Question:
Salam alaikum wa rahmatullah,
Shaykh, I’ve a question about the starsigns. Some mureed of another Shaykh reads into the character signs of the starsigns. For example, when they met me they asked my birthdate and “deciphered” my character based on this and says that I’m “aries” and there am such and such.
I do not like this type of method for character defining. Please explain how this is “allowed” in Islam.
Jazaakallaah
Answer:
Wa`alaykumussalam,
There are differences of opinions regarding astrology including reading stars and such. Medieval Muslim scientists and scholars like Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni and Ibn Rushd may not have refuted the essential themes of astrology, but only refuted our ability to fully understand it, including the notion of the exact effects of the celestial bodies have upon Man. Astrological methods, being more conjectural rather than empirical, become questionable in both their means and ends, hence are unreliable.
However to believe and have faith in predictions that the stars and planets have a direct influence on our lives leads to shirk. Our Shuyukh (may Allah Almighty raise them) may tell about the signs, secrets and significance of the celestial bodies in the entirety of Allah’s creation, but they do not teach us to believe they have an effect on our lives, rather to depend entirely on the Creator Himself.
So you may hear that person out, but exercise restraint when trying to apply it. Always a rule of thumb, we must seek direction with correct beliefs and our actions be in accordance with Shari’ah, and if in doubt, it is preferred you drop the matter to stay clear from error.
Allahu A’lam,
Abdul Shakur
