Popular motion pictures and books glorifying sorcery and magic have been received with great appreciation among some unsuspecting Muslims. They fail to realize the impact such media have on their faith. Magic and sorcery are among the worst types of Kufr in Islam. How then can Muslims “enjoy” such movies and books? For literature and entertainment, we can always find a good alternative. The following article by Bilal Philips on the Islamic ruling on astrology and fortunetelling should tell us that we stay away from the corruptors of faith: NOT only is the practice of astrology Haraam, but also visiting an astrologer and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one's horoscope are also forbidden. Since astrology is mainly used to predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortunetellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet's (peace be upon him) statement: ‘The Salah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortuneteller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for 40 days and nights.' (Sahih Muslim, vol.4, p. 1211, no. 5440) The punishment in this Hadith is simply for approaching and the asking the astrologer, even if one is in doubt about the truth of his statements. If one is in doubt about the truth or falsehood of astrological information, he is in doubt about whether or not others know the unseen and the future besides Allah. This is a form of Shirk because Allah clearly stated: “And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb [all that is hidden], none knows them but He and He knows whatever there is in [or on) the earth and the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or day, but is written in a clear record.” (Qur'an, 6:59) “Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb (unseen) except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.” (Qur'an, 27:65) If, however, one believes in the predictions of their horoscope, whether spoken by an astrologer or written in books of astrology, he falls directly into Kufr (disbelief) as stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever approaches an oracle or fortuneteller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Abu Dawood, vol.3, p.1095, no. 3895) Like the previous Hadith, the Hadith literally refers to the fortuneteller but it is just as applicable to the astrologer. Both claim knowledge of the future. The astrologer's claim is just as opposed to the Tawheed as the ordinary fortuneteller. He claims that people's personalities are determined by the stars, and their future actions and the events of their lives are written in the stars. The ordinary fortuneteller claims that the formation of tea leaves at the bottom of a cup, or lines in a palm tell him the same thing. In both cases individuals claim the ability to read in the physical formation of created objects knowledge of the unseen. Belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islam. Allah's messenger was told by Allah to say: “Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him): ‘I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the ghayb (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.” (Qur'an, 7:188) True Muslims are therefore obliged to stay far away from these areas. Thus, rings, chains, etc., which have the signs of the zodiac on them should not be worn, even if one does not believe in them. They are part and parcel of a fabricated system which propagates Kufr and should be done away with entirely. No believing Muslim should attempt to guess his zadiacal sign. Nor should he or she read horoscope columns in newspapers. And, any Muslim who allows astrological predictions to determine his actions, should seek Allah's forgiveness and renew his Islam.
