Imam al-Bukhari recorded in his Sahih that Qatadah said: "Allaah created the stars for three purposes:
(1) As ornaments of the heavens;
(2) As missiles against the devils; and
3) As signposts for the guidance of travelers. Whoever interprets otherwise is mistaken. Such a person is to lose his reward (on the Day of Resurrection), and takes upon himself that which is outside his knowledge."
Abu Musa (RA) said, "Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "Three (types of people) will not enter Paradise:
(1) The habitual wine drinker;
(2) The believer in sorcery (and astrology is among it), and
(3) The one who severs blood relations. "(Ahmad)
The Messenger ofAllaah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "My Ummah will not abandon four undesirable matters from the period of Ignorance (period previous to Islam). They are:
(1) Over pridefulness in ancestors;
(2) Defaming or slandering someones lineage;
(3) Seeking rain according to the stars, and
(4) Lamentation and wailing of women for the dead." He further said, "She will be raised on the Day of Resurrection covered with a dress of liquid pitch, and a cloak of itches." (Muslim)
Narrated Zaid bin Khalid (RA): Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Fajr prayer at Hudaibiyah after a rainy night. On completion of the salat, he faced the people and said:
"Do you know what your Lord has said (revealed)?" The people replied, "Allaah and His Messenger know better." He said:
"Allaah has said, In this morning, some of Ibadi (My slaves) remained as true believers and some became disbelievers. Whoever said that the rain was due to the blessings and the mercy of Allaah is the one who believes in Me and he disbelieves in the stars. And whoever said that it rained because of a particular star, is a disbeliever in Me arid a believer in the stars. "(Bukhari)
It is reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas that there was (once) a downpour during the life of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Upon this the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) observed: "Some people entered the morning with gratitude and some with ingratitude (to Allaah). Those who entered with gratitude said: This is the blessing of Allaah, and those who entered with ingratitude said: Such and such a star was the cause. It was upon this that the verse was revealed:
"I swear by the setting of the stars" (Q56:75-82) (Muslim)
Important Issues
1. The punishment promised for those who believed in any aspect of sorcery though knowing fully well that sorcery is falsehood.
2. The four undesirable customs of the pre-Islamic period.
3. The Kufr (disbelief) contained in some of them.
4. That some acts of disbelief do not expel one from the religion (of Islam).
5. The scholars teaching to students byway of a question to explain the issue as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Do you know what your Lord has said (revealed)?"
6.Explanation of the verses in al-Waqiah (Q56:75-82)
7. Punishment promised to the wailing women.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited