Pre-islamic Age of Ignorance:  One of the beliefs that had an indisputable place and practice among the Arabs during the pre-islamic age of ignorance period was the belief in fortune-telling with the fortune-telling arrows called “Ezlâm” to determine the good or bad, good or bad. When they wanted to do important things such as going on a journey, making a trade, marrying a woman, they would draw fortune arrows to see whether the outcome would be auspicious or not, or in disputes of descent, blood feuds, determination of aqīl[594] and other similar important affairs, they would draw fortune arrows. These arrows were kept in a bag in the hand of the keeper of Hübel, the biggest idol of Quraysh. Those who wanted to draw arrows of luck would come to the idol of Hübel, give the guard a hundred dirhams, and the guard would draw arrows for them from the bag. There were seven arrows in the bag. The following lines were written on these arrows: “My Lord commanded me”, “He forbade me”, “He is from you”, “He is not from you”, “He is adjacent to you”, “Akl” and “Gufî”. Each of these arrows signified the following meanings: If it is written “My Lord has commanded me”, then that deed is done. If it is written “He forbade me”, it is postponed for a year. If it is written, “He is from you”, the child’s parentage has been established. If it is written, “He is not from you,” the child is not his. If it is written, “He is next to you,” the child’s parentage is unknown. If it is written “Aql”, the parentage has been determined. If it is written “Gufl”, this arrow is empty. In order to determine the aqilah who will pay the diet, the drawing of the arrow is repeated until the arrow labelled “Aql” comes out. The result of drawing these arrows is binding.[595]

ISLAM: It is forbidden for you to seek fortune with fortune arrows. This is fısk (going astray).[596]

Nowadays: When we consider the purpose of this ignorant custom, we see that it is used in various ways in almost every part of the world today. These actions are carried out in order to obtain knowledge of the unseen or to believe that things are taken care of within the circle of faith. Some people tell fortunes or have their fortunes read. When these people are criticised, they say, “We do it for entertainment purposes, don’t believe in fortune telling, don’t be fortune-teller”. We, as Muslims, are not obliged to act according to our own understanding. Even if it is really for entertainment purposes or even if what is said is not believed, to be involved in this action is to act on something forbidden, and it means taking the commands of Allah (swt) lightly. This is not limited to fortune-telling. Psychics, soothsayers or those who are called jinn are all within this scope. Society is full of people who convince themselves that “money will come from where they do not expect” or “they will be relieved until three times”. We hear that not only ignorant people, but also rich, educated, scholarly people or people who take an active role in the administration of the country are in favour of these works. The purpose of going to these places is to obtain information about whether travelling, trade or choosing a wife is auspicious or not, just like in the time of Jahiliyyah. It is difficult to find anything compatible with reason in the endeavour to obtain news about the future through the formation or remains of solid or liquid substances. According to Islam, the knowledge of the realm of the unseen, which is characterised as the realm that is invisible or incomprehensible, that is, the realm that cannot be perceived with the mind and the five senses, is reserved for Allah alone. The Holy Qur’an states this as follows.

Allah (swt) says:

The knowledge of the unseen belongs only to Allah.[597]Say, none knows the unseen in the heavens and the earth except Allah. [The keys of the unseen are with Allah. Only He knows them.[599]

[594] Diet is to pay the required dowry for a murder

[595] Ali Celik, All Aspects of Islam in Asr’ı Saadette, Volume 4, p. 74

[Surat al-Ma’ida, Verse 3

[597] Surah Yunus, Verse 20

[598] Surah al-Naml, Verse 65

[599] Surat al-Anam, Verse 59