Yes, it is haram to claim to know the future in Islam.
Understanding the Islamic Perspective on Knowing the Future
Islam teaches that knowledge of the unseen (ghayb), including detailed future events, is exclusively with Allah (God). No human has access to this knowledge. Claims of knowing the future are considered a serious transgression, as they infringe upon God's unique attribute of possessing ultimate and complete knowledge.
Key Points from the Fatwa:
- Claiming Knowledge of the Unseen is Forbidden: The provided fatwa clearly states that "It is not permissible for anyone to claim to know the unseen." This means that no individual can truthfully assert that they know the future in detail.
- No Definite Knowledge of the Future: The fatwa also emphasizes that "No one should claim such definite knowledge of what happens in the future." This reinforces the idea that predicting specific future events with certainty is not allowed.
Permitted Predictions
The fatwa clarifies that not all predictions are forbidden. It acknowledges that:
- Weather Predictions are Acceptable: "It is not wrong to predict the weather or say something based on our experience of nature's laws." This means that general predictions based on observable patterns, like weather forecasting, are permissible. These are based on understanding the natural world created by Allah and not claims of knowledge of the unseen.
Examples and Practical Insights
Here is an easy-to-understand summary:
| Action | Islamic Ruling | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Claiming to know specific future events | Haram (Forbidden) | This infringes on Allah's exclusive knowledge of the unseen. This includes fortune-telling and horoscopes as definitive predictions. |
| Making weather predictions | Permissible | This is based on observing natural patterns and laws created by Allah and is not claiming knowledge of the unseen. |
| Making predictions based on experience | Permissible | Using past experiences to predict possible future outcomes (e.g., planting a crop and expecting a harvest) is permissible and based on natural laws. |
Why is Claiming Knowledge of the Future Haram?
- Upholding Monotheism: It reinforces the Islamic principle of Tawhid (Oneness of God) by acknowledging Allah's unique knowledge and power.
- Protecting Belief: It safeguards people from placing trust in unreliable and potentially harmful sources of information.
- Encouraging Righteous Action: Focuses on the present and striving for good rather than obsessing over unknown future events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is allowed to make predictions about the future based on observable patterns of natural law, claiming to know the details of future events is forbidden in Islam.
