Belief in Superstition is Forbidden in Islam
Many beliefs and practices observed in the daily lives of Muslims around the world unfortunately have no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. Superstition often stems from ignorance of the fundamental teachings of Islam, particularly the concept of divine decree - the belief that nothing occurs except by Allah’s will, in line with His divine wisdom, which humans may not always fully comprehend.
The Quran consistently challenges beliefs and practices that lack evidence, scientific rationale, or sound logic. It is clear from the following verse that Satan is determined to introduce false beliefs and practices as part of his evil scheme:
Allah said:
ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ ۖ مِّنَ ٱلضَّأْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمَعْزِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۗ قُلْ ءَآلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا ٱشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۖ نَبِّـُٔونِى بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ١٤٣ وَمِنَ ٱلْإِبِلِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ ٱلْبَقَرِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۗ قُلْ ءَآلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا ٱشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۖ أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ وَصَّىٰكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ بِهَـٰذَا ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ كَذِبًا لِّيُضِلَّ ٱلنَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ١٤٤
They are] eight mates - of the sheep, two and of the goats, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of
the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge, if you should be truthful." And of the camels, two and of the cattle, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah to mislead the people by [something] other than knowledge? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people." (Quran: Al an’raam 143-144)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned against the dangers of superstition:
مَن رَدَّتْهُ الطِّيَرَةُ من حَاجَةٍ فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ قالوا يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ما كَفَّارَةُ ذلك قال أن يَقُولَ أَحَدُهُمْ : اللهم لاَ خَيْرَ إلا خَيْرُكَ وَلاَ طَيْرَ إلا طَيْرُكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ .
“Whoever lets tiyarah (superstition) stop him from doing something has committed an act of shirk.” They said, “What is the expiation for that?” He said, “To Say: O Allah, there is no good except Your good, no birds[2] except Yours[3], and there is no one worthy of worship besides You. [Hadith: Musnad Ahmad[4]]
Therefore, it is in a person's best interest to disregard superstition, as it can disrupt their life.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim explains:
“...His heart becomes attached to something other than Allah in terms of worship and reliance, corrupting both his heart and faith. He will be constantly troubled by superstitious thoughts, and Shaytaan will lead him into actions that will harm both his religious and worldly affairs. Many have been ruined by such superstitions, losing out in both this world and the hereafter.”
In conclusion, belief in superstition is a form of misguidance that can corrupt one's faith and lead to harmful consequences in both this life and the hereafter. Islam calls for reliance solely on Allah and the rejection of baseless superstitions.