Technically, tarot card readings are considered haram – forbidden in Islam. Yet that doesn’t stop many Muslims from being utterly fascinated by the mystical art of tarot.
Maybe you’ve found yourself up late at night watching YouTube videos of tarot readers doing spreads and explaining the meanings of the colorful cards. Or maybe you’ve even bought your own deck on the sly and do readings for yourself when no one’s looking.
Why Are Tarot Card Readings Considered Haram
Tarot card reading is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam because it involves divination, which is prohibited. However, many Muslims still find themselves drawn to tarot cards, secretly watching YouTube videos, or even doing their own readings, even if technically not religiously approved.
As Muslims, we know that only Allah knows what will happen. Tarot cards claim to reveal things about your life and what’s coming, but that goes against our faith since only Allah can know the future. Some say tarot is just about reflecting on yourself and your situation now, not really predicting the future. But tarot cards started as something mystical, and lots of people still use them to try and see what will happen.
Even being curious and wanting to see what the cards might say about your life now could lead you down the wrong path. At first, it might seem harmless fun, but before you know it, you could start believing in powers other than Allah or relying on the cards instead of having faith.
We have to follow the Quran and only trust in Allah. Looking for answers from anywhere else, even something seemingly small like tarot cards breaks that trust and could lead to other forbidden things. It’s hard, but we need to be patient and let the future remain unknown to anyone but Allah.
The Allure And Popularity of Tarot Cards For Muslims
Many Muslims find tarot cards really interesting, even though using tarot cards is against Islamic rules. Why are they so appealing? Well, tarot lets us satisfy our natural curiosity about what might happen in the future and what’s in store for our lives. The mysterious pictures on the cards are thought-provoking and open to different meanings.
Tarot can also provide guidance when we’re unsure of what to do or going through changes in our lives. When you feel lost or don’t know what to do next, a tarot reading may give you some possibilities to think about. Some see the cards as a tool to better understand themselves and make sense of situations. The readings are meant for self-reflection, not prediction.
Let’s be real, many Muslims today are interested in New Age or mystical topics like astrology, healing crystals, and tarot. Watching Western occult practices and wanting to explore spirituality beyond just Islamic teachings draws people in. Watching tarot videos on YouTube or TikTok, following readers on social media, and collecting artistic tarot card decks have become popular hobbies, especially among younger Muslims.
While tarot cards are considered a form of shirk and divination that is not allowed in Islam, their popularity will likely keep growing. The desire to peek at what could happen and find answers during life’s hardest times is very human, no matter your religious beliefs or background. For Muslims torn between faith and curiosity, tarot is really appealing.
How To Move Away From Haram Practices Like Tarot Towards A More Spiritual Life
To move away from haram practices like tarot and other practices that go against your faith toward a more spiritual life, here are some suggestions:
Focus On The Quran And Hadith
Spend more time reading and understanding the Quran and Hadith. These are the foundations of Islamic faith and guidance. Fill your mind and heart with the wisdom and teachings from Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Strengthen Your Faith
Work on strengthening your faith and conviction in Islam. Increase your knowledge about core beliefs, pillars of faith, and Islamic principles. The stronger your faith, the less appeal unislamic practices will have.
Find Halal Ways To Meet Your Needs
Often, people turn to haram acts out of curiosity, boredom, or to fulfill certain needs. Find halal alternatives to meet those needs. For example, if you seek spiritual insight or guidance, speak to a scholar or do istikhara. If you desire knowledge of the unseen world, read Islamic books on Sufism or stories of the Prophets.
Rely On Allah Alone
Ultimately, remember that Allah is the only one in control of the unseen world and the future. Seek only His guidance and help. Place complete trust in Him alone. This will eliminate the desire to turn to haram acts like tarot for answers or reassurance. Allah is the best planner and the best guide.
Repent And Make Dua
Repent sincerely for any involvement in tarot or other haram acts. Make dua to Allah to grant you steadfastness in faith and protect you from deviation. Ask for His mercy, forgiveness, and guidance. With repentance and reliance on Allah, you can overcome any attachment to haram practices, tarot included.
The Forbidden Fruit Isn’t Always Sweet
We all want to know what the future holds or get clarity on big life questions, and tarot seems to do that for a lot of people from all different faiths and cultures. So, if you’re feeling torn about trying it out, go easy on yourself. It’s only human to want answers, and we all wonder about destiny and spiritual things. Don’t be too hard on yourself for being curious – I think that’s just part of human nature, but always remember that Allah is the only one who knows the future.
