Muslims Belief in Horoscopes and Zodiac Signs Explained

Question

Is it okay if I read my horoscope every day?

Bottom Line

Only Allah knows the unseen; horoscopes are shirk.

Short Answer

No. Believing in horoscopes or zodiac signs is haram. Astrology, fortune-telling, and zodiac predictions claim knowledge of the unseen, which belongs only to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ described astrology as a branch of witchcraft. Even reading them “for fun” is discouraged, since it normalizes shirk.

Key Points

• Only Allah knows the unseen
• Astrology and horoscopes are linked to sihr (witchcraft).
• Believing they affect fate contradicts tawheed.
• Scholars permitted astronomy for calendars/navigation, but condemned astrology.
• Modern research shows that horoscopes mislead and exploit people psychologically.

Detailed Answer

Horoscopes and zodiac signs fall under astrology, which Islam strictly prohibits. They claim to predict personality, fate, or future events based on star positions. This is false because only Allah knows what is unseen.

Allah says:

“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah.” al-Naml 27:65

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever learns anything of astrology has learned a branch of witchcraft.” Sunan Abi Dawud 3905

And he ﷺ also warned:

“He is not one of us who practises augury or has it done for him, who tells fortunes or has his fortune told, or who practises witchcraft or has that done for him.” Musnad al-Bazzār 3578

Difference of Opinion

Unanimous agreement: Astrology, fortune-telling, and horoscopes are haram.

Permitted science: Astronomy (calculating prayer times, navigation, calendars) is lawful and even encouraged, but scholars made clear it must be separated from superstition.

Modern Negative Context:

Barnum Effect: People believe vague statements apply to them personally, which makes horoscopes feel “true”

Exploitation: Astrology apps and fortune services profit from insecurity, a $12 billion global industry

Psychological harm: Reliance on horoscopes links to anxiety, poor decision-making, and addictive behavior

Scams: Many services upsell charms or “spiritual cleansings,” causing financial loss.

Thus, horoscopes are both spiritually dangerous and socially harmful.

What This Means for You

As a Muslim, you cannot believe in horoscopes or zodiac signs. They are haram, a type of fortune-telling. Avoid reading them in magazines, apps, or online, even “just for fun.” Your guidance and future rest only in Allah’s Hands.

And Allah knows best

References

Primary Sources:

• Qur’an 27:65: Only Allah knows the unseen.
• Sunan Abi Dawud 3905: Astrology as a branch of witchcraft.
• Musnad al-Bazzār 3578: Hadith condemning fortune-telling and augury.

Secondary Sources:

• Tafsir al-Qurtubi (27:65): Explains that no one in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allah.
• Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: Commentary linking astrology and fortune-telling to sihr and false claims of unseen knowledge.
• Sharh Sahih Muslim by al-Nawawi: Notes the prohibition of fortune-telling and the serious sin of consulting astrologers.

Modern Research & Reports:

• Furnham & Schofield, *Personality and Individual Differences* (1987): The “Barnum Effect” explains why horoscopes seem convincing.
• Market Research Future (2021): The Astrology industry exploits insecurity and uncertainty.
• Frontiers in Psychology (2020): Astrology linked to poor decisions and addictive reliance.