Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
All praise and gratitude is due to Allah SWT. May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon His Messenger PBUH.
The reading of horoscopes is an ancient practice where the angles and position of celestial objects are used as revelation to interpret an event or portray significance (either good or bad) to the birth or death of a person.
This practice stems from the Ancient Greeks. The word ōra and scopos are Greek words meaning “time” and “observer”. This practice has crept into many cultures around the world to interpret events that occur.
There are no scientific studies that have shown support for the accuracy of horoscopes, and the methods used to make interpretations are pseudo-scientific. Islamic epistemology [1] is centered on Wahy (revelation) sent to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. This revelation is our ultimate source of truth.
It is narrated that on the day of Ibrahim’s (the son of the Prophet) death, the sun eclipsed, and the people said that the eclipse was due to the death of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Allah’s Messenger PBUH said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life. So, when you see them, invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is clear.” (Bukhari, 1057).
We derive from this Hadith that the movements of celestial objects aligning with an event has no significance upon our lives. Rather, it is a reminder of the greatness of Allah SWT and that one should turn to the remembrance of Him SWT.
Psychological tests based on questionnaires used to determine the behavioral patterns in an individual are Islamically permissible. This is to determine what is likely to be the temperamental inclinations of an individual due to tried and tested observations in human behavior.
Psychological tests that use elements of horoscopes to determine the personality of an individual are closer to fraudulent exploitation practices than anything near to the truth. The Barnum Effect [2] is the use of descriptions that are wide and vague enough to apply on a large portion of people, such that the victim believes there is truth in what they hear. This effect is the basis of the acceptance of beliefs pertaining to the paranormal, such as astrology, fortune telling, aura reading and some personality tests.
The Messenger of Allah said: ‘…[Whoever] goes to a fortune teller and believes what he says, he has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad.’ (Sunan Ibn Majah 639).
Therefore, we conclude by stating that both horoscopes and personality tests based on horoscopes are impermissible in Islam. It is a sin to engage in such practices. If one truly believes the outcome of a horoscope consultation, then this practice would constitute associating partners with Allah SWT. No one knows the knowledge of the unseen world except Allah SWT. If someone attends such sessions, then one needs to stop this action immediately, understand the gravity of attending fortune tellers and sooth-sayers, turn to Allah in regret and shame, ask Allah for forgiveness and make a promise to never return to such a practice.
To understand the personality of another person, the traditional method, that has been tried and proven for thousands of years is the best approach. The wali (male guardian) of a female will vet the suitor. The suitor will sit with the prospective wife, and they will learn more about each other. Both will fear Allah SWT, not lie, put on a façade or fake a personality to woo the other person. You will continually learn more about each other’s personalities after marriage and with the birth of children. No personality remains the same, it will change as you get wiser and develop a different outlook on life. You will learn to compromise when necessary for the greater good.
Seeking a definitive personality check from a prospective suitor is difficult. If you seek guidance, then seek it from Allah SWT with the Istikhara[3] prayer Insha Allah.
[1] Islamic Epistemology
“The branch of philosophy or intellectual discourse that concerns with the theory of knowledge in Islam.”
Source: Lantong, A. M. (2018, January). The Islamic Epistemology and its Implications for Education of Muslims in the Philippines. In 1st International Conference on Intellectuals’ Global Responsibility (ICIGR 2017) (pp. 67-71). Atlantis Press.
[2] The Barnum Effect
“Barnum Effect, also called Forer Effect, in psychology, the phenomenon that occurs when individuals believe that personality descriptions apply specifically to them (more so than to other people), despite the fact that the description is actually filled with information that applies to everyone.”
Source: Vohs, K. D. (2007). Barnum effect. Encyclopedia Britannica.
[3] Istikhara prayer
“Our Holy Prophet (SAW) has guided his Ummah in all walks of life and in case of any confusion about decision-making he has taught prayer of Istikhara. Istikhara is offering of two Rakah of Salah and then seeking guidance of Allah through Dua’a-e- Istikhara.”
Source: Ullah, H. I., & Niaz, A. (2014). Etiquettes (Adaab) of Prayer Istikhara. Gomal University Journal of Research, 30(2), 112-116.