Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What is the ruling on just reading horoscopes, and compare them with what really happens, without believing in them?
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad, his folk, companions, and followers
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited believing in or acting upon the words of astrologers, and the like.
As for simply reading them, it would be a pointless waste of time and thus blameworthy. When there is any reason to fear being influenced by them, then it would be necessary to avoid.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said that, “Whoever goes to an astrologer or diviner and believes them has disbelieved in that which has been revealed to Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).” [Related by Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, and Ibn Maja; Abu Dawud has it with very similar wording]
The reason for this is because it goes against out firm belief that it is only Allah Most High who benefits and harms, and our firm moral responsibility to seek sound means and to avoid baseless superstition, and dark and harmful ways.
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani