Although astrology itself is very popular, it lacks scientific validity, and its Islamic viewpoint is skeptical for many of us. In this blog, I am discussing some key elements for a basic understanding.

What is a Zodiac Sign?

Based on astrology, the position of the sun, moon, and planets at the time of birth at a given location determines a person’s traits and circumstances in life. Besides, many astrologers can interpret the probability of events in your life in regards to love, fortune, career, finance, and future events.

What is a Horoscope?

The interpretation of events dictated by zodiac signs in correspondence to the sun, moon, and rising sign or zodiac placement is known as a horoscope.

People have been using zodiac signs as a way to:

• Check horoscopes on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis.
• Find out if a friend or partner is compatible with them.
• Learn about their personality traits.
• Explore other daily, weekly, or monthly readings.

The science of astrology is the knowledge of occult. The sign, for example, Cancer, represented by a crab, is based on the way stars are aligned to create a shape resembling a crab. This knowledge has been revealed to those who were on a quest to understand how it affects life on Earth.

Astrology, whether Vedic or Western, is sometimes described by its practitioners as having an accuracy rate of 90% and 70% respectively.

Islamic Perspective About Zodiac Signs

Allah alone is the One who knows the unseen (Al-Ghayb)—a fact that Islam teaches. The future can only be known by Allah Almighty.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ

“And He is the One Who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon—each travelling in an orbit.”

Surah Al-Anbiya 21:33

Another verse states:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمْسَ ضِيَاءً وَٱلْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُۥ مَنَازِلَ لِّتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ ٥

“He is the One Who made the sun a radiant source and the moon a reflected light, with precisely ordained phases, so that you may know the number of years and calculation of time. Allah did not create all this except for a purpose. He makes the signs clear for people of knowledge.”

Surah Yunus 10:5

The Quran reveals that the sun, moon, and stars are signs of Allah and are used by people of knowledge for navigation. They help people navigate their way through darkness, while the energy and influence of celestial bodies are interpreted by some as having an effect on individuals or collectives here on Earth.

Astrology is also viewed by some as a way of knowing the self better and deeper. When you shed light on the shadows, you can work through them. Focusing on your innate skills and qualities rather than looking in a direction that is not meant for you can help you avoid staying stuck.

Astronomical and Astrological Differences

Astrology and astronomy are two different things, despite having similar names.

• Astronomy is a branch of science that studies the formation and behavior of the cosmos through observation, physics, and mathematics.
• Astrology is a belief system based on energy that attempts to explain the effects the cosmos creates on Earth on an individual or collective level.

Final Thoughts

Astrology is a form of knowledge explored by those who seek to understand themselves. It can be viewed as a tool for self-reflection, helping people recognize their strengths and weaknesses and make thoughtful choices—not as a fortune-telling method, but as a way of gaining wisdom and caution about what may go wrong if things are not done correctly.

My sincere advice to readers is to invest in your own self, appreciate your strengths, and work through fears and failures with wisdom and kindness in order to become a more balanced individual.

Concluding with a verse from the Quran:

وَٱلْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَٰهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَٱلْعُرْجُونِ ٱلْقَدِيمِ

“As for the moon, We have ordained ˹precise˺ phases for it, until it ends up looking like an old, curved palm stalk.”

Surah Ya-Sin 36:39

The Moon’s precise order and phases are observable, while science explains that the Moon’s gravitational influence affects ocean water levels and contributes to high tides. So, it is for us to reflect on the signs and symbols shown to us. Nothing is meaningless, and every matter has energy—the simple formula.