What is the legitimate ruling regarding the science of the secrets of letters (ʻilm asrār al-ḥurūf), which predicts a person's character by knowing their name and their mother's name, especially since it does not rely on astrology and does not cause harm?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Learning alchemy (al-Sīmiyāʾ) or the science of the secrets of letters (ʿilm asrār al-ḥurūf) is forbidden, because it is a type of superstition and sorcery. It was not known in the early period of the Muslim nation, nor in the blessed generations, nor was it known among the people of truth and guidance. Rather, it emerged among the extremist Sufis and their claims of unveiling the veil of the senses and the appearance of miracles and supernatural feats.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/37050
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 37050
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy