Do Soothsayers Tell the Truth?

Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)

Prophetic Teachings About Soothsayers

Soothsayers (kahins) are often believed to possess supernatural knowledge or the ability to predict the future. However, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clearly warn against trusting or consulting them.

Hadith on Soothsayers and Truth

Narrated by Aisha (RA):
She reported that some people asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about soothsayers. He (ﷺ) replied:

"They are nothing."
They said:
"O Messenger of Allah! Sometimes they tell us something that turns out to be true."
The Prophet (ﷺ) responded:
"That is a word of truth which a jinn snatches and whispers into the ear of his companion (the soothsayer), but they mix it with more than a hundred lies."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6213; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2228]

Other Warnings Against Consulting Soothsayers

  1. Consulting a Soothsayer Nullifies Prayers for 40 Days
    The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

    "Whoever visits a soothsayer and asks him about something, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights."
    [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2230; Sahih al-Jami', Hadith 5940]
  2. Believing a Soothsayer is Kufr (Disbelief)
    The Prophet (ﷺ) further emphasized:

    "Whoever visits a soothsayer and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad."
    [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 9405; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 135; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 639]

Analysis

  1. Jinn’s Role in Providing Information
    Soothsayers sometimes reveal snippets of truth. These are words of truth that a jinn overhears from the heavens and conveys to the soothsayer. However, they mix these truths with numerous lies to deceive and mislead.
  2. Grave Consequences of Believing Soothsayers
    • Consulting a soothsayer out of curiosity results in the rejection of prayers for 40 days.
    • Believing in their claims equates to rejecting the divine revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
  3. Prohibition in Islam
    Islam strictly prohibits seeking knowledge from soothsayers, as their practice involves falsehood and reliance on jinn. Believing in their predictions undermines faith in Allah’s omnipotence and the unseen knowledge reserved for Him alone.

Conclusion

  • Soothsayers cannot be trusted, as their claims are predominantly false, laced with a few truths stolen by jinn.
  • Consulting or believing in soothsayers leads to severe spiritual consequences, including the invalidation of prayers and a breach of Islamic teachings.
  • Muslims must rely solely on Allah for guidance and avoid practices that contradict the essence of Tawhid (monotheism).
 
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