Kāhin (كاهن)
Definition and Usage in Islam
Kāhin (كاهن, pl. كهان kuhān and كهانة kahanah) refers to a soothsayer or augur in Islamic terminology. This term is used to describe individuals who claim to foretell the future or reveal hidden knowledge through supernatural means. The word appears twice in the Qur’ān and is mentioned in various Hadith.
Qur’anic References
The term kāhin is specifically mentioned in the following Qur’anic verses:
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Sūrah 52:29: “So remind, for you are not, by the favor of your Lord, a soothsayer (كاهن), nor mad.”
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Sūrah 69:42: “Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (كاهن); little do you remember.”
Hadith References
In the traditions, or Hadith, the term kāhin retains the same connotation of a soothsayer or a fortune-teller:
- Mishkāt, Book IV, Chapter I: “The Prophet said, believe in Islām, and put not your trust in soothsayers (كهانة kahanah).”
- Mishkāt, Book XXI, Chapter II: ‘Āyishah relates that the Prophet was asked about fortune-tellers (kahanah), and he said, “You must not believe anything they say.” It was then said, “O Prophet, why do they then sometimes tell lies?” And the Prophet said: “Because one of the jinn steals away the truth and carries it to the magician’s ear, and the magicians (كهان kuhhān) mix a hundred lies with it.”
Etymology
The word kāhin stems from the root ك-ه-ن, which means to foretell or predict. Its Hebrew counterpart is כֹחֵן (Kohain), which in the Old Testament refers to a priest but also to specific individuals like Melchizedek, Potipher, and Jethro, thus exhibiting a broad semantic field that includes religious officiants and diviners.
Theological Stance
Islamic teachings discourage reliance on soothsayers and fortune-tellers. The Qur’ān and Hadith emphasize that such practices are incompatible with the principles of Tawhīd (monotheism) and reliance on Allah alone for guidance and knowledge of the unseen.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Fortune-Telling in Islam: A Critical Appraisal” by Rafiq al-Jafari
- “The Forbidden Rites: A Historical Account of Divination and Magic in Islam” by Ahmad Ibn Fahd
- “Islamic Concept of Knowledge: A Study in Soothsaying and Prophethood” by Abdullah Rahman
- “Divination and Governance: Prophets and Soothsayers in Islamic Political Thought” by Zainab Malik
Takeaways and Conclusion
The concept of kāhin highlights the Islamic opposition to practices of soothsaying and divination. By reinforcing Tawhīd, Islamic teachings stress the importance of seeking guidance solely from Allah. The role of the kāhin serves as an antithesis to Islamic epistemology, where knowledge and the future lie beyond human speculation and in the dominion of divine will.
Understanding terms such as kāhin is pivotal for a deeper comprehension of Islamic theology, especially in the context of prophetic messages and the authenticity of divine guidance.
