A soothsayer in Islam is someone who claims to know the future or have supernatural powers. This practice is strictly prohibited in Islam and considered a form of shirk, which is associating partners with Allah.
Why are Soothsayers Forbidden in Islam?
- Contradicts Islamic Belief: Islam emphasizes that only Allah knows the future and that seeking knowledge about it from anyone else is a form of disbelief.
- Encourages Superstition: Consulting soothsayers promotes reliance on fortune-telling and other superstitious practices, diverting people from seeking guidance from Allah alone.
- Can Lead to Deception: Soothsayers often exploit people's vulnerabilities and anxieties, making false predictions and gaining financial or social benefits.
Examples of Forbidden Practices:
- Astrology: Predicting events based on the position of stars and planets.
- Numerology: Assigning meanings to numbers and using them for divination.
- Tarot Reading: Interpreting cards to reveal the future or gain insight into personal matters.
Seeking Guidance from Allah:
Muslims are encouraged to rely on Allah's guidance and seek knowledge through legitimate means like prayer, seeking advice from scholars, and studying the Quran and Sunnah.
It's important to note that Islam promotes seeking knowledge and understanding, but it strongly condemns seeking knowledge of the future or relying on supernatural powers.