Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Is it permissible to check monthly horoscopes to foretell impending dangers?

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The Messenger of Allah(sws) said: 'Whoever approaches an oracle or fortuneteller and believes in what he says, he has nothing to do with what has been sent down to Muhammad .' [Sunan Abu Dawood Book 29, Number 3895

As-salamu alaykum,

I request my dear brother & sister or whoever is reading my post, please let me know if astrology is permitted in ISLAM?

Or to check monthly horoscope which foretells you about your impending dangers or anything, on your way???

Please shed some light on this issue?

Thanking in advance,
Khuda hafiz !

~Eternal


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14 Responses »

  1. Salamualaikum,

    Astrology is Haraam in Islam. It has been mentioned so in the Qur'aan and the Ahadeeth. Going to an astrologer is a sin, and is a huge sin, because you should know that none can know the future except Allah. Astrology claims to tell the future which is 'Ilm al Ghaib (Knowledge of the unseen) which is known only to Allah.

    May Allah keep us away from such things
    Aameen
    Wassalamualaikum
    Muhammad Waseem

  2. Astrology par se is not haram and is not 'ilm gaib (knowledge of the unseen)'.. No one can tell what would exactly happen in the future except Allah, this knowledge belongs to Allah only.. The astrologist would tell you that rain would fall tomorrow or next at a particular place and at a particular time., there is nothing special there because the rain is already in the cloud and they use it to measure/calculate the exact time and place the rain would fall.... And atimes they used the data of rainfall of the previous years... The miracle would be if the astronomer can inform you the place and time rain would fall in the next 6 month or next 2 years... And i bet you no astronomer would be able to predict such...
    Astronomy etc are knowledge that is open to human kind, and they do it every where. So its not an ilm gaib and its not haram...

    • Brother Mohd, you are confusing astrology with astronomy. Astronomy is the study of the stars, planets, moons, etc, from a scientific perspective. There is nothing wrong with this.

      Astrology is the belief that the stars somehow control our destiny. This is absolutely haram and shirk.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  3. "Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." [Reported by Abu Hurayrah and collected by Ahmad and Abu Daawood (Sunan Abu Dawud (English Trans.), vol. 3, p. 1095, no. 3895).]

    Yes, astrology without a doubt is haraam in Islam. One of the fundamental belief in Islam is that the knowledge of the unseen lies with Allah swt alone. No good can happen to you, nor any harm without Allah's will. And there is no power except with Allah swt. We only know what He has taught us or what He has given us the ability to learn. And no person, thing or creature - no one except Allah swt has knowledge of the future.

    So any association with astrology - whether it is believing in horoscopes, seeing fortune tellers or anything like that is completely haraam. It is a form of shirk because you are taking an attribute that is reserved only for Allah swt for the stars or for the fortune teller.

    "Not only is the practice of astrology Haraam as mentioned in my other articles also, but also visiting an astrologist and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one’s horoscope are also forbidden! Since astrology is mainly used for predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortune-tellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet’s statement:

    "The Salaah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortune-teller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights." [Reported by Hafsah and collected by Muslim (Sahih Muslim (English Trans.), vol. 4, p. 1211, no. 5440).]

    The punishment in this Hadeeth is simply for approaching and asking the astrologist, even if one is in doubt about the truth of his statements. If one is in doubt about the truth or falsehood of astrological information, he is in doubt about whether or not others know the unseen and the future besides Allaah. This is a form of Shirk because Allaah has clearly stated:

    "With Him are the keys to the unseen and none knows it except Him" [Soorah al-An`aa,m 6:59]

    "Say: None in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allaah." [Soorah an-Naml 27:65]

    If, however, one believes in the predictions of their horoscope, whether spoken by an astrologist or written in books of astrology, he falls directly into Kufr (disbelief) as stated by the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam)

    "Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." [Reported by Abu Hurayrah and collected by Ahmad and Abu Daawood (Sunan Abu Dawud (English Trans.), vol. 3, p. 1095, no. 3895).]

    Like the previous Hadeeth, this Hadeeth literally refers to the fortune-teller but it is just as applicable to the astrologist. Both claim knowledge of the future. The astrologist’s claim is just as opposed to Tawheed as the ordinary fortune-teller. He claims that people’s personalities are determined by the stars, and their future actions and the events of their lives are written in the stars. The ordinary fortune-teller claims that the formation of tea leaves at the bottom of a cup, or lines in a palm tell him the same thing. In both cases individuals claim the ability to read in the physical formation of created objects knowledge of the unseen.

    Belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islaam. It is really the empty soul, which has not tasted real Eemaan (belief) that seeks out these paths. Essentially these paths, represent a vain attempt to escape Qadar (fate). The ignorant believe that if they know what is in store for them tomorrow, they can prepare from today. In that way they may avoid the bad and ensure the good. Yet, Allaah’s messenger was told by Allaah to say: "If I knew the unseen, I would surely have only sought the good. But, I am only a warner and a bearer of glad tidings for believers." [Al-Qur'an Soorah al-A`raaf 7:188]

    True Muslims are therefore obliged to stay far away from these areas. Thus, rings, chains, etc., which have the signs of the Zodiac on them should not be worn, even if one does not believe in them. They are part and parcel of a fabricated system which propagates Kufr and should be done away with entirely. No believing Muslim should ask another what his sign is, or attempt to guess his sign. Nor should he or she read horoscope columns in newspapers or listen to them read. And, any Muslim who allows astrological predictions to determine his actions, should seek Allaah’s forgiveness and renew his Islaam.

    Another useful link: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/22445

    Sara
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  4. Astrology is utterly forbidden in Islam and is considered to be shirk, which is associating partners with Allah. Even to check your horoscope in the newspaper is considered an act of kufr (disbelief). One who does this has believed in the stars, and disbelieved in Allah.

    Here is what Shaikh Salih Al-Munajjid has to say about it on Islamqa.info:

    Praise be to Allaah.

    Al-Bukhaari said in his Saheeh: Qutaadah said: “Allaah created these stars for three purposes: to adorn the heavens, to stone the devils and as signs by which to navigate. Whoever seeks anything else in them is mistaken and does not benefit from them, and he is wasting his time and effort in seeking something of which he has no knowledge.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Baab fi’l-Nujoom, 2/240)

    The study of the stars is divided into two kinds:

    1- Study of the influence of the stars (astrology)

    2- Study of the positions and movements of the stars (astronomy)

    Study of the influence of the stars (astrology) is divided into three categories:

    1 – The belief that these stars have a real influence in the sense that they create events and evil. This is major shirk (shirk akbar), because whoever claims that there is another creator alongside Allaah is a mushrik in the sense of major shirk, for he is regarding a created thing that is subjugated as a creator which subjugates.

    2 – Making this a reason to claim to have knowledge of the unseen, so from the movements and changes in the stars he deduces that such and such will happen because such and such has happened to such and such a star. For example, he may say that one person’s life will be miserable because he was born under this star, and that another person’s life will be happy because he was born under that star. This person is taking knowledge of the stars as a means to claim that he has knowledge of the unseen, and claiming to have knowledge of the unseen is kufr (disbelief) which puts one beyond the pale of Islam, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

    “Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb (Unseen) except Allaah” - [al-Naml 29:65]

    The grammatical structure used in the original Arabic – starting with the negation laa (translated here as “none”) followed by the word illa (“except”) – is one of the most emphatic ways of expressing exclusivity. So if a person claims to know the unseen, he is effectively disbelieving what the Qur’aan says.

    3 – If he believes that the stars are the cause of good or bad things happening, this is minor shirk (shirk asghar), i.e., when something happens he attributes it to the stars (and only attributes it to the stars after it has happened). The basic principle is that whoever believes that one thing is the cause of another when Allaah has not made it so, is overstepping the mark and not acknowledging Allaah as He should be acknowledged, because the One Who makes things happen is Allaah alone.

    For example, if a person seeks healing from a piece of string (tied around his wrist), and says, “I believe that healing is in the hand of Allaah and this string is simply the means,” we would say to him, “You have saved yourself from major shirk but you have fallen into lesser shirk, because Allaah has not made string a clear means of healing. By doing this you have transgressed against His position of Controller and Sustainer, by making something a means to something else when Allaah has not made it so.”

    The same applies to one who regards the stars as the cause of rainfall when this is not the case. The evidence for that is the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (801) and Muslim (104) from Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani who said: “The Messenger of Allaah SAWs (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led us in praying Fajr at al-Hudaybiyah, following rainfall during the night. When he had finished praying, he turned to the people and said, ‘Do you know what your Lord has said?’ They said, ‘Allaah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘This morning one of My slaves became a believer in Me and one became a disbeliever. As for the one who said, “We have been given rain by virtue of Allaah and His mercy,” he is a believer in Me and a disbeliever in the stars. But as for the one who said, “We have been given rain by such and such a star,” he is a disbeliever in Me and a believer in the stars.’” So the one who attributes rain to the stars is saying that the stars caused the rain.

    Study of the positions and movements of the stars (astronomy) is divided into two categories:

    1 – If their movements are used to define things that serve a religious purpose, this is something that is necessary. If that helps in the case of religious obligations, then learning it is obligatory, such as using the stars to determine the direction of the qiblah (direction of Makkah).

    2 – If their movements are used to define things that serve a worldly purpose, there is nothing wrong with that. This is of two types:

    (a) Using the stars to work out directions, such as knowing that the pole lies to the north, and that the Pole Star, which is close to it, revolves around the North Pole. This is permissible. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

    “And landmarks (signposts, during the day) and by the stars (during the night), they (mankind) guide themselves”

    [al-Nahl 16:16]

    (b) Using the stars to work out the seasons, through learning the phases of the moon. Some of the salaf regarded this as makrooh while others permitted it. The correct view is that it is permissible and there is nothing makrooh in it, because there is no shirk involved in it, unless one learns it in order to attribute rainfall or cold weather to it, and says that this is what is causing that. That is a kind of shirk. But simply knowing the time of year from it, whether it is spring or autumn or winter, there is nothing wrong with that.

