Graphology, Palmistry and Numerology
Fatwa No: 85039

Question

I would like to know whether the following are permissible:1) Graphology (hand writing analysis).2) Palmistry. 3) Numerology.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you mean to figure out one's habits by one’s handwriting, treatment or conduct with others, then there is no objection at all according to the Sharee’ah, reason or customs, especially if Allah has granted a special favor and brilliant mind to one who practices such deduction.

Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet said: “Fear the insight of a believer since he sees by the light of Allah.” [At-Tirmithi]

Then he (i.e. narrator) recited the verse in which Allah says (what means): {Indeed in that are signs for those who discern.} [Quran 15:75]

Ibn al-Qayyim said in his book “At-Turuq Al-Hukmiyyah”: “'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab was the master of those who see and understand by token (investigators).

There are so many incidents in the history of the righteous predecessors concerning this point “To understand by tokens.” This, in turn, is proved by modern psychology.

However, if by "handwriting" you mean what the soothsayers and jugglers use in their bad work, then this is a form of falsehood.

Also, palmistry and believing in influence of numerology on a human being are forms of falsehood, soothsaying, divination and seeking knowledge about the unseen by devils.

Islam prohibits such non-Islamic practices.

Allah Says (what means): {Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."} [Quran 27: 65]

The Prophet said: “Whoever learns something of astrology has, in fact, acquired some knowledge of magic, and the more knowledge he receives (in stars) the more will be in magic.” [Abu Daawood]

Thus, a Muslim's duty is to avoid such matters that bring nothing but wasting time and spoiling one's mind and belief.

Allah knows best.

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