In Islam we, Muslims, put our trust in God, seek His protection and help, and accept His will. Unfortunately nowadays most of Muslims rather to follow the modern technology and therefore they believe such superstitious stories. The Internet, satellite broadcasts, cell phones, and other advancements in communication have exposed to us how weak Muslims are in sorting and verifying information and how easy they are willing to absorb ideas that are contrary to both the teachings of Islam and to good sense. In Europe the fear of the number thirteen, touching or knocking trees, take omens from cats, birds, and mice; sticks and greasy stone; sun and stars; or itching in one's body are just a few examples of these kind of beliefs. Weakening of our understanding and belief of faith leads to superstitions of one form or another.
Such fancy beliefs are the direct results of lack of belief in the All Knowledgeable, All-Powerful God who controls everything. We do not know what will happen to us tomorrow, but He does. Like i've told before, we must put our trust in Him and ask his help for everything.
In the pre-islamic era Arabs were as superstitious as anyone. They used to arrange their daily routines and even their journeys by "determining" that it would be safe to do so -- by looking at birds and beasts. If a bird flew from right to left in front of them, that was a bad omen: flight in the other direction was a good omen.They used to think that whenever this bird landed on anyone’s house, somebody who lived in that house would definitely die During travel, if a deer crossed going from right to left, the trip was cancelled. When they reached a destination, they would seek protection of jinn by supplicating to them.
But as Muslims When we're announcing a plan,we don't not knock on wood/trees; we say Inshallah (if Allah wills), putting our trust in our Creator. When embarking on a journey, we make supplication to Allah for our safety.
There were such beliefs like these ones;
Sihar - Magic - Jadu
Practicing magic is tantamount to kufr in Islam. Just as it is haraam for Muslims to consult with diviners or fortune tellers, it is likewise haram for them to seek the help of magicians, sangomas, witch-doctors etc.
Holy Prophet(pbuh) disowned such person saying: "Anyone who goes to a diviner, a practitioner of magic or a soothsayer, asking something and believing in it, denies what was revealed to Mohammed".
Omens and Charms
The same prohibiton applies to hanging charms, beads and amulets, in the belief that they will protect the bearer from evil spirits, bad luck or the evil eye.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) stated: "May Allāh not fulfill the hopes of the one who wears a charm; may Allāh not protect the one who hangs seashells (used as a charm in those days)". (Ahmed)
Another narration stated; "Whoever wears a charm will be left to rely on it". (Tirmidhi)
Soothsayers - Fortunetellers
There are certain impostors who pretend to know the future through contact with the "spirits". The Holy Qur'ān rejects the notion that anyone besides Allāh knows the future in the following verse: "Say - No one in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allāh".
The Holy Qur'ān states: "If I had knowledge of the unseen I should have had abundance of good and no evil should have touched me. Truly I am a Warner and a Giver of glad tidings to those who have faith".
Concerning the Jinn who laboured for Sulaiman alayhis salaam the Qur'ān states: "It became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have continued in the humiliating punishment of their task".
The Month of Safar
The month of Safar is regarded as a month of ill-fortune and bad luck. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a serpent that dwells in the stomach of man. It stirs to life in this month and causes various types of illnesses and diseases. Thus people are more prone to fall ill in this month. Because of the various evil omens attached to this month some Muslims regard:
*Nikāh contracted in this month to be bad luck and ill-fated.
*Any important business venture initiated in this month bound to collapse.
*The first thirteen days of this month to be specifically evil and bad luck.
Holy Prophet(pbuh) condemned such superstitious beliefs in various ahadīth.
A hadeeth narrated in Muslim states: "There is no (ill-fortune) in the month of Safar nor do evil spirits (exist)"
Another hadeeth states: "Do not revile time (i.e. do not regard any particular day, week or month to be bad, for I (Allāh) am the (embodiment) of all time"
However, a believer must completely rely on God, Holy Prophet(pbuh) said: “Allah replaces pessimism with reliance on Him.” Pessimism is a false and futile concept; it has no effect in determining events because they are all under the control and decree of Allah. This is why the Prophet(pbuh) used to dislike pessimism and love optimism; for one who is always optimistic has a high opinion of his Lord, which the believer is commanded to have.
There is no doubt that a believer faces the same uncertainties in life as the non-believer but he faces them with the help of Allah.
When we are unsure about a plan, we seek Allah's help in making up our mind. Here is the translation of the beautiful dua of Istikharah that we have been taught for the occasion:
"O Allah! I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
"O Allah! If in Your knowledge, this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs; immediate and in the distant future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs; immediate and in the distant future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it be and make me pleased with it."
Each word of this dua invites reflection. It shows how uncertainties in our life bring us closer to Allah. In Allah we put all our hopes, not in the cryptic words of an ignorant astrologer or soothsayer.
Supersititions are like hindrances of our free wills and Islam doesn't support that kind of beliefs and actions.
Peace and blessings.
