Astrology and Horoscope are considered haram in Islam as they are an act of polytheism.
It makes a person depend on something other than Allah and believe that benefit and harm come from something other than Him. Horoscopes are directly related to fortunetelling which is mainly used to predict the future and is strictly prohibited in Islam.
1- Prayers will not be accepted for forty days
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“He who goes to one who claims to tell about matters of the Unseen and believes in him, his Salat (Prayers) will not be accepted for forty days." (Sahih Muslim: 2230)
The punishment in this hadith is simply for approaching and asking the astrologer about future or unseen things, even if one doubts the truth of his statements.
2- Believing Astrology is a form of Shirk
If one pays a visit to a fortune teller/astrologer, he is actually in doubt about whether or not others know the unseen and the future besides Allah. This is a form of Shirk (the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides Allah) because Allah Has clearly stated in The Quran:
“And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record." (Surah Al-Anaam 6:59)
Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected." (Surah Al-Namal 27:65)
3- Contradicting to the Teachings of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
If one believes in the predictions of the horoscope, whether spoken by an astrologer or written in books of astrology, he falls directly into Kufr (disbelief) as stated by the Prophet (S.A.W.) in the following Hadith:
"Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Ibn Majah: 639)
4- Against the Spirit of Islam
Belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islam. Essentially these paths represent a vain attempt to escape Qadr (fate). The ignorant believe that if they know what is in store for them tomorrow, they can prepare for today. In that way, they may avoid the bad and ensure the good. Yet, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was told by Allah to say:
‘Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (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.” (Surah Al-Araaf 7:188)
It is evident from all the Hadith that Horoscopes or Astrology are strictly forbidden in Islam and true believers should abstain from indulging in activities related to fortune-telling. If you have been involved in such acts then you need to seek repentance from Almighty Allah.
May Allah guides us all and keeps us away from all the acts which displease him. Ameen
