Horoscope under the Scope
Abdul-azeez bin Baaz
Horoscopes, zodiacs, foretelling, and luck are all an act of Jahliya (ignorance) that Islam had abolished indicating that it includes shirk (polytheism).
- Categories: Aqeedah (Islamic Faith) - Tawhid -
A question asked to Sheikh Ibn Baz - May Allah have mercy on him- about the rule of Horoscope’s, his Answer was as follows:
Horoscopes, zodiacs, foretelling, and luck are all an act of Jahliya (ignorance) that Islam had abolished indicating that it includes shirk (polytheism). It entails reliance on other things other than Allah Almighty, and believe that it could bring benefit and repel harm. Moreover believing foretellers and magicians that proclaim knowing the unseen falsely, tampering with the mentality of naive and gullible people to rip them off and disturb their faith. The Messenger of Allah said in a Hadith Narrated by Ibn Abbas May Allah be pleased with him, “He who gains a branch (knowledge) from the stars had gained a branch from magic, it increases as he gains more.” [Reported with an authentic chain of transmission by Aby Dawud]
‹‹من اقتبس شعبة من النجوم فقد اقتبس شعبة من السحر زاد ما زاد››
رواه ابو داود بإسناد صحيح
Who ties a knot uttering a spell on it, has committed magic, who practices magic had committed Shirk (polytheism), who relies on something (amulets) will be referred to it (his affairs will forfeit). This Indicates that magic entails deity with Allah Almighty, whoever relies on the acts or words of magicians and fortellers will be referred to them deprived of Allah’s aid and support.
In a Hadith reported by Muslim narrated by some of the Messenger’s Wives may Allah be pleased with them that the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said, “Whoever reffers to a forteller asking him about anything, his prayers won’t be accepted for forty days.” [Narrated by Muslim]
‹‹من أتى عرافا فسأله عن شيء لم تقبل له صلاة أربعين ليلة››
رواه مسلم
Narrated by Aby Hurayra May Allah be pleased with him that the Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever reffers to a magician believing what he says has declared himself an unbeliever with the divine revelation to Mohamed” [Declared Authentic by Al-Albani]
‹‹من أتى كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد كفر بما أنزل على محمد››
صححه الألباني
Narrated by Imran Ibn Hasien, “He is not Amongst us (Muslims) who sees an evil omen in something or seen for him (by foreteller), and who fortells or been foretold, and who practice magic or had magic made for him and whoever reffers to a magician believing what he says is declared as an unbeliever with the divine revelation to Mohamed.”[A traceable Hadith Reported by Al-Bazar with a good chain of transmission]
‹‹ ليس منا من تطير أو تطير له ، أو تكهن أو تكهن له ، أو سحر أو سحر له ... ومن أتى كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد كفر بما أنزل على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم››
رواه البزار بإسناد جيد
Ibn Qayim May Allah have mercy on him said, “A person famous to be a good deterrent (deterring people on basis of proclaimed knowledge of the Unseen) is named a fortuneteller and a clairvoyant. The Aforementioned means: who proclaims knowledge from the Unseen, is designated as a predictor or holding the same meaning thus having the same ruling of a predictor, so if a foreteller sometimes predicts correctly some events of the Unseen, could be unveiling facts of the Unseen through the devils. Methods of foretelling; predicting good and bad omen, deterring, lithomancy (predicting through stones and gems), drawing on soil, astrology, foretelling, magic and others of the like are matters of Jahilya (ignorance or pre-Islamic era), we mean by Jahilya who was never of the Messengers’ followers (May Allah have peace on them) like philosophers, foretellers and Arab atheists prior to the Message of the Prophet. This useless knowledge is referred to people who didn’t follow any divine message and they are designated as foreteller and a predictor or any name having a similar meaning. Therefore whomever reffers or believes them will be a subject to hereafter punishment, their false knowledge was inherited by a group of people claiming knowledge of the Unseen, which is a sole knowledge to Allah Almighty, moreover claiming to be saints or having miracles.”
It could be deduced from the words of the Prophet , the statements of the scholars and knowledgeable Jurists of this nation that astrology and reading omens, palms, coffee cups, predicting luck are all false knowledge of Jahilya (Pre-Islamic period) prohibited by Allah and his Messenger . Such knowledge is useless, Islam came to demolish and warn against practicing it or even dealing with it, nor asking or believing them because the Unseen is a sole Knowledge to Allah Almighty. He said “Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah,” [An-Naml 27:65]
{قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ...}
النمل: 65
Transliteration: Qul la yaAAlamu man fee alssamawati waalardi alghayba illa Allahu
My advice to every person relying on these useless matters to repent and ask forgiveness from Allah, relying and having confidence in Allah only in all his affairs, while not neglecting religious tangible causes (i.e supplicating, working, medicine etc…) and staying away from these ignorant practices. Be cautious of asking or believing these charlatans, abide to the command of Allah and his Messenger maintaining a healthy creed and safeguarding his religion. After all, Allah is responsible to grant us and the Muslims the true understanding of our religion to carry it out in the best manner, and we ask him to not lead us astray after his guidance. Lastly, May Allah’s Prayers, blessings and peace be upon his Prophet, the seal of his Messengers and upon his Family, companions and followers till the day of Judgment.
Prohibited Utterance
Some people claim that correcting phrases (contradicting religion) is not important as long as the heart does not believe in it?
Yes true it does not matter to an extent, this is the case of linguistic error according to the Arabic language – perspective of the safety of creed – where used phrases isn’t fixed properly by the Arabic language (i.e. difference in dialect, word used in every region differently etc….) as long as it’s fairly understood and safe. On the other hand, if it meant to leave phrases entailing infidelity and polytheism uncorrected then it is wrong rather it is crucial to do so. We cannot permit a person to utter what he likes with no restrictions as long as his intention was pure, no, our speeches is restricted and must abide to the rules of our Islamic religion.
