Is predicting the future haram?
The question of whether predicting the future is haram (forbidden) in Islam involves different interpretations across Sunni and Shia traditions.
According to Sunni scholarship, Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that knowledge of the future is solely in the hands of Allah. The Qur'an states: Lo! Allah! With Him is knowledge of the Hour. He sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
31:34 This verse emphasizes that only Allah possesses the knowledge of future events, and anyone who claims otherwise is viewed as lying. Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: The key to the unseen is five; only Allah knows them: no one knows what will happen tomorrow, nor what is in the wombs, nor what a soul will earn tomorrow, nor on which land they will die, nor when the rain will come.
Sahih al-Bukhari 15:34 Therefore, engaging in practices that attempt to predict the future, such as fortune-telling or consulting soothsayers, is considered haram.
On the other hand, according to Shia scholarship, as reflected in Majma al-Bayan, the emphasis remains on the belief that only Allah has knowledge of the unseen and the future. While discussing the sovereignty of Allah over all matters, the interpretations suggest that claiming knowledge of the future can lead to misunderstanding divine decree. Thus, similar to the Sunni view, Shia scholars also advise against practices that attempt to predict future events, as it goes against the belief in Allah's exclusive knowledge.
In summary, both Sunni and Shia perspectives hold that predicting the future is forbidden, as it contradicts the fundamental belief that only Allah has knowledge of what is to come. For specific situations and further guidance, it is advisable to consult a qualified local scholar.
Sources
-
31:34 · Luqman
31:34 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌۭ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًۭا ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِى نَفْسٌۢ بِأَىِّ أَرْضٍۢ تَمُوتُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۢ
Lo! Allah! With Him is knowledge of the Hour. He sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
-
Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 31:34
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 31:34
This verse addresses those aspects of the unseen knowledge that Allah, Exalted be He, has reserved exclusively to Himself. No one knows these except by His decree and disclosure. The knowledge of the Hour's timing is unknown to any prophet or exalted angel, as Allah says: “None reveals it [the Hour] at its time except Him” (Al-A'raf 7:187). Similarly, the sending down of rain is known only to Allah, but when He commands it, the angels charged with this task become aware, as do those among His creation He wills. Likewise, what is inside the womb—the gender, character, and attributes of what Allah wills to create—only He knows, but when He commands its creation as male or female, happy or unfortunate, the angels entrusted with this knowledge know of it as well, along with those humans of His choosing. Furthermore, no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow in its worldly or spiritual life, nor where it will die—no one knows in which land or place they shall meet their end. This mirrors Allah's statement: “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him” (Al-An'am 6:59). The prophetic tradition calls these five matters “the keys of the unseen.” Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrated from various chains of transmission that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Five matters are known only to Allah: the knowledge of the Hour, the sending down of rain, what is in the wombs, what a soul will earn tomorrow, and where it will die. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” This hadith is authentic though some collections have not recorded it. Narrations from Ibn Umar and Ibn Mas'ud support this teaching, recorded by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim among others. The Prophet ﷺ also declared: “I have been given the keys of everything except these five.” These key unseen realities remain concealed from all creatures, including prophets, angels, and any other being, and only Allah holds certainty over them. As for the knowledge of the Hour, no one knows its exact time—not the year, month, day, or hour. The sending of rain also remains unknown until Allah wills it; the water descends by His command upon the angels who carry out this decree. Regarding what is in the womb, no one knows whether it is a male or female, nor its nature, except as Allah makes it known through divine command to the angels. Similarly, a soul cannot predict precisely what it will earn tomorrow—whether good or evil. It also does not know the land where it will die; whether in its homeland or elsewhere, in the sea or on land, plain or mountain. No one is granted knowledge of this except as Allah wills. A hadith narrates that when Allah intends to take a person's soul in a particular land, He makes the soul inclined and drawn to that place until its appointed time arrives. Scholars like Qatada confirm that these are exclusive divine secrets not revealed even to a close angel or a prophet. Various authentic hadiths illustrate this, including dialogues between the Prophet ﷺ and Angel Gabriel, outlining these five keys of the unseen. The companion Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr, stated: anyone claiming knowledge of what will happen tomorrow is lying, and she recited the relevant verse: “And no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow.” This is a clear warning to mankind to be humble about their limited knowledge. Moreover, there are narrations emphasizing that no one knows the exact land of their death and that Allah arranges for the deceased's soul to be drawn toward that place. This is supported by sound hadith transmitted through multiple chains by chief scholars like Imam Ahmad, al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others. In summary, this verse sets forth the five exclusive divine secrets, the knowledge of which is confined to Allah alone. They remind humankind of the limits of their knowledge and of Allah's all-encompassing knowledge and control over creation and destiny. These teachings are emphasized with substantial prophetic narrations, authentic chains of transmission, and are foundational in Islamic belief concerning the unseen and divine decree.
-
Sahih al-Bukhari 15:34
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 15, Hadith 34 · Narrated by Ibn Umar
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'The key to the unseen is five; only Allah knows them: no one knows what will happen tomorrow, nor what is in the wombs, nor what a soul will earn tomorrow, nor on which land they will die, nor when the rain will come.'
Answers are generated and checked automatically; they may still be incomplete or imperfect. For religious rulings, consult a qualified scholar.
Ask your own question →