Astrology’s history dates back to one of an ancient era of the 3rd Millennium B.C when Greek philosophers observed a connection of the celestial bodies with the calendrical system that was, in fact, a way to form a prediction of the seasons and the seasonal cycles. These predictions of the seasons have now formed the yearly calendars that are present at our homes today. Meaning astrology is focused on the relative particular movements observed from these celestial bodies in the galaxies. However, it is a far vast terminology which not only determines the influence of such bodies on the human’s behavioral aspects, attitude and overall natural prospects of a human being but also predicts its influence on the natural world in which we strive.
In a way, astrology has been transformed into a subject that removes unpredictability and natural anomalies that are observed in our day to day life. It also creates a way to generalize human beings based upon how the celestial bodies and stars move in the solar systems and galaxies. In the early eras, even the profound Muslims astrologers were found observing and researching these particular stars and wrote their books regarding their observations. So the question is what is the actual concept of Astrology in Islam? And does Islam permits a person to observe these stars to predict their future?
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Early History of Astrology in Islam
In the early 7th Century, the Arabians had a long practicing tradition in astronomy and astrology. In many instances, it was found that the Greek Philosophers came to the Arabians to learn about the stars and cosmic celestial bodies. The opposition’s stance on the study and research of astrology was taken up by many individuals such as Abd al Jabbar, who through their knowledge and great understanding of the cosmic system stated that such a study leads towards the disbelief in the Almighty Allah. Whereas, the same was opposed by many others and was further evidenced by the book 'Kitab Al Daraj”.
But even before the opposition who stood against the concept, Al Hashmi, a theologian, and historian, sought to prove the possibility of the influence of the stars and cosmic celestials through the adherents and events of Islam. However, a gigantic disagreement was observed throughout decades regarding such concepts of stars an influential role in our lives. However, during the age of Islamic uprising and the gradual rule over the multiple continents, the Arabians started to develop many astrological tools and astrological techniques to understand the various cosmic patterns and events. During this time, many of the European and Greek philosophers sought to seek knowledge and wisdom from such wise Arabians.
The Greeks started to develop advanced technologies and tools to help them with further studies and also researched the book 'Kitab al Daraj” in a much in-depth manner. Some people even claimed that the Islamic calendar which is followed is done based on the specific movement and placement of the moon which at that time was considered as a star.
Quran’s view regarding Astrology
In Islam, a Muslim must put his complete and utter faith in the Allah Almighty and His Oneness. So for a Muslim, there is no other alternative but to trust the decisions of Allah Almighty and believe that what He does is done in the best of His own will and desire. That’s why, for a Muslim to place their trust and complete faith in anyone other than Allah would categorize them as Non- believers.
In many Ayaat’s of the Quran, Allah Almighty has stated that such a study of the cosmic celestial bodies to determine the influence of them on a person leads to divergence and hindrance from their true final destination or decisions. It is considered as a way to divert someone's attention from their actual goals and their actual beliefs. Not only that, Allah Almighty stated in the Quran, to which the rough meaning is that, Whosoever puts faith in anything other than Allah Almighty has committed the biggest sin which is Shirk.
Even though many interpreters did not account for the celestial studies at the time when these Ayaat where delivered to the people from the Holy Prophet and Messenger of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W), but these were further clarified from the Hadith that even putting faith in the stars in order to determine one’s future and one’s decisions makes one commit the sin of Shirk. This is the reason why the horoscopes and addressing one’s nature from the Zodiac signs is also disapproved in Islam because they allowed one to put their complete faith in the stars rather in the decisions of the Allah Almighty and His command and will.
However, the practice of the Horoscopes and Astrology is only permissible to the limit that such a study is only done to gain an understanding of the celestial bodies and the stars in addition to the determination of the Islamic month of the year.
Hadith’s view on Astrology
The Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W), is the Messenger of the Allah and the only conveys those messages to the people which are given directly by Allah Almighty. Many people consider that Quran and Hadith are different and their point of view also differs but that is never the case because a much detailed explanation to the Ayaat’s in Quran is always present and referenced in the Hadith.
Even the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said to the people that those people who approach the oracles and fortune-tellers are disbelievers as fortune tellers use the cosmic observance to determine one's faith. Which is strictly forbidden. Not only that, a direct reference is present on rain, regarding those who consider rain to be a celestial event and the changes of the moon’s positions. To which, the Holy Prophet stated that it is a blessing of the Almighty and not due to the astrological events which caused it to occur.
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