Question:
He works in a real estate layout promotion company run by Muslims. One day, his Managing Director asked him to drive to a place. They went to what appeared to be a religious hermit or priest’s place, similar to a temple. The MD asked the priest whether they should purchase a new property and showed him photos of the site. The priest closed his eyes and said there was a cremation ground nearby and large electric power lines nearby, and that land near the electric lines would not sell but the rest would sell. He advised them to perform certain rituals by breaking coconuts in the four corners of the site. The employee was surprised because the priest’s statements matched reality. The employee wonders whether this is shirk (associating partners with Allahﷻ) and how the priest could know these details from photos alone?
Answer:
The response explains that if a Muslim business owner consults a fortune teller or priest to predict business success, it is a grave violation in Islam. The Prophetﷺ said that whoever consults a fortune teller and believes him has rejected what was revealed to Prophetﷺ Muhammad. Such belief contradicts Islamic monotheism.
If someone believes a human can know unseen matters or change destiny through rituals, that belief conflicts with Islamic teachings that only Allahﷻ knows the unseen. The business owner must repent sincerely and return to Islamic faith. Otherwise, it is considered a very serious religious violation.
As for how such fortune tellers appear accurate, it is explained that they often rely on prior information, observation, or deception. They may collect information about clients beforehand or deduce details from photos or public data. They may use assistants to gather information secretly. Modern technology and social methods can also be used to create illusions of supernatural knowledge.
Therefore, it is not supernatural ability but prior knowledge or trickery. According to Islamic belief, only Allahﷻ knows hidden matters. Both the business owner and others involved may have been deceived.
If the owner is willing to accept advice, he should repent and return to proper Islamic belief. Otherwise, his religious standing and afterlife consequences are considered at risk.