400*** ]

Battle Flag of Saffarid Emirates

Flag of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznevi [999-1030]

Flag used by Abbasid's [750-1258]

Flag of Morrocco [ 780-1070 and 1258-1659]

Flag of Morrocco [ 1073-1147 ]

  Ottoman Flag [ 1383-1453 ]

Flag of Yemen [ 1923-1927 ]

Flag of Nejd [1926-1932 ]

Flag used by Afghan-Taliban

 

 

Let see now all kind of diffirent flags by Muhammad a.s. example and Islamic law  :

Note: By previous flags today esspecially in the Arab world we can see adoption and mixed colours on the Arab flags.

Flag of Andalusia (Spain) [ 800 ? ]

Flag of Ifranid Dynasty (Morrocco) [790-1066]

Flag of Mamluks(Egypt) [1250-1517 ]

Flag of Morrocco [1147-1269]

   Ottoman (Land) Flag [ 1793-1923 ]

Flag of the Saudi State-Nejd [1818-1891]

Afshar Imperial flag (Iran) [1736-1794]

Afshar Battle flag (Iran) [1736-1794]

Velayat of Herat (Iran) [1737-1794]

Flag of Ibrahim Shah & Shahrock Mirza Afsharid [1737- 1795 ]

Tamerlame Flag [ 1381 ]

Shah Safi II Saffavid Dynasty [ 1666-1694 ]

Flag of Algeria [1700]

Flag of Bahrain [ 1820-1932 ]

Flag of Bosnia [ 1908-1918 ]

  Emirates of Ha'il (Hejaz,Saudi Arabia) [1920-1921 / 1926-1932 ]

Flag of Afghanistan [ 1929 ]

 

Flag of Afghanistan [1978]

Flag of Afghanistan [ 1992 ]

Flag of Arab Federation [ 1958 ]

Flag of Arab Revolt

Flag of Palestine

Flag of Iraq [ 2008- ]

Flag of Qatar

Flag of Kuwait

Flag of United Arab Emirates

Flag of Indonesia

Flag of Nigeria

Flag of Sudan

Flag of Mali

Flag of Guinea

Flag of Sierra Leone

Flag of Chad

Flag of Gambia

 

If I made any mistake (probably I did) please let me know to fixed.

If you have or know any flag which I know a lot of them missing,please posted here with explanetion,I would be glad to see But only those who lead as example of Muhammad s.a.w.s . Esspecially from the 650 - 1400 period .Thank you!

NOTICE: Flags with Crescent,Crescent and star,swords,live Creatures etc. will be posted in new topic with explanation,why?,from where ? etc.

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Please,read comment #4.

very good job Mirza, thank you very much for your hard work indeed

Nice Job , Ilike it Thanks for sharing wonder ful knowledge , BTW where is Pakistan Flag ?

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Read comment # 4.

ehehehehe

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That's something we can disscus a lot about it.

Very good collection,I can imagen how much time is spent for research.Thank you.

Some ppl doesn't read,they just look into nice colours and what's in their interest.Knowledge is power!

I like , hard work and good job , is there tunisian flag .

nice research