Why people turn to astrologers
Across cultures and societies, people most often consult astrologers at moments of anxiety and uncertainty. The most common trigger is marriage. Individuals worry about whether marriage is written for them, when it will happen, whether a particular person is a suitable match, or whether obstacles they face are signs of incompatibility or misfortune. Astrology appears to offer reassurance and certainty at times when patience feels difficult and the future feels unclear.
This attraction is understandable at a human level. Marriage is emotionally significant, socially pressured, and closely tied to a person’s sense of stability and fulfilment. However, Islam does not assess practices based on emotional need alone.
The Islamic ruling on astrology
Islam strictly forbids astrology. This prohibition is not marginal or cultural, but based on the foundational principles of Islamic belief. Astrology, as practiced through horoscopes, zodiac signs, birth charts, and predictions of personal destiny, involves attributing knowledge of the unseen to created things.
In Islam, knowledge of the unseen (al-ghayb) belongs exclusively to Allah. Any claim that stars or planetary movements can reveal future events, determine personal outcomes, or judge marital compatibility contradicts this core belief. For this reason, astrology is categorised as harām and treated with particular severity.
Astrology as a major sin
Astrology is considered a major sin because it violates the rights of Allah by undermining tawhid (monotheism) and corrupting reliance. When a person believes that stars influence marriage, success, or misfortune, they have attributed causal power to creation rather than to the Creator.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly warned against astrology in authentic narrations. He said:
“If one goes to a soothsayer, asks about something, and believes it, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days.” [Muslim]
“Divination and taking omens from the flight of birds are types of idolatry.” [Abu Dawud]
“If one takes knowledge from the stars [i.e., astrology], he in fact takes a branch of sorcery. The more knowledge he gains [of that], the more sin he gains.” [Abu Dawud; commentary from Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir]
And Allah alone gives success.“Whoever learns a branch of astrology has learned a branch of magic.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
Magic is listed among the gravest sins in Islam. By linking astrology to magic, the Prophet ﷺ placed it firmly among practices that endanger faith and distort belief.
In another authentic narration, he ﷺ said:
“Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Musnad Ahmad)
This hadith demonstrates the seriousness of the matter. Belief in astrological claims directly contradicts revelation, even if the belief is partial or framed as curiosity.
Why the prohibition is so severe
Islam aims to protect the believer from superstition, anxiety, and fatalism. Astrology trains people to interpret life through signs, charts, and dates rather than through duʿa, reason, and trust in Allah. It replaces reliance on Allah with dependence on speculation.
Marriage is part of Allah’s decree. Islam provides lawful means for navigating uncertainty, including consultation, supplication, and patience. Astrology bypasses these means and promises certainty where none has been granted.
The Islamic alternative: Istikharah
Instead of astrology, Islam teaches istikharah as the correct response to uncertainty, particularly in matters such as marriage.
Istikharah is not a method of predicting the future or receiving hidden knowledge. It is an act of worship in which a believer asks Allah to guide them to what is best, to make it easy if it is good, and to turn it away if it is harmful.
Through Istikharah, the believer acknowledges their limited knowledge and places trust in Allah’s wisdom. Guidance may come through ease or difficulty in circumstances, or a gradual opening or closing of paths. Unlike astrology, Istikharah strengthens tawakkul rather than undermining it.
Marriage decisions in Islam are made through a combination of Istikharah, practical assessment of character and compatibility, consultation with trusted people, and reliance on Allah’s decree. This approach preserves both reason and faith.
Repentance for astrology
Because astrology is a major sin, it requires sincere repentance (tawbah).
The first condition is that the person stops the sin immediately. Continuing to consult astrologers or read horoscopes while claiming repentance is contradictory.
The second condition is genuine remorse. This means recognising that the action was wrong and displeasing to Allah, not merely regretting negative outcomes.
The third condition is a sincere resolve not to return to the sin. This intention is judged at the time of repentance. If a person later falls again, the original repentance remains valid, but repentance must be renewed.
If astrology was promoted to others, repentance also involves withdrawing endorsement and correcting misinformation in a responsible and measured way.
Repentance is made directly to Allah, without intermediaries. Allah accepts repentance repeatedly and does not turn away those who return sincerely.
People turn to astrologers out of fear and impatience or sometimes lightheartedly out of fun. The believer is taught to seek guidance through lawful means and to trust that what is written will arrive at its appointed time.