Tarot is a deck of cards that is used for divination, or the practice of predicting the future. The cards are believed to hold spiritual or symbolic meaning, and a skilled reader, or tarotist, can use the cards to answer questions or provide guidance on a person’s life. While tarot has a long history and has been used by many people for many purposes, its use for divination is the most well-known.
Some people believe that tarot cards have the power to reveal hidden truths and provide insight into a person’s life. The cards are typically arranged in a spread, with each position in the spread representing a different aspect of the person’s life or question they have asked. The tarotist then interprets the cards based on their positions in the spread and their relationship to each other.
While tarot is not considered haram, or forbidden, by all Muslims, some interpretations of Islamic law view divination as haram. Divination is the practice of using supernatural or magical means to predict the future, and some people believe that tarot falls into this category.
It is generally considered haram (forbidden) to believe in or practice divination, which includes using tarot cards. This is because divination is seen as a form of seeking knowledge or guidance from sources other than God, and Islam teaches that only God has complete knowledge and control over the future. Belief in or practice of divination is also considered a form of shirk, which is the sin of attributing partners to God or seeking help from other beings besides God.
However, it is important to note that Islamic teachings and practices can vary among different sects and schools of thought within Islam. Some Muslims may believe that tarot reading or other forms of divination are acceptable, while others may consider them haram.
Ultimately, whether or not tarot is considered haram depends on an individual’s interpretation of Islamic law and their own personal beliefs. Some Muslims may see tarot as a harmless form of entertainment, while others may view it as a sinful or forbidden practice.
Tarot, generally can be quite contentious through religions, especially Abrahamic religions. The question as to whether Tarot is Good or Evil comes up quite a lot. Some view any form of divination as abhorrent, others see it more of a game, nothing to be taken seriously.
Some religions have a core concept of what is right and wrong, permitted or forbidden. Islam and Judaism are two well known examples of this. Their followers use rules to guide their lives into what acts and foods are allowed, and which ones are not.
Tarot is not explicitly mentioned in the great texts of either, which is not surprising, as Tarot was invented over a thousand years after the Qu’ran was written, and many more years after the Tanakh. This article will explore Islam and it’s stance on divination. (Spoiler: it’s not a positive one).
Both texts from Judaism and Islam mention soothsayers. Divination has been practised in one form of another for thousands of years, possibly even the length of human history. There are some interesting passages about divination in religious texts; usually negative.
To start with, it is safe to say that Tarot is considered Haram (not permitted to be practised) within the Islamic faith. Islam views divination and seekers as an insult to Allan and Muhammed.
In Islamic teachings, fortune-telling and divination are considered acts of shirk (associating partners with God), as they involve seeking knowledge of the unseen through means other than those permitted by Allah. As such, Muslims are generally discouraged from engaging in practices that involve the use of tarot cards or any other form of divination.
It is important to note that Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom, but this should be done through means that are permissible and in accordance with Islamic values and principles.
There is a belief that when an act of divination occurs, the Diviner is in actuality talking to Jinn (or Djinn (Genies)), spirits who have their own agendas. “They twist the word of heaven and spell it out to the diviner, who then adds their own lies”. An interesting quote that puts both diviners and the querent in a negative light.
Seeking a Soothsayer to find our your future is seen as an act of faithlessness. It is said that whomever wants to know the future has no faith in what Allah has laid out for them. Tarot reading, and interpreting Tarot cards would surely fall under this category.
Is Tarot Haram?
Tarot is a deck of cards that is used for divination, or the practice of predicting the future. The cards are believed to hold spiritual or symbolic meaning, and a skilled reader, or tarotist, can use the cards to answer questions or provide guidance on a person’s life. While tarot has a long history and has been used by many people for various purposes, its use for divination is the most well-known.
Some people believe that tarot cards have the power to reveal hidden truths and provide insight into a person’s life. The cards are typically arranged in a spread, with each position in the spread representing a different aspect of the person’s life or question they have asked. The tarotist then interprets the cards based on their positions in the spread and their relationship to each other.
