The Concept Of Horoscopes From The Islamic Perspective

Horoscope is a description of what is going to happen in the future based on the position of the stars and the planets. The Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary defines horoscope as “a forecast of somebody’s future based on a chart showing the relative positions of the planets at a particular time, e.g. the time of their birth”. In horoscopes, zodiac signs are used as symbols of the twelve groups of stars that position at the various locations of the sky as observable of the astrologers. These are the Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

People are made to believe that their dates of birth determine which sign they are. They are also told that these signs have some influence on their personalities. For example, a research website reveals that “Taurus’ are strong but stubborn, cancers are nurturing but moody, and Leos are dominant but full of pride”. ( psychtest.com ). In their analysis, they affirm that one’s “star” or “sun” rules his/her willpower and ego, and is fundamental to who a person is.

The zodiac signs can be analysed as follows:

THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON HOROSCOPES
Horoscope is strongly abhorred in Islam. It is considered in Islam as Haram (abomination). It is considered a futile attempt to investigate into the exclusive knowledge of Allah. The Qur’an State clearly:

Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected (Al-Qura’an 27:65).

Anyone who believes in the predictions of horoscopes, whether spoken by an astrologer or written in the books of astrology, he falls directly into Kufur (disbelief):

Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller has disbelieved in what is revealed to Muhammad. (Sunan of Abu Dawud Vol. 3, p. 1095, No 3895).

Since astrology and horoscopes are mainly for predicting of the future, those who practice it are considered as fortune tellers. They claim to have knowledge of the future. Astrologers claim that people’s personalities are predicted by the stars, and their fortune, actions, and events of their lives are written in the stars. Thus he claims the ability to read in the physical form of the created object, the knowledge of the unseen. And anyone who believes in it has automatically shifted his faith from the creator to the creatures-the stars.

Because of this, anyone who seeks the knowledge of horoscopes comes under the ruling contained in the prophet’s statement:

The Sallah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortune teller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights. (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, p. 211 no5440)

The belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islam. It is really the empty soul which has not tasted real Iman (belief) that seeks out these paths. Essentially, these paths represent a futile attempt to escape qadar (fate); the ignorant belief that if they know what is in store for them in future, they can prepare from now. In that way, they believed they can avoid the bad and ensure the good. Yet, Allah’s messenger was told by Allah to say:

Say (O. Muhammand): I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself, except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghayb, I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched. I am but a Warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe (Al-Qur’an 7:188).

HISTORY OF HOROSCOPES
Horoscopes and astrology began with the ancient Greeks thousands of years ago. They evolved the belief that the position of the sun and the planets also have an effect on a person’s life, and what future event would happen to them can be predicted based on their location. also has an effect on a person’s life, and what future events would happen to them can be predicted based on their location. ( horoscope.findyourfate.com ).

About 500BC, the philosopher Plato used astrology and studies it further. It continued over the centuries, though however others only made a purely scientific study of the heavenly body which is rather called “astronomy”. Astronomy actually flourished in Egypt within 300BC. Then in the middle ages, the practices of astronomy and astrology quickly hid as the Christian church because of the predominant leading voice of the world.

However, Galilei Galileo still happened to be the first astronomer to use the telescope in the 1500’s amides strong persecutions. Then in the 1600’s an astrologer, William Lilly renamed astrology as being “Christian Astrology” in order to avoid the wrath of the church and to make it more acceptable. This was instrumental in popularizing astrology in horoscopes today.

THE INDIAN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
An Islamic website based in India ( futuresobright.com ) has it that astrology is the most ancient of all sciences and has reached considerable perfection not only in India but across the universe. The Arabic term “Ilm-al-nujum” means “Islamic astrology that relates to the study of the heavens by the ancient Muslims”. But it must be remembered, that astrology has got nothing to do with religion or religious beliefs. “It is just the study of human life in general”. This seems to be in disagreement with the mainstream Islamic belief. The Indian Muslims belief that:

Neither the astrologers not the study of astrology claims to be the ultimate and final answer to everything. Though astrology can provide deep insights and clues to many things, there are also some other aspects of life to which the study of astrology cannot be applied ( futuresobright.com ).

Their position, therefore, is that “Astrology is the scientific study of stars for determining and fixing time division such as months and seasons and directions.” They believe that the Holy Prophet, Mohammed has stated that the purpose of the stars in the heavens is to guide mankind in the correct path, to protect him from all evils and to steer anyone from choosing the wrong path. They quote:

And the sun runneth on unto a resting place for him. That is the measuring of the might, the wise, and for the moon, we have appointed mansions till she returns like an old shriveled palm lead. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrips the day. They float each in an orbit. (Surah xxxvi. verse 38, 39 and 40).

Evidently, the intention of astrology in this context is not for fortune telling but for regulation. This according to the above statements is the purpose of God’s creation. He created the stars for regulation and orderliness. Although they maintain that astrology is not an outright abominable venture.

CONCLUSION
This study has explained the concepts of horoscope and astrology. The Islamic rulings on horoscopes are also examined. However, the Indian Muslims see astrology as a scientific venture and therefore do not consider it an outright taboo, although it should not be done with the intention of manipulating one’s fortunes.