A frequently asked and widely common question in society is, “Can you make a calculation?” This is a question that, despite being incorrect, is often asked by highly educated and intellectual individuals, leaving one astonished. Here, “making a calculation” refers to the creation of a horoscope, astrological chart, numerology-based prediction, or geomantic reading, through which answers to the seeker’s questions are provided. Sometimes, it explains the reasons behind current circumstances, while at other times, it hints at future events—essentially, it is a form of fortune-telling. Like many other misguidances, this practice has also taken root in our society. Below, the words of a fatwa (religious ruling) are quoted, which will hopefully enhance the readers’ understanding and encourage self-correction.
Astrology or star-gazing is not an established science; it is merely speculation and conjecture. There are no definitive principles or laws in astrology that, when applied or observed through celestial bodies, can provide certain knowledge of future events.
Since ancient times, astrologers, geomancers, numerologists, magicians, tarot card readers, fortune-tellers, soothsayers, self-proclaimed mystics, and those claiming control over supernatural beings have all asserted their ability to predict the future. Many people, troubled by illness, unemployment, marriage, business concerns, and other uncertainties, seek their guidance. As the saying goes, “A drowning man will clutch at a straw,” so these distressed individuals turn to them. These fortune-tellers take offerings and provide vague or misleading answers, giving false hope. This has been happening for centuries.
To protect His creation from these cunning tricksters, Allah Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah.“
(Surah An-Naml, 27:65)
Hadith on Fortune-Tellers and Soothsayers
Hazrat Yahya bin Urwah (RA) narrates that Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (RA) said:
“Some people asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about soothsayers. He replied, ‘They are nothing.’
The people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Sometimes they say things that turn out to be true.’
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘That truth comes from the jinn, who whisper it into the hearts of soothsayers, just as a rooster whispers to another rooster. Then the soothsayer adds more than a hundred lies to it.’”
(Sahih Bukhari, 5:2294, Hadith 5859, Dar Ibn Kathir, Beirut)
(Sahih Muslim, 4:1750, Hadith 2228, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut)
2. Hadith on Belief in Stars Controlling Events
Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (RA) narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us in Fajr prayer at Hudaybiyyah after a rainy night. When he finished, he turned to the people and said, ‘Do you know what your Lord has said?’
The people replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
“This morning, some of My servants remained as true believers in Me, while others became disbelievers. Those who said, ‘We received rain due to Allah’s mercy,’ they are believers in Me and rejecters of astrology. But those who said, ‘We received rain due to such-and-such a star,’ they are disbelievers in Me and believers in the stars.’”
(Sahih Bukhari, 1:351, Hadith 991)
(Sahih Muslim, 1:83, Hadith 71)
Allah has given human beings intelligence and reasoning. Every action should be undertaken with thought and wisdom. Believing in astrologers, magicians, fortune-tellers, parrot-readers, and soothsayers is not permissible in Islam.
If one has true faith in divine power, there is no room for superstitions or bad omens.
When astrology is not even a formal science and is discouraged in both the Quranic verses and Hadith, learning it is equivalent to wasting one’s faith and resources.
Readers can read this fatwa at the link provided below.
Now, one question arises: If Ilm al-Jafr (the science of cryptographic divination) does not produce horoscopes, then what should be said about it?
First, we have already mentioned that all these sciences no longer exist in their original form. Whatever has reached us today has done so with the inclusion of astrology in some way or another. In every field, astrological calculations involving stars, zodiac signs, and other astrological judgments have been incorporated.
Otherwise, why would a noble and pure science like Ilm al-Jafr be dependent on astrology?
Secondly, problems arose when the results derived from Ilm al-Jafr began to be used for worldly matters instead of spiritual and religious questions. In the present era, the kind of questions people ask are so strange that even considering them diminishes the respect for these sciences.
Questions like:
- When will I get married?
- When will I get a job?
- What will be the name of the person I marry?
- What is the name of the thief?
- Will I marry so-and-so?
- Should I start this business?
- Should I travel?
- Will I have a son or a daughter?
- Am I under the influence of magic?
- Did my relatives cast magic on me, or was it an outsider?
For Allah’s sake, do not let others decide the course of your life! In Islamic teachings, we are instructed to perform Istikhara (seeking divine guidance) ourselves in all matters.
Furthermore, from the blessed Hadiths, we learn that a person in need should perform Istikhara personally. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the Sahaba (companions) the method of Istikhara with the same emphasis as he taught a chapter or verse of the Qur’an. The companions would seek the Prophet ﷺ advice on matters, but they did not ask him to perform Istikhara on their behalf. Even though no one could be more sacred and blessed than the Prophet ﷺ , and divine revelation was still being sent down at that time—through which the truth about good and bad could be known with certainty—still, the Prophet ﷺ trained his companions, and through them, the entire Muslim Ummah, to establish a direct connection with Allah. Each individual was encouraged to personally ask Allah’s guidance and seek what is best from the Most Merciful.
Here, a certain ambiguity remains. If a person visits a doctor, the doctor evaluates the current condition based on their education and experience and then prescribes medicine or offers advice. Sometimes the medicine works, and sometimes it does not. Similarly, an X-ray provides an assessment of the present condition, which may be accurate or misleading.
We often hear reports of medical errors—such as a doctor mistakenly administering the wrong injection or an X-ray showing one thing while further tests reveal something entirely different.
In the same way, hidden sciences—such as the calculations of Ilm al-Jafr or the numerical charts of Ilm al-Adad—are merely estimations; they do not represent absolute truth. In my opinion, analyzing the causes of a situation based on current circumstances is not inherently wrong. However, when it comes to solving problems, one should certainly seek treatment but firmly believe that true healing comes only from Allah.
Since we are discussing remedies, spiritual treatments—such as ta’weez (amulets) and sacred inscriptions (naqsh) or Alvaah (talismans) —should also be approached with the same mindset: if Allah’s approval is present, they will have an effect; otherwise, without Allah’s will, nothing in the universe can provide healing.