Is it permissible for us to read the signs of the stars?
Allah created the stars for three purposes: as an adornment for the sky, as missiles against the devils, and as signs by which people are guided. The science of stars is divided into two categories: the science of influence and the science of navigation.
The Science of Influence: 1. Believing that stars are influential and active, creating events, is major (polytheism). 2. Claiming knowledge of the unseen by inferring from the movement of stars is disbelief that expels one from the faith. 3. Believing that stars are a cause for the occurrence of good and evil is minor shirk.
The Science of Navigation: 1. Inferring from the movement of stars for religious benefits (such as the direction of the Qiblah) is desirable and may be obligatory. 2. Inferring from the movement of stars for worldly benefits is permissible and is of two types: Inferring directions from them (such as the four cardinal directions). Inferring seasons from them (the lunar mansions), which is permissible as long as it is not believed that they bring rain or cold, otherwise, it would be shirk.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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