What is your advice to a person who is not convinced about the prohibition of fortune-telling by reading the cup, saying: "I know myself and I know that this hadith was not directed at someone like me, and I am full of wisdom and I know that what matters most for reckoning with Allah is my intention, and I know what it is"? And when discussing a religious matter, he responds: "Not a child like you will teach me"?

The prohibition of going to soothsayers and astrologers is true and is one of the major sins. Your friend's statement that good intention makes sins permissible is incorrect. The purpose of our creation is to worship Allah alone, according to what He has legislated, and not according to human whims or intentions. Allah the Almighty said: "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error."

Indeed, an action is only accepted if it is purely for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), as Al-Fudayl ibn Iyad said in explaining a good deed: "It must be pure and correct." Pure is what is for Allah, and correct is what is in accordance with the Sunnah. Whoever desires Allah's pleasure must follow the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), for all other paths are blocked except this one.

Allah the Almighty said: "So let those who oppose His command beware, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment befall them," and He said: "So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord." Thus, a good intention alone is not sufficient, especially in forbidden acts.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies or your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds."