by Allama Hafiz Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer
A large number of Human beings have been worshipping and associating their fate with heavenly bodies and stars since a very long time.Even at this moment Hindus and Zoroastrians pray sun and take it as source of power and benefits.This belief has been strictly condemned by Allah swt and His Rasool salal laho aliehi wasalam. This mistaken belief was also prevailing in life time of Ibraheem aliehis salam.Allah swt has narrated this incidence in Holy Quran .Allah swt says
Thus did we show Ibrâhim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty. (Al-An'am 6:75)
When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "I like not those that set." (Al-An'am 6:76)
When he saw the moon rising up, he said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the erring people." (Al-An'am 6:77)
When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is my lord. This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allâh. (Al-An'am 6:78)
Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allâh Alone) and I am not of Al-Mushrikûn (see V.2:105)". (Al-An'am 6:79)
Thus it can be concluded that Heavenly bodies are not owner of any things rather they are owned by Allah swt.So we need to avoid the worshipping of Sun and Moon .Allah swt has strictly forbidden His worshippers to prostrate before Sun and Moon .Allah swt says
Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allâh Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.(Fussilat 41:37)
Even the old scriptures have also condemned the worshipping of stars.It is clearly mentioned in old testament
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.(Deuteronomy 4:19 English Standard Version (©2001) )
It is blessing of Allah swt on Muslims that they donot worship and prostrate before Sun and Moon and other heavenly bodies .But it is very unlucky that a large number of Muslims associate their fate with different stars and an overwhelming majority is interested in knowing their horoscope and affect of different stars on their life. We should follow instructions of Allah and His Rasool salal laho aliehi wasalam on these issues
It is mentioned in hadith Narrated by Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani, may Allah be pleased with him, he reported:
Allah's Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) led the Morning Prayer at Al-Hudaibiah. There were some marks of the rainfall during the night. At the conclusion of the Prayer he turned towards people and observed: Do you know what your Lord has said? They replied: Allah and His Messenger know best. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He (Allah) said: Some of My bondsmen entered the morning as My believers and some as unbelievers. He who said: We have had a rainfall due to the Blessing and Mercy of Allah, is My believer and a disbeliever of stars, and who said: We have had a rainfall due to the rising of such and such (star) disbelieved in Me and affirmed his faith in the stars. (Al-Bukhari :Book on The Call for Prayer Hadith No. 801, Friday Prayer Hadith No. 980, Battles Hadith No. 3832, Monotheism Hadith No. 6949, Muslim : Book on Faith Hadith No. 104, Al-Nisa`i : Book on Asking for Rain Hadith No. 1508, Abu-Dawud :Book on Medical Treatment Hadith No. 3407, Ahmed b. Hanbal : Part 4 Page 116, 117, 118,Malik :Book on Asking for Rain Hadith No. 405 )
Now it is time to think that if some one associates a single rainfall with stars is disbeliever in Allah swt.So what will be the fate of the person who associates his upcoming weeks ,months ,years ,travels, marriages and death with stars.Indeed according to the sayings of Prophet salal laho aliehi wasalam he/she is the one who believes in stars and disbelieves in Allah swt. Thus it is an obligation on every Muslim that he/she must avoid believing in stars and should not take interest in this mistaken activity even for fun and entertainment.May Allah guide us all to the right path ameen
