Definition of Fortune-Telling in Islam
Arabic Term: Kahānah (كهانة)
In Islam, fortune-telling, referred to in Arabic as kahānah (كهانة), encompasses practices aimed at predicting future events or obtaining hidden knowledge through supernatural means. This practice is explicitly prohibited in Islamic teachings.
Etymology
- Arabic: كهانة (kahānah)
- Turkish: Kehanet
The term “kahānah” is derived from the root “kāhin” (كاهن), which means a soothsayer or fortune-teller.
Islamic Stance on Fortune-Telling
Prophetic Guidance
Muʿāwiyah ibn Ḥakam narrates an incident wherein he asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) whether consulting fortune-tellers about future events was permissible. The Prophet responded, “Since you have embraced Islam, you must not consult them.” This hadith clearly indicates the prohibition of such practices for Muslims.
Islamic Prohibition
The Qur’an and Hadith literature both emphasize the significance of relying solely on Allah’s knowledge and wisdom regarding future matters. Engaging in kahānah is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah) because it implies that someone other than Allah can have knowledge of the unseen.
References:
- Sahih Muslim, Book 26, Hadith 5546
- Qur’an 27:65: “Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen except Allah.”
Spiritual Implications
Consulting fortune-tellers compromises a Muslim’s faith by placing trust in individuals who claim to possess knowledge of the future—a domain strictly reserved for Allah. It detracts from Tawhid (the unification and oneness of Allah) and encourages reliance on superstitions.
Recommendations for Further Reading
- “Islamic Theology and the Writings of Al-Ghazali” by A.J. Wensinck
- “The Book of Guidance into the Lives of Islamic Saints” by Farid al-Din Attar
- “Fortune-Telling and Magic in Islam” by T.P. Hughes
Takeaways
- Kahānah (كهانة) refers to the act of fortune-telling, which is prohibited in Islam.
- The Prophet Muhammad explicitly advised against consulting fortune-tellers.
- Reliance on Allah alone for knowledge of the unseen is a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith.
Conclusion
Fortune-telling, known as kahānah in Arabic, is unequivocally prohibited in Islam due to its implications on one’s faith and reliance on Allah. Muslims are encouraged to place their trust and belief solely in Allah, who alone is the Knower of the Unseen.