    See al-Qawl al-Mufeed by Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 2/102.

    Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

    ***************************************

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • I have a very old friend who is a Muslim though she and her husband believe in astrology. when his business was badly hit they went to see a celebrity astrologer whom bollywood actors and politicians approached. now quite obviously this man was super duper expensive and I told her it won't work coz he will drain them off whatever little they have but she was adamant.

      when they were driving on their way a strange accident took place and it involved a stray dog on the highway. it was strange because the car was in a bad shape but dog was alive and it almost ran to the other side. Although there was smoke bellowing out and water leaking it didn't didn't stop nor did they try to go back home. the mechanic never bought the dog story. he was dead sure that they were lying.

      Anyway they reached his office and he gave them some verses to chant and some stones to wear on certain days and they did all that and their business flourished and all the credit was given to the astrologer.

      now I wonder if they will b forgiven coz she just thinks its science and I have tried to explain that it isn't yet I have failed I even explained that the verses were satanic and the accident was a sign for them to stop but the bottom line was ''I don't care what it was but it worked. we were in bad shape and it helped''

      • It's a huge sin. Their believing in it is shirk. This is why it's so dangerous to see these people. Allah has blessed this couple with some rizk, but instead of thanking Him they are giving the credit to a fortune-teller, astaghfirullah.

        Wael
        IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  5. Indeed i confused astronomy with astrology and i humbly stand to be corrected... I withdraw my statement, and i accept the advice given by brother wael, sister sara and brother wassim

  6. to all my brothers & sisters, who have taken the pain of answering my question and showing me the right path ! thanks a lot !

    i was completely misguided and very much ashamed of my stupidity. please pray for me, i am in very much distress and seek Allah's blessings and forgiveness too................!

    thanks again for showing me the right path. may Allah bless you all !

    WS.

    • May Allah continue to guide you and protect you. He has saved you and now it is up to you to live a good Islamic life and feed your mind and your soul so your Iman increases and you depend and rely on Allah alone. Yes the future is VERY scary because we don't know what will happen but imagine knowing what will happen, we will be even more scared every second because we know death will be inevitable and we will just be waiting for all the bad things that will happen in our lives without being able to change them. It is a blessing and a MERCY from Allah that we have no knowledge of the future, only Allah knows and the knowledge only belongs to Him for a good reason.

      One good thing about not knowing how the future is going to be is being able to make it however you want it to be (by Allah's will). You are not doomed to one thing, you can change yourself and be a better person and a better Muslim every single day. Bad things will always happen to us but that is just life, with Allah's help we will get through everything, we just need to believe in Allah's decree (Qadr) and know that whatever He gives us and puts us through is far superior to what we want for ourselves and He has full knowledge of everything.

  7. Assalamualaikum,
    I know and do believe, going to a future-teller is Haraam. But about ten years ago I went to a future-teller just out of curiosity, he saw the lines of my hand, and I have experienced some of his prophecies became true. I became confused ( May Allah Forgive and save me). Will anybody explain it please so that I can make my belief profound.

    • Some of their sayings come true because they narrate what the Shaitan informs them of Allah's Decree, by adding a hundred lies to it. Shaitan goes near the heavens to listen to what the angels are talking about ( though many of them are shot by angels) and they inform the fortune tellers about it. They then tell the visitor that, proving themselves right. The visitor then believes in it, leading him or her to Kufr, like the kufr of the fortune teller. May Allah Protect us.

      If you have any more question, please login and submit a new post.

      Abu Abdul Bari
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Istiak, there are a couple of explanations. One is mentioned by the Prophet (sws), that the devils among the jinns go close to Jannah where they hear the secrets of the unseen; then they mix one truth with nine lies. Another thing is that these fortune tellers give very general or universal predictions that can apply to anyone.

      For example:

      "I sense that you feel worried about money. But have hope; some money will soon come to you unexpectedly."

      First of all, everyone is worried about money. Secondly this prediction is so generic that you could apply it to anything. You get a bonus at work, a friend pays back a debt, or you even find a few dollars in your pocket unexpectedly and you think, "Wow, that fortune teller was right!"

      Similarly, the fortune-teller might have "insights" into your love life problems, family problems, or self-esteem issues. These are universal problems that everyone experiences and the solutions are equally universal.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  8. Whatever you do please stay away from this. This is a grave sin. This will take you out of Islam instantly and if you die in this state you die in shirk and shirk is THE unforgivable sin. You will never be able to get out of it. Something that seems harmless is just so deadly to our faith. May Allah forgive and guide all those who believe in these things unknowingly and may He forgive and guide the Muslims who are doing the astrology/fortune telling without knowing the full consequences of what they are doing. May He guide us all before death and keep us safe from all forms of shirk, both major and minor and may He forgive us for all of our other deadly major sins. Ameen.

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