1. Astrologer (نجومی)
An astrologer is one who practices or claims expertise in astrology.
Astrology (علمِ نجوم)
Astrology is the attempt to deduce earthly events from celestial movements.
Astrologers falsely claim they can predict things such as rainfall, wind, heat, cold, and other occurrences merely by observing the stars’ conjunctions and separations, and that the earthly order follows stellar demands. Such claims amount to intruding upon the treasures of Allah’s unseen knowledge. This branch is called “ʿIlm at-Taʾthīr” (the science of supposed stellar influence).
2. Soothsayer / Fortuneteller (کاهن)
A soothsayer is one who practices “Kahānah” (soothsaying).
Soothsaying (فنِ کہانت)
Kahānah is the craft of claiming knowledge of the unseen and future, allegedly by stealing information from jinn who eavesdrop on the speech of angels. Such people are far fewer today than in pre-Islamic times, because Allah protects heavenly news with shooting stars. They often masquerade as saints or mystics, but in reality they are allies of devils, not friends of Allah.
Modern counterparts put up signs as “palmists” or “professors” promising, *“Ask whatever you wish—every desire fulfilled!”* Going to them for treatment or to reveal one’s destiny (e.g., showing one’s palm) is shirk.
Indeed, astrology was even branded a form of sorcery:
And Allah says concerning magicians:
3. Why Astrologers & Palmists Ruin Young Lives
A detailed investigative report (Monthly “Khwatīn” magazine, Lahore, June 2004) recounts tragic stories of how fraudulent “spiritual healers” exploit desperate youth, extort money, and shatter futures. One BSc student spent tens of thousands of rupees—and even participated in sacrilegious rituals—just to force a married woman to divorce so he could marry her. After months of deception, the “healer” vanished with the money.
Similarly, a female M.A. student narrates how a famed palmist demanded ₨27,000 merely to “remove bad luck,” and ₨50,000 for “black magic” to secure her desired marriage. Another “white-magic specialist” bled her for owls, peacock pairs, and eleven talismanic papers, yet nothing changed except her financial ruin and emotional breakdown.
Such accounts prove the Qurʾān and Sunnah true: abandoning divine guidance and dissatisfaction with fate lead only to worldly loss—while the torment of the Hereafter is far worse. May Allah protect us. Āmīn.
4. The Permissible Branch: ʿIlm at-Taysīr
One lawful subset of astronomy is “ʿIlm at-Taysīr” — learning the lunar and solar positions to:
Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and Isḥāq ibn Rāhwayh deemed this permissible. Al-Khaṭṭābī wrote that any stellar knowledge based on observation and report—such as knowing the sun’s zenith to find direction—is not forbidden. Imām Mujāhid approved learning the moon’s mansions for the same reason: no fear of shirk or kufr arises at this level. Likewise, Ibrāhīm an-Nakhaʿī allowed using stars merely for navigation.
The majority of scholars therefore permit studying astronomy up to locating roads and the Qiblah. Beyond that, it becomes falsehood.
Even determining eclipse times is allowed.
5. Why the Stars Were Created
Imām al-Bukhārī headings “Book of the Beginning of Creation – Chapter on the Stars” cites three purposes for which Allah created the stars:
He then said: “Whoever claims anything beyond these has erred greatly, lost his share of the Hereafter, and burdened himself with what he has no knowledge of.”
The Qurʾān supports these purposes:
6. Doubts & Their Removal
Objection 1: “Sometimes astrologers’ predictions come true, so astrology must be real.”
Objection 2: Some cite the verse, “And (He placed) landmarks—and by the stars they are guided” (Naḥl 16:16) as proof that stars reveal the unseen.
Conclusion
Consulting astrologers, palmists, or soothsayers is unequivocally forbidden and ranks among the gravest sins, equated with disbelief and sorcery in authentic texts. The only sanctioned study of celestial bodies is that which aids worship and navigation—nothing more. Trust in Allah, accept His decree, and protect yourself and others from these destructive superstitions.
An astrologer is one who practices or claims expertise in astrology.
Astrology (علمِ نجوم)
Astrology is the attempt to deduce earthly events from celestial movements.
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 35/181)
Astrologers falsely claim they can predict things such as rainfall, wind, heat, cold, and other occurrences merely by observing the stars’ conjunctions and separations, and that the earthly order follows stellar demands. Such claims amount to intruding upon the treasures of Allah’s unseen knowledge. This branch is called “ʿIlm at-Taʾthīr” (the science of supposed stellar influence).
(Al-Qawl al-Mufīd 2/125)
2. Soothsayer / Fortuneteller (کاهن)
A soothsayer is one who practices “Kahānah” (soothsaying).
Soothsaying (فنِ کہانت)
Kahānah is the craft of claiming knowledge of the unseen and future, allegedly by stealing information from jinn who eavesdrop on the speech of angels. Such people are far fewer today than in pre-Islamic times, because Allah protects heavenly news with shooting stars. They often masquerade as saints or mystics, but in reality they are allies of devils, not friends of Allah.
(Taysīr al-ʿAzīz al-Ḥamīd, p. 405)
Modern counterparts put up signs as “palmists” or “professors” promising, *“Ask whatever you wish—every desire fulfilled!”* Going to them for treatment or to reveal one’s destiny (e.g., showing one’s palm) is shirk.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever goes to a soothsayer or astrologer and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.”
(Musnad Aḥmad 2/429, no. 9536; Mustadrak al-Ḥākim 1/8)
He ﷺ also said:
“Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb as-Salām no. 2230)
When some people asked the Prophet ﷺ about visiting soothsayers, he replied, “Do not go to them.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim no. 2229)
The Prophet ﷺ further declared that Allah has purified the Arabian Peninsula from shirk so that astrology should not mislead its people.
(Majmaʿ az-Zawāʾid 19/114)
Indeed, astrology was even branded a form of sorcery:
“Whoever learns a branch of the stars has learned a branch of magic—the more he increases in it, the more he increases in sin.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd no. 3905; Musnad Aḥmad no. 2841)
And Allah says concerning magicians:
“The magician will never succeed, wherever he may be.” — Sūrah Ṭā Hā 20:69
3. Why Astrologers & Palmists Ruin Young Lives
A detailed investigative report (Monthly “Khwatīn” magazine, Lahore, June 2004) recounts tragic stories of how fraudulent “spiritual healers” exploit desperate youth, extort money, and shatter futures. One BSc student spent tens of thousands of rupees—and even participated in sacrilegious rituals—just to force a married woman to divorce so he could marry her. After months of deception, the “healer” vanished with the money.
Similarly, a female M.A. student narrates how a famed palmist demanded ₨27,000 merely to “remove bad luck,” and ₨50,000 for “black magic” to secure her desired marriage. Another “white-magic specialist” bled her for owls, peacock pairs, and eleven talismanic papers, yet nothing changed except her financial ruin and emotional breakdown.
Such accounts prove the Qurʾān and Sunnah true: abandoning divine guidance and dissatisfaction with fate lead only to worldly loss—while the torment of the Hereafter is far worse. May Allah protect us. Āmīn.
4. The Permissible Branch: ʿIlm at-Taysīr
One lawful subset of astronomy is “ʿIlm at-Taysīr” — learning the lunar and solar positions to:
- Determine the Qiblah accurately
- Establish prayer times
- Mark seasonal changes
Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and Isḥāq ibn Rāhwayh deemed this permissible. Al-Khaṭṭābī wrote that any stellar knowledge based on observation and report—such as knowing the sun’s zenith to find direction—is not forbidden. Imām Mujāhid approved learning the moon’s mansions for the same reason: no fear of shirk or kufr arises at this level. Likewise, Ibrāhīm an-Nakhaʿī allowed using stars merely for navigation.
The majority of scholars therefore permit studying astronomy up to locating roads and the Qiblah. Beyond that, it becomes falsehood.
Even determining eclipse times is allowed.
(Taysīr al-ʿAzīz al-Ḥamīd pp. 447-449; Fatḥ al-Majīd p. 277)
5. Why the Stars Were Created
Imām al-Bukhārī headings “Book of the Beginning of Creation – Chapter on the Stars” cites three purposes for which Allah created the stars:
- Beautifying the sky
- Missiles against devils
- Navigation
He then said: “Whoever claims anything beyond these has erred greatly, lost his share of the Hereafter, and burdened himself with what he has no knowledge of.”
The Qurʾān supports these purposes:
“Indeed, We adorned the lowest heaven with the beauty of stars and as protection from every rebellious devil…” — Sūrah Ṣāffāt 37:6-10
“And (He placed) landmarks—and by the stars they are guided.” — Sūrah Naḥl 16:16
6. Doubts & Their Removal
Objection 1: “Sometimes astrologers’ predictions come true, so astrology must be real.”
Reply: A soothsayer may utter one truth amidst a hundred lies—just like the devils who steal a single word and mix it with many falsehoods. Occasional accuracy never validates their craft.
Objection 2: Some cite the verse, “And (He placed) landmarks—and by the stars they are guided” (Naḥl 16:16) as proof that stars reveal the unseen.
Reply: The verse speaks only of physical guidance—finding land and sea routes by day and night—not foretelling destiny. To stretch it otherwise is deliberate misinterpretation refuted by decisive textual evidence.
Conclusion
Consulting astrologers, palmists, or soothsayers is unequivocally forbidden and ranks among the gravest sins, equated with disbelief and sorcery in authentic texts. The only sanctioned study of celestial bodies is that which aids worship and navigation—nothing more. Trust in Allah, accept His decree, and protect yourself and others from these destructive superstitions.
May Allah keep us steadfast upon Tawḥīd. Āmīn.
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