The Position of Astrology in Islam

[sinner]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Peace and Blessings of Allah Most Compassionate Most Merciful Most Forgiving be up our Beloved Muhammad (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam)

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Dear Imam,
I’d like to know what Islam says about Astrology/Horoscopes. I always considered it as a sin but after having read the following article of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radi Allahu anhu) on this website I have changed my view on this subject:

A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) gained great expertise in the field of Astronomy and Astrology.

There was a person by the name of Mawlana Ghulam Hussain Sahib, who used to regard himself as an authority in Astrology. Once, Mawlana Ghulam Hussain Sahib visited A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) asked him, "So! What is the situation of the rain?" After working out the position of the stars, Mawlana Ghulam Sahib drew-up an astronomical table and said,"In this month there will be no rain. It will only rain in the following month." Mawlana Sahib then handed over the astronomical table to A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu). A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) examined it and said, "All the Power is by Allah. If He pleases, then it may rain now." Mawlana Ghulam Hussain then said, "Are you not observing the astronomical table?" A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "I am observing everything."

A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) then looked towards the clock and asked, "What time is it?" Mawlana Ghulam Hussain said, "Quarter past eleven." Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "That means that there is three quarters of an hour left for twelve o' clock." Saying this, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) walked up to the grandfather clock that was in the room. With his finger he moved the big needle of the clock until it was on the twelve, thus showing twelve o'clock. The clock began to chime. A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) then said, "You said that it would take three quarters of an hour for the needle to come to twelve o' clock." The Mawlana Sahib replied, "But you were responsible for altering the position of the needle."

On hearing this, A'la Hadrat (radi Allahu anhu) said, "Almighty Allah is All-Powerful and He may alter the position of the stars whenever he wishes..." A'LA HADRAT (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) HAD NOT YET COMPLETED HIS SENTENCE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN UNCONTROLLABLY.

Masha Allah, Subhanallah.
So Imam Sahib I’d like to know when nowadays we use Astrology in Islam. I know Hindu’s use it for marriage in order to see whether the male and female are compatible or not. The Hindu’s call it Kundli. I’ve never heard or seen an Islamic scholar performing this act in Islam. But still Astrology is known in Islam. So when do we use it? And can you give a basic idea of how it works? What’s the difference between our Astrology-view and of that of the non-Muslims?
Is it permitted to read about our Horoscopes?

May Allah guide you in making the right decisions and giving the correct answers.
Jazakallahu gairon

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu



Praise be to Allah who is the lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam)


Jazak-Allah for your question. In Islam, we have the knowledge of everything which stems from the Qur'an al kareem. The knowledge of the world, the hereafter, of the seen, and the unseen. We must have faith (iman) in this. As far as astrology is concerned, then this is true. There are stars which have been named and used in predicting whether certain events are going to happen, or not happen. However, some ahahdith has prevented us from having total belief in these.


Having total belief in these, by their use, and by reling upon them, is a matter different to believing in their existence, as all things that are to happen, or are due to happen, only do, by the power (qudrah) of the Almighty Allah. Our belief is that whatever happens, does so by the Qudrah of the Almighty Allah. Now, because the Qur'an al kareem contains all the sciences of the world, and is the centre of all the knowledge of things, we do not deny the science of nujum (astrology) which the Qur'an al kareem contains in itself. Allah the Almighty says:


'Faliqul isbah wa ja'alal layla sakanaw wash shamsa wal qamara husbana, dhalika taqdirul azizil 'Alim.'

'He brings forth the dawn after cleaving the darkness. He has made the night for rest, and the sun and moon for the reckoning. This is the measurement of the Almighty, the All Knowing.'

The commentary of this verse can be done as such:

'In the morning a light appears in the east like a thread, it seems as if this line or thread has split the darkness. This is due to His Power. Likewise He splits the darkness of infidelity and spreads the light of Prophethood.


By the the reckoning of the moon and the sun means that through the moon, He has created lunar months, and that the solar months have been created from the movement of the sun. From the moon, Islamic worships are determined, and through the sun, seasonal prayers are calculated. In short, in these are the marvellous signs of the Divine Powers.


From this we learn that mathematics is a lofty branch of knowledge, through it, Allah the Almighty's Absolute Power is revealed. Allah the Almighty has made things of the heavens and of the earth, as samples of His Power.'

This commentary by Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na'imi (Rehmatullahi ’Alaih) clearly states that Divine Powers are reckognised by the means of worship, through the sun, and the moon. Anything in addition to this is a sample of the Power of the Almighty Allah.


Sometimes people who study astrology, may come to conclusions and decisions. Such conclusions should never be confided in completely, as they may be changed by the Will of the Almighty, at any time. However, it is possible that such calculations can be made, and have been made, although our faith in Allah the Almighty should never change.


This is exactly what Imam-e-Ahl as-Sunnat, Mujaddid-e-A'zam A'la Hadrat, Barelwi(Radi Allahu anhu) demonstrated to Mawlana Ghulam Hussain Sahib, when He turned the finger of the clock to twelve, meaning that, what people predict by their power and knowledge is much inferior to what Allah the Almighty wills. If He wills for a certain event to happen, which is contrary to the prediction of the people and their knowledge, then that is what takes precedence.


These days, I think there is a great deal more to learn than just astrology, and astronomy. We should concentrate on what the Qur'an al kareem states, and what our Beloved Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam), told us to stress upon, and what not to stress upon. Having this principle in mind, I think whatever we do or study, will make us successful in this world and the Hereafter, by His will. (Amin)



Wallahu Alamu Biththawaab



M. Waseem Ashrafi