Are horoscopes true? One of my friends says he does not believe in fortune-telling but he says it is appropriate to believe in horoscopes.

Dear Brother / Sister,

The way stars are dealt with in the Quran appears as a part of the universe that Allah created for people. Misuse of ilm will bring about some parasites under the name ilm. Man is tested through everything. For, the world is a place of testing: His family, children, spouse, money, wealth, property, what he likes and does not like, his knowledge, culture and understanding... Everything is an element of testing. Among them, the issue that is especially related to our topic is ilm (knowledge/science).

In fact, the useful aspects of these kinds of secret sciences can be revealed and they can be used in good ways. For, as Doomsday approaches, bad things will increase and the test will get tougher. There are secret and clear signs of it. Some problems that people will face will show them illegitimate ways; if a person does not have a sound belief and understanding, he will fall into them more easily. Especially in the state our country is in now and the metamorphosis it is undergoing, it is seen that it is passing tough, narrow straits in order to get out of difficulties and reach salvation.

In this period, man will be forced to make concessions from his religion, faith and ethics. He will be forced so much that it will be implied that those who will not make these concessions will not have the right to live, or it will be expressed directly. Thus, people will be forced to spend a lot of money due to the luxuries and unnecessary things promoted by commercials and ads. People will either steal things or deceive people; or, they will misuse the things that they control. Much difference will not be seen among people since belief and unbelief will proceed openly. Real scholars and administrators will not be appreciated; therefore, mischief and corruption will occur; there will be a lot of frauds around. 

Therefore, the sultanate of jinn and devils will start; people’s being away from God, their disobedience to Allah will cause devils to come to the earth; and friendships with them will be popular.  

Psychological diseases will increase; sociological schizophrenia, epilepsy, mental paralysis and psychological disorders will also increase; spiritualists, sorcerers, witch doctors, warlocks, in short, magicians and magic will be common. In this period, impostors who are seemingly Muslims but are actually unbelievers that are putties in the hands of devils and jinn will emerge and claim that they have knowledge about secret sciences; they will earn their living from this.  

At that time, it will become as difficult as having “a handful of cinder” in one’s hand, according to the expression of the hadith, to maintain belief. For, everything will be evaluated based on material interests and political views. That time is time of mischief. It is not known what surprises we will have during time of mischief. Only a person’s belief can prevent it; man can protect himself based on his degree of understanding.  

There are many hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) in which he warns his ummah against the mischief and exploiters that can emerge at that time. We find it enough to quote those that are related to our topic:

A hadith reported by Razin is as follows: Ibn Abbas narrates: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,  

“If a person acquires a part from the science of stars for something except what Allah mentions, he will have acquired a part from magic. An astrologer is a soothsayer; a soothsayer is a magician; a magician is an unbeliever.”

In another narration, the hadith is as follows:

“If a person acquires a branch science of stars, he will have acquired a part from magic. As astrology increases, magic increases.”(1)

The phrase “except what Allah mentions” in the hadith means the information in the Quran that stars are evidence showing Allah’s existence and oneness, are chandeliers that ornament the sky, have properties that determine calendars, some of them are used for stoning devils and they are dwelling places of the inhabitants of the sky. It is regarded as unbelief to use them to tell about the future, to view them as powers that dominate the destiny of human beings and that cause rain, snow, etc. fall, to use them as means of magic and sorcery, to think and believe that they dominate the destiny of human beings by associating them with astrology and horoscopes. For, the only power that dominate human beings and nature is the power and strength of Allah, except whom there is no being with power in the universe, His will and strength. Nothing happens unless He wishes. (2)

Footnotes:

(1) Abu Dawud, Tibb 22, (3905)
(2) Cf.: al-Hashr, 59/23-24; as-Saff, 61/1; al-Munafiqun, 63/8; at-Taghabun, 64/18; al-Mulk, 67/2

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