Does the prayer of one who watches a film that includes fortune-telling—while skipping the scenes related to it—become invalid for forty days?
What is known as astrology, horoscopes, luck, and omens are acts of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) that Islam came to abolish. They are considered polytheism (shirk) because they involve dependence on other than Allah and the belief that harm or benefit comes from them, as well as believing fortune-tellers. Watching channels dedicated to horoscopes and omens is forbidden, even if for entertainment. The one who does so is disobedient and sinful; his prayers will not be accepted for forty days. However, if one is not intentionally seeking out these polytheistic programs, but rather watching permissible things where some of these scenes appear incidentally, there is no sin in that, especially if one overlooks these polytheistic elements. This is not considered going to fortune-tellers. A Muslim should elevate himself above these films that distract from what is beneficial and are harmful.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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