Q1.I read horoscopes only for fun and out of curiosity, although I don't believe whatever they say. Is this Haram ? A1. Astrology, horoscopes, or fortune-tellers claim the knowledge of the future and the unseen, and the knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah Alone. It is not lawful for Muslims to read horoscopes or go to soothsayers even for fun or out of curiosity, because if he believes what they say then it is equivalent to committing an act of shirk and disbelieve. As the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever went to a soothsayer and believed in what he said, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” And if he did it without believing what they say, then his Salah will be rejected for forty days, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever went to a soothsayer and asked him about anything, his prayers will not be accepted for forty days.” (Muslim). Q2. Is there any specific supplication that we should say for every round of Tawaf? A2. The only recommend dua'a (supplication) at the time of Tawaf is to say, “Rabbana a'atina fid-dunyahasanah wafilaakhirati hasanah waqina ‘adhaban-naar.” (“Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.)” (2:201) between the Rukne Yamani and the black stone (Hajre Aswad). Other than this, there is no specific supplication, and you can remember Allah, praise Him or make any supplication you want even in your native language. Q3. When and how should one pray Salat Al-Istikharah? A3. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) prescribed Istikharah prayers for anyone who wants to make a decision or carry out any action but is hesitant about it. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to teach his companions to perform Salat Al-Istikhaarah in all matters, just as he used to teach them verses from the Qur'an. He (peace be upon him) said: “If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him offer two Rak'ahs of Nawfil (non-obligatory prayer), then say: (O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it).” (Sahih Al Bukhaari). __
