Until a few months ago, I was a regular reader of horoscope-column in newspapers. Honestly,I don’t believe in horoscopes,but I feel good reading them. 
Though not a believer, I have never trashed anybody’s belief in this system.My friends,majority of them being hindus,are hard-core believers of astrology.They believe that everything is fore-written. Two of my dear,very dear friends,have not got married yet.They say,”There is some issues with my horoscope,as like Chowa Dosham..Hence it is possible for me to marry a guy of that type(horoscope) alone.One of them was in love with a man,but their relationship was not approved by the family as this guy belonged to a different(lower) caste.So,for this sole reason of horoscope incompatibility, both my friends are yet to get married,despite the infinite number of proposals coming up from various ends.Yesterday I talked with one of them and she was crying as she feels bad when her mother is always worried and upset over her increasing age.I was wondering why would and why should this stuff -horoscope-matter so much to human beings…And I started exploring the world of Astrology..
Astrology is the study of the influence that distant cosmic objects, usually stars and planets, have on human lives. The position of the sun, stars, moon and planets at the time of people’s birth (not their conception) is said to shape their personality, affect their romantic relationships and predict their economic fortunes, among other divinations.
Sun-sign astrology, which is the astrology upon which newspaper horoscopes are based. It is probably the simplest form, because nothing more than the date of someone’s birthday is needed to generate a sun-sign horoscope. To produce a more accurate reading, astrologers check to see what sign each planet was in at the time of birth .The planets and signs combine with other elements, such as houses and angles, to form a complex and often very specific profile of a subject’s personality, life and future prospects.
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
Each sign has certain characteristics; but the signs are also categorized in several ways. First, they are grouped by element:
- Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are associated with action, enthusiasm and leadership, as well as an openness to change.
- Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) embody emotion, sensitivity and compassion.
- Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) symbolize practicality and a focus on material goals.
- Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are the signs of the intellect.
Astrology is all about influence of celestial bodies upon unborn babies,i.e,when one is born,the time and location of celestial bodies determine or influence his/her future,his economic life,love life and so on.
Islamically,it is forbidden to believe in horoscopes.
Whoever goes to a soothsayer and believes in what he says, has denied what was revealed to Muhammad.”
The above ruling is based on the fact that what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asserts that the knowledge of the Unseen belongs to Allah alone and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has no knowledge of it, much less anyone else: “Say: I do not tell you that the treasures of Allah are with me or that I know the Unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel; I follow only what is revealed to me.” (Al-An`aam: 50)
If, after being aware of this clear and explicit statement of the Qur’an, a Muslim believes that some people can foretell future events and know the secrets of the Unseen, he has indeed denied what was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
I am wondering how can electro magnetic effect of planets ,time years away,can affect one’s destiny.. ?Maybe,maybe not..I have no much knowledge ,so I won’t comment..But isn’t it ‘too much’ that we spoil one’s life, make choices solely based on the horoscope provided by an astrologer..Or is it that we just ought to live life as per the instructions laid down by those planets far away….I don’t know…But I find it odd that somebody tells you that “You are now 18,you’ll get married at 24,get job at 32,have cancer aat 45,die at 56 “…
p.s: I know of many muslims who secretly visits astrologists..
Image courtesy :http://www.cnesbau-export.com/astrology_export.html
