[أم بدر الدين]

The Islaamic Ruling on Horoscopes


Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Ramatullah Wabarakatuh Brothers and Sisters ,
Visiting an astrologer and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one's horoscope are forbidden. Since astrology is mainly used to predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortunetellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet's statement: 'He who visits a soothsayer ('Arraf) and asks him about anything, his prayers extending to forty nights will not be accepted [Saheeh Muslim Book 026, Number 5540]

The punishment in this hadeeth is simply for approaching the asking the astrologer, 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 clearly stated: "And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record." [Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle) Verse 59]