This deceased surely granted mercy
It’s allowed to say that, the deceased so-and-so is (granted mercy) or (under Allah’s mercy), because it doesn’t imply a definite status, on the contrary it’s a matter of optimism and hope, if it was from this perspective then there is nothing with it. Also saying (He moved to Allah’s mercy) shows optimism and hoping good, and not a definite status. As such thing is knowledge of the Unseen and cannot be confirmed. Saying “he passed to the supreme comrade” is not permissible, only in the case of Prophet Mohamed because he had glad tidings confirming that.
Allah does not hit with a stick
We are forbidden to utter such words in describing Allah’s justice, on the other hand we say instead, Allah is just he does not oppress anyone. His retribution will be upon the oppressor and other similar expressions, but the expression acquired about is not permissible.
Allah has remembered so-and-so
This expression means that when a person dies Allah has remembered him; this expression could get who uttered it out of the folds of Islam. It entails that Allah forgets, Allah doesn’t forget confirmed by the testimony of Moses - Allah’s peace be upon him - saying “[Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?" (51) [Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."” [Taa-Haa 20:51-52]
{قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ الْقُرُونِ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿٥١﴾ قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ ۖ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى}
طه: 51-52
Transliteration: Qala fama balu alqurooni aloola (51) Qala AAilmuha AAinda rabbee fee kitabin la yadillu rabbee wala yansa
Thus, if a person says this expression knowing what it entails, then he has committed an act of Kufr (infidelity).
However, if this person was ignorant and did not know its real meaning saying (Allah has remembered him) then he didn’t commit an act of Kufr (infidelity). Nevertheless, he is obliged to know and refrain from such expressions because assumes imperfection in Allah’s attributes, Instead he could say “he passed away by the will of Allah” or its like.
This person is far from guidance
This expression is forbidden, as it entails deification with Allah Almighty. Its confirmed in the Sahih al Bukhari that (A man who was deeply immersed in sins, another man passes by saying, “By Allah He won’t forgive you” Then Allah said, “Who swore on my behalf that I will not forgive this person, I forgave him and abolished your deeds.” [Narrated by Muslim]
‹‹ أن رجلا قال: والله! لا يغفر الله لفلان . وإن الله تعالى قال : من ذا الذي يتألى علي أن أغفر لفلان . فإني قد غفرت لفلان . وأحبطت عملك . أو كما قال››
رواه مسلم
A person must not rule out the mercy of Allah, there are countless examples of people reaching endless extents of infidelity but Allah with his mercy and grace guiding them to be pious individuals, guiding others to the righteous path. The person saying such a thing, must sincerely repent to Allah, regretting and intending not to say it in the future.
May Allah grant you goodness or May Allah grant you a good morning
The authentic Islamic greeting is: (Asalamu ‘Alaik) or (Salamun Alayk) Peace be upon you, then he could greet him with what Allah wills from different ways of greetings. In addition, if the following is said after the authentic Islamic greeting (Good morning by Allah) or (Good evening by Allah) or (May Allah grant you goodness) is not permissible.
Initiating greetings by saying (Alayk Asalam) peace on you contradicts the authentic greetings. Used as a response to the original greeting (Asalamu ‘Alaik).
I am free to do what I wish
This is wrong, we say, “You are not free to disobey Allah, while if you did disobey him then you have shifted from the slavery to Allah to the slavery of the devil and deceiving will.”
May Allah extend your days (elongate his age)
The sheikh answered saying: this contradicts the reality that days does not last for anyone and considered as transgression in supplication. Allah Almighty said “Everyone upon the earth will perish, (26) And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.” [Ar-Rahmaan 55:26-27]
{كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ}
الرحمن: 26-27
Transliteraton: Kullu man AAalayha fanin (26) Wayabqa wajhu rabbika thoo aljalali waalikrami
He Almighty said “And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?” [Al-Anbiya’ 21:34]
{وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخَالِدُونَ}
الأنبياء: 34
Transliteration: Wama jaAAalna libasharin min qablika alkhulda afain mitta fahumu alkhalidoona
Some people if they were forbidden to do or say something against Islamic rules and teachings they would try to support their stance by saying “Most people do the same,” this cannot stand as an argument as Allah Almighty said “And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah.” [Al-Anaam 6:116]
{وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ...}
الأنعام: 116
Transliteration: Wain tutiAA akthara man fee alardi yudillooka AAan sabeeli Allahi in
“And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.” [Yusuf 12:106]
{وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ}
يوسف: 103
Transliteration: Wama aktharu alnnasi walaw harasta bimumineena
The true evidence is in Allah’s words and His Prophet, and the practice of the righteous forefathers.
Ruling on cursing Satan
We are not ordered to curse Satan, rather we are ordered to ask refuge from him, Allah almighty said “And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.”[Al-A’raaf 7:200]
{وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ}
الأعراف: 200
Transliteration: Waimma yanzaghannaka mina alshshaytani nazghun faistaAAith biAllahi innahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
Some people if someone dies repeat the following verse “[To the righteous it will be said], "O reassured soul, (27) Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him],” [Al-Fajr 89:27-28]
{يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ﴿٢٧﴾ ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً}
الفجر: 27-28
Transliteration: Ya ayyatuha alnnafsu almutmainnatu (27) IrjiAAee ila rabbiki radiyatan mardiyyatan
A certain person cannot be eligible for such a testimony because only Allah knows the ranks of his slaves.
Translated by Wathakker.net website