What is astrology in Islam : A long history exists of how astrology is a form of faith, which affirms that the movements of stars and planets have an impact on human life and events. Astrology has its origin in each and every culture of the world. Do Islam and the opinion of scholars consider it wrong to believe in horoscopes or follow astrological predictions? For that reason, understanding the views about astrology from Islamic standpoints is great.
What is Astrology?
Astrology is based on an assumption that asserts the movements and positions of celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and planets, have a direct effect on what occurs on Earth-such as on human behavior and their fate in general. It claims to be able to predict events in personal lives, life events, and even future outcomes through knowing a person’s birth chart or star sign.
Astrology has long been an object of human curiosity, but in the Islamic tradition, it has significant theological concerns. The fundamentals of Islam teach that only Allah knows about the future and Ghaib. Thus, any idea or activity regarding predicting events or outcomes, especially using objects in the sky, raises serious theological issues.
Islam’s Concept of Astrology
The notion that stars or planets could govern human life clashes with the creation of the doctrine of Tawhid – or unity of God. Muslims believe as in the Qur’an and Hadith that only Allah could rule all aspects of existence under His control and not any single constituent of creation like the planets or stars.
Surah Al-Jinn (72:26-27) says,
“He alone is the Knower of the unseen, and He does not make anyone aware of His secrets.”
This verse gives the message that only Allah has that divine knowledge, and through astrology it is blasfomy in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also forbidden going to the stars and astrologers by saying that:
“Whoever approaches a soothsayer and believes in what they say has disbelieve in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Sahih Muslim)
The Role of Stars in Islam
Stars have an important yet different role in Islam. The Qur’an comments that stars are a way of guidance, especially for navigation. It is stated in Surah An-Nahl (16:16):
” And by the stars, they are guided.”
The stars, then, are signs of Allah’s creation, aimed to let us understand how lovely and intricate the universe could be. But when it speaks of power or influence for a person in regards to his life, that is precisely where astrology contradicts teachings from Islam. It encourages Muslims to reflect on the universe to appreciate Allah’s creation. It does not, however, seek to foresee the future or personal fate through the stars.
The Position of the Islamic Scholars:
Up to this date, different scholars of Islam always mention . That they are against the science of astrology as perceived and claimed by its followers. Most scholars, especially Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Ghazali, regarded astrology as shirk because it sends people away from faith in Allah alone. In the course of time, modern scholars even went to the extent of issuing a fatwa declaring astrology haram in Islam.
Conclusion
The basis of astrology cannot be accepted in the light of the Muslim belief . Because it claims that based on the stars, one can predict events and characters connected to one. As Muslims, we believe that Allah is the only God, and only He knows the unseen . As well as determines human destiny. The goodness of the creation made by Allah . No matter how useful, is good enough if it were not to be relied on for the purpose of prediction through astrology. This completely opposes the principles of Tawhid and knowledge from God.
And for Muslims, putting trust in the wisdom of Allah and his power is vital . And participating in astrology takes them away from such a genuine belief. Generally, astrology may have a cultural or historical appeal, but its practice and belief are opposite from Islam’s teachings.