In the UAE, cards do not favour astrology

Islamic scholars say trying to find out about one's future is forbidden for Muslims but people who spoke to The National say they seek meaningful advice about relationships and their careers with astrologers.

ABU DHABI // Even though many people visit astrologers, lawyers say it is legally a grey area, and Islamic scholars say it is forbidden for Muslims.

One astrologer who practices here is G A, an Indian who says she has about a dozen regular clients.

She said help with relationship issues was the main reason people came to see her, whether it was with their spouses, children or colleagues.

“There are many clients who want someone not only to listen to their problem but also help them to find the solution,” said G A, who has been working as an astrologer for the past 10 years.

She offers tarot card reading and Feng Shui advice.

She rejected the notion that astrology is related to any religion.

“It is a science and should not be related with any faith. My clients belong to different faiths,” she said.

A R, 37, a corporate banker in Dubai, has been seeking G A’s advice for five years.

She, too, denied the practice had any religious undertones.

“You can find lots of astrologer advertisements in many entertainment and lifestyle magazines. Many radio stations, especially Hindi radio language ones, take live calls answered by astrologers in the studio,” she said.

A R said she sees G A for help with her personal and professional challenges. However, there is no dearth of bogus astrologers, she said.

“There are many cheater astrologers in the market who lure people with fancy commitments, take lots of money and their advice never helps them. One should be careful about them,” the banker said.

Manisha Sugandh, 32, an Indian businesswoman who also regularly sees an astrologer, believed it was a harmless practice.

“It is a science and art both,” she said, while agreeing that there was a problem with bogus astrologers in the UAE.

“People are living with constant stress and fears clouding their minds about uncertainties in their love relationships, marriages, professional careers and their finances,” she said.

“Fake astrologers play on the vulnerability and insecurities of people and make commercial gains by offering solutions, like wearing gemstones related to certain planets and offering religious ceremonies to ease or reduce a stress or problem which in most cases is a temporary solution.

“There should be an organisation that certifies individuals and offers degrees and registers authentic astrologers, palm readers, tarot readers or holistic therapist and healers. It will eventually help the people to choose the registered astrologers for consultancy.”

Lawyer K S Abdul Azeez said giving people astrological advice is not a direct offence under UAE law, unless it harms anyone or they charge for the service.

However, because it is forbidden in Islam, the astrologers’ activities can be called into question.

“The UAE does not provide any licence to astrologers to practise. And if anyone is practising it as a business and is earning money, then it is an offence,” said Mr Azeez, who works at Amal AlKhamees legal services in Dubai.

Islamic scholars say that trying to predict one’s future is forbidden.

They refer to knowledge of stars and planetary calculation as Tanjeem.

“It is forbidden in Islam and it is considered one of the major sins,” said Maulana Baseer, a khateeb who delivers sermons at a mosque in Dubai.

He said there were several verses in the Quran and Hadiths from the Prophet Mohammed that stated how serious a sin it was.

“It is considered as sinful as black magic,” he said.

Mr Baseer said Islam teaches that only Allah knows one’s future and using a fortune teller, such as an astrologer or palm reader, is considered haram.