What is the ruling on what is known nowadays as the monument to the Unknown Soldier?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Erecting monuments to famous prominent people who played a
role in building the nation in the fields of knowledge, economy and
politics, and erecting a monument to what is known as the “Unknown Soldier”
are all actions of jaahiliyyah and a kind of exaggeration, because we see
them holding remembrance ceremonies around these monuments on special
occasions and putting flowers on them to honour them. This is akin to the
idolatry of ancient times, and is a means that leads to major shirk – we
seek refuge with Allaah.
It is essential to put an
end to these customs so as to preserve the belief of Tawheed (belief in the
Oneness of Allaah) and to prevent extravagance for no benefit and so as to
avoid imitating or resembling the kuffaar in their customs and traditions in
which there is nothing good, and which rather lead to serious evil.