What is the ruling on astronomy based on observing stars, measuring their ages, and calculating months, and what is the interpretation of the noble Hadith: "Whoever acquires knowledge from the stars has acquired a branch of magic; the more he acquires, the more it increases"?

The prohibited science of stars is the science of beings and events that have not yet occurred, such as the coming of rain and changes in prices. What is prohibited is the knowledge of events that have not occurred and may occur in the future, such as the times of wind blowing, the coming of rain, the falling of snow, and changes in prices. This is something that Allah alone has knowledge of. As for what is known through observation, such as knowing the time of Zawāl (midday) and the direction of the Qiblah, it is not included in the prohibition. Allah has made the stars for guidance in the darkness of land and sea and for knowing times and paths. It was narrated from Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "Learn from the stars what enables you to know the Qiblah and the path, then stop."