Why the Tie is Not a Symbol of a Cross With Clear Cut Arguments
C.J Ahmed-01.05.2023
The neck tie is a normal fashion trend among men today but the religious opposition to tie is based on the similarity it has towards the cross but historical evidence suggest otherwise. The neck tie was worn by Croatian mercenaries. During the thirty years war the Hravat or the Croatians wore the neck tie which is also worn on celebrated on the cravat day and is more a military symbol than a religious one.
The neck tie has been linked to the Christian cross by mainly Muslims who are against wearing it nd try to bring an analogy that the neck tie is haram (prohibited). There is no reliable source of evidnce to back is claim and no major Christian denomination accepts that the neck tie is symbolic to them.
An article published in th Washington post dated December 8, 1999 stated he following about the neck tie,
“In the 2nd century A.D., Roman legionnaires probably didn't think of themselves as reflecting a trend when they tied bands of cloth around their necks. Most likely, they were just looking for protection from the weather.
Some historians have called the legionnaires' adornments the first neckwear. But others cite the excavation near the Chinese city of Xi'an of 3rd century B.C. terra-cotta statues of warriors who wore neck scarves in the belief that they were protecting the source of their strength, their Adam's apples.
Most experts, however, date the initial appearance of the modern precursor of the tie to 1636. Croatian mercenaries, hired in Paris by King Louis XIV, wore cloth bands around their necks to ward off natural elements, which in their line of work included sword slashes.” (Link- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/1999/12/08/a-twisted-history-of-neckties/d59c6d2d-5d38-42cf-843e-27abcdc524d7/)
The conspiracy surrounding the neck tie is due to the shape and the Muslim argument that the neck tie is a symbol of Christianity has no proof whatsoever. One webite belonging to the Sufi Qadiri sect had the following to say,
Whichever (of these), which are considered to be symbols of non-Muslims or of sinful and disobedient persons, it is absolutely forbidden to adopt it willingly without a lawful reason, even if it is a single thing for it that will certainly bring resemblance with them in this very way. This very reason is enough to inhibit (its use), notwithstanding, no resemblance exists in other manners. It is just like the rose and urine. In case there is a full glass of rose water which has one drop of urine, the entire glass is impure as well, as if it is full of urine. After going ahead, he (A'la Hadrat) quoted the special injunction concerning the very issue to establish its identity as a symbol. Accordingly, he states - "Ashbaho Nazair" briefly states, "The worship of Idol is Kufr (infidelity) as well as fastening the band of Jews and Christians, it is alike no matter if the person enters their Church or if he doesn't." (Fatawa Razvia, Part 2, Vol. 10, page-148-151)
There is only speculation on this and there I no concrete historical or archaeological evidence to prove that the neck tie has any significance with Christianity or any other religion.
The neck tie is a normal fashion trend among men today but the religious opposition to tie is based on the similarity it has towards the cross but historical evidence suggest otherwise. The neck tie was worn by Croatian mercenaries. During the thirty years war the Hravat or the Croatians wore the neck tie which is also worn on celebrated on the cravat day and is more a military symbol than a religious one.
The neck tie has been linked to the Christian cross by mainly Muslims who are against wearing it nd try to bring an analogy that the neck tie is haram (prohibited). There is no reliable source of evidnce to back is claim and no major Christian denomination accepts that the neck tie is symbolic to them.
An article published in th Washington post dated December 8, 1999 stated he following about the neck tie,
“In the 2nd century A.D., Roman legionnaires probably didn't think of themselves as reflecting a trend when they tied bands of cloth around their necks. Most likely, they were just looking for protection from the weather.
Some historians have called the legionnaires' adornments the first neckwear. But others cite the excavation near the Chinese city of Xi'an of 3rd century B.C. terra-cotta statues of warriors who wore neck scarves in the belief that they were protecting the source of their strength, their Adam's apples.
Most experts, however, date the initial appearance of the modern precursor of the tie to 1636. Croatian mercenaries, hired in Paris by King Louis XIV, wore cloth bands around their necks to ward off natural elements, which in their line of work included sword slashes.” (Link- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/1999/12/08/a-twisted-history-of-neckties/d59c6d2d-5d38-42cf-843e-27abcdc524d7/)
The conspiracy surrounding the neck tie is due to the shape and the Muslim argument that the neck tie is a symbol of Christianity has no proof whatsoever. One webite belonging to the Sufi Qadiri sect had the following to say,
Whichever (of these), which are considered to be symbols of non-Muslims or of sinful and disobedient persons, it is absolutely forbidden to adopt it willingly without a lawful reason, even if it is a single thing for it that will certainly bring resemblance with them in this very way. This very reason is enough to inhibit (its use), notwithstanding, no resemblance exists in other manners. It is just like the rose and urine. In case there is a full glass of rose water which has one drop of urine, the entire glass is impure as well, as if it is full of urine. After going ahead, he (A'la Hadrat) quoted the special injunction concerning the very issue to establish its identity as a symbol. Accordingly, he states - "Ashbaho Nazair" briefly states, "The worship of Idol is Kufr (infidelity) as well as fastening the band of Jews and Christians, it is alike no matter if the person enters their Church or if he doesn't." (Fatawa Razvia, Part 2, Vol. 10, page-148-151)
There is only speculation on this and there I no concrete historical or archaeological evidence to prove that the neck tie has any significance with Christianity or any other religion.