Astrology, also known as astronomy (the study of stars, their movements, and the resulting cosmic events), serves two main purposes: calculation and reasoning.
Using astrology to determine religious rulings is considered desirable and commendable, such as identifying prayer times or determining the direction of the Qibla. Similarly, employing astrological observations for practical needs or convenience—conducting experiments and drawing conclusions from them—is permissible, much like how a physician analyzes a patient’s pulse to assess health conditions.
However, believing that celestial bodies have an independent influence on worldly events or considering astrological predictions as absolute truths, which could lead to misconceptions in faith, is impermissible.
In summary, learning astrology for religious purposes is encouraged, and for worldly matters, it is permissible as long as it does not harm one’s beliefs. If there is a risk of corrupting one’s faith by attributing absolute influence to the stars or considering their impact as definitive, it becomes forbidden and prohibited.