If sand divination refers to drawing lines or patterns in sand in order to discover hidden matters or predict future events, this practice is prohibited in Islam because it falls within practices associated with divination and claims of knowledge of the unseen.
A Muslim should not rely on such methods to discover matters known only to Allah, particularly future events or hidden information that cannot be established through legitimate means.
Was Sand Divination Revealed to Prophet Idris by Angel Gabriel?
Reports about Prophet Idris, peace be upon him, mention that he was the first to write with the pen. However, this does not establish that the form of sand divination used today to predict the unseen was revealed to him by Angel Gabriel.
Calling such a practice a “noble science” also requires qualification. Knowledge related to stars, calculation, writing, and observation is not necessarily subject to one ruling. Some forms are beneficial and permissible, while practices based on predicting unseen future events are prohibited.
What Does the Hadith About the Prophet Who Drew Lines Mean?
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There was a prophet who used to draw lines; whoever’s line corresponds to his, that is valid.”
Scholars explained that this referred to a particular prophet and a special matter associated with him. People today have no certain way of identifying that prophet’s exact method or determining that their own practice corresponds to it.
Therefore, the hadith cannot be used as a basis for permitting contemporary sand divination used to reveal the unseen.
Is All Knowledge Related to the Stars Prohibited?
No. Scholars distinguished between beneficial astronomical knowledge and astrology that claims to predict future events.
Using astronomical calculations to determine prayer times, directions, calendars, and similar matters is different from claiming knowledge of future events through stars or astrological signs.
Is It Permissible to Use Sand to Predict the Future?
Using sand, lines, symbols, or patterns to predict future events or uncover unseen matters is not permissible when it is based on claiming knowledge of the unseen.
Islam teaches that knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah alone. The Quran states: “Say: None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah.”
Conclusion
Sand divination is prohibited when it involves using lines, patterns, or symbols to claim knowledge of the unseen or predict future events.
Reports about Prophet Idris, peace be upon him, stating that he was the first to write with the pen do not establish that modern sand divination was revealed to him by Angel Gabriel.
The hadith concerning a prophet who drew lines is also not evidence for practicing contemporary sand divination, because the exact method and its correspondence cannot be established with certainty.
Is sand divination haram in Islam?
If it is used to reveal the unseen or predict future events, it is prohibited in Islam.
Was sand divination taught to Prophet Idris?
There is no definitive evidence establishing that the sand divination used to predict the unseen was revealed to Prophet Idris by Angel Gabriel.
What does the hadith about a prophet drawing lines mean?
It refers to a prophet who had a particular practice, but scholars explained that people today cannot establish with certainty that their own practice corresponds to his.
Is all astrology or star-related knowledge prohibited?
No. Beneficial astronomy used for timekeeping, directions, calendars, and similar purposes is distinct from astrology that claims knowledge of future events.
Can sand be used to predict the future?
No, not when it is used to claim knowledge of the unseen or predict future events.