Islamic Perspective on Tarot
In the context of Islamic teachings, the practice of divination, which includes the use of tarot cards, is generally considered haram (forbidden). This stems from the broader Islamic prohibition against seeking knowledge or guidance from supernatural sources other than God. Islam teaches that only God has complete knowledge and control over the future, and any attempt to predict or influence the future through divination is seen as an act of shirk, or the sin of associating partners with God.
Shirk and Divination
Shirk is considered one of the gravest sins in Islam, as it involves attributing divine qualities to entities other than Allah. In the case of tarot and other forms of divination, the act is viewed as relying on powers or beings other than God to gain insight or foreknowledge, which directly contradicts the Islamic principle of Tawhid (the oneness of God). This belief is grounded in several verses of the Quran, such as:
“And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…” (Quran 2:102)
This verse underscores the Islamic viewpoint that any form of magic or divination, often associated with the work of devils or jinn, is a deviation from true faith.
Variations in Interpretation
While the mainstream Islamic view is that tarot and other forms of divination are haram, there are variations in interpretation among different sects and scholars. Some may argue that the use of tarot cards as a form of psychological or personal exploration, without the belief in supernatural guidance, could be more acceptable. However, this view is less common and still controversial within the broader Islamic community.
Historical Context and Religious Texts
The Quran and Hadith, the primary sources of Islamic law and guidance, contain numerous references that condemn the practice of soothsaying and divination. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:
“Whoever goes to a fortune teller and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights.” (Sahih Muslim 2230)
This hadith highlights the severe disapproval of seeking knowledge from sources other than God. Additionally, historical practices of divination in pre-Islamic Arabia, which often involved idols and various forms of sorcery, were explicitly condemned by Islam as part of its monotheistic reform.
Comparison with Other Abrahamic Religions
Judaism
Like Islam, Judaism also has strict prohibitions against divination. The Torah explicitly forbids practices such as soothsaying, necromancy, and the use of omens:
“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
This passage reflects a similar stance to that of Islam, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance solely from God and rejecting any form of occult practices.
Christianity
Christian views on divination also align with those of Islam and Judaism, condemning practices that seek knowledge from supernatural sources other than God. The Bible states:
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)
In Christianity, divination is often seen as opening oneself up to demonic influences, which goes against the teachings of relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom.
Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Tarot
Despite the religious prohibitions, tarot and other forms of divination have persisted across various cultures and time periods. This persistence can be attributed to several factors, including the human desire for control over the future, the appeal of the mystical, and the psychological benefits some people find in these practices.
Psychological Interpretation
From a psychological perspective, tarot readings can be viewed as a form of self-reflection and insight. The symbolic nature of the cards allows individuals to project their own thoughts and feelings, leading to personal revelations that can be therapeutic. In this context, the cards are not seen as tools for predicting the future but rather as a means of exploring one’s own psyche.
Cultural Significance
Tarot has also held cultural significance in various societies, often intertwined with folklore and traditions. In some cultures, divination practices are integrated into rites of passage, festivals, and other communal activities. This cultural embedding can make the practice more acceptable or even revered within certain contexts, despite religious prohibitions.
While tarot and other forms of divination are generally considered haram in Islam due to their association with shirk and the seeking of knowledge from sources other than God, interpretations can vary. The prohibitions in Islam are rooted in the broader monotheistic framework that emphasizes reliance on God’s wisdom and guidance. Similar prohibitions exist in other Abrahamic religions, highlighting a common theme of rejecting occult practices.
However, the enduring popularity of tarot across different cultures suggests that it fulfills certain psychological and cultural needs for many people. For Muslims, the decision to engage with tarot is ultimately a personal one, influenced by their interpretation of Islamic teachings and their individual beliefs. As with many religious and cultural practices, the discussion around tarot is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the diverse ways in which people seek meaning and guidance in their lives.