It is also a symbol in Islamic eschatology (heralding the advent of the Mahdi), though this tradition is weak according to hadithic standards.

Among these standards, the rāya was a square banner; not to be confused with the liwāʾ or ʿalam, an identifying mark like a red turban.

[4] It further states that Muhammad had an ʿalam in white nicknamed "the Young Eagle" (العقاب, al-ʿuqāb); and a rāya in black, said to be made from his wife Aisha's head-cloth.

[6] The hadith reports Muhammad said that the advent of the Mahdi would be signalled by Black Standards proceeding from Khorasan and that it will be the flag of the army that will fight the Masih ad-Dajjal.

[7][8][9] At the Battle of Siffin, according to tradition, Ali used the liwāʾ of the Prophet, which was white[2][3] while those who fought against him instead used black banners.

On 21 July 1848, under orders from the Báb, the Bábí leader Mullá Husayn raised the Black Standard in Mashhad (in Iran's Khorasan Province) and began a march westwards.