Bismillahir Rahmaanir
Raheem
LETTER
SIXTEEN
Horoscopes
Question
As-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi
wa-Barakaatuhu
My question is that should we
believe in horoscopes and signs, because sometimes I read things about my sign
and the prediction that is written for my sign upsets me, if there is something
scary. I want to know whether this information is true or useless. Please
clarify this.
May Allah bless you.
Reply
Bismihi
Ta’ala
Sister in Islam,
Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu
1.) It is Haraam (forbidden) to
believe in horoscopes. You should not even look at it in newspapers, etc. Make
sincere Taubah. It is useless information but very dangerous for one’s
Imaan.
2.) Fortune tellers are disbelievers
because they are claiming to have knowledge of the Unseen, which is exclusive
to Allah Ta’ala. It is a money-making industry which millions have become easy
prey to. Reading palms, looking into crystal balls, reading tarot cards, etc.
are all Haraam.
3.) Moreover, a person who believes
in such fortune telling, that is, that the fortune teller has the knowledge of
the Unseen, loses his Imaan.
Allah Ta‘ala states clearly: "Say, 'None in the
heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah…” ( Surah An-Naml 27 : 65)
Rasulullah (Sallalaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever goes to a fortune teller or a
soothsayer and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to
Muhammad (Sallalaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam).”
4.) If one reads horoscopes or visits
such people out of curiosity but does not believe, then too the person has
committed a serious sin. It is mentioned in a Hadeeth: “Whoever goes to a
fortune teller and asks him about something, his prayers will not be accepted
for forty nights.” (Of course, the person will have to pray, as well as sincerely repent for the sin).
5.) All in all, this is a very grave and major sin which many Muslims take lightly, spending a lot of time and money in having
their futures being read. We seek Allah Ta’ala’s Protection.
Was-Salaamu alaykum
wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu
Yunus Patel (Maulana)
