16
poetry, or similar means of seeking guidance about what a person should do or refrain from doing. Such practices are forbidden because they fall under seeking decisions through divining arrows. Rather, one is encouraged to seek the Creator’s guidance, consult His creatures, and rely on scriptural evidence that clarifies what Allah loves and is pleased with, and what He dislikes and forbids.
These practices are sometimes intended to determine whether an action a person undertakes is good or evil, and sometimes to ascertain what is beneficial in matters past and future. Neither use is sanctioned by Islamic law. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, knows best.
الشِّعْرِ أَوْ نَحْوُ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا يَطْلُبُ بِهِ الْخِيَرَةَ فَمَا يَفْعَلُهُ الرَّجُلُ وَيَتْرُكُهُ يُنْهَى عَنْهَا لِأَنَّهَا مِنْ بَابِ الِاسْتِقْسَامِ بِالْأَزْلَامِ وَإِنَّمَا يُسَنُّ لَهُ اسْتِخَارَةُ الْخَالِقِ وَاسْتِشَارَةُ الْمَخْلُوقِ وَالِاسْتِدْلَالُ بِالْأَدِلَّةِ الشَّرْعِيَّةِ الَّتِي تُبَيِّنُ مَا يُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَيَرْضَاهُ وَمَا يَكْرَهُهُ وَيَنْهَى عَنْهُ.
وَهَذِهِ الْأُمُورُ تَارَةً يُقْصَدُ بِهَا الِاسْتِدْلَالُ عَلَى مَا يَفْعَلُهُ الْعَبْدُ:
هَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ أَمْ شَرٌّ؟ وَتَارَةً الِاسْتِدْلَالُ عَلَى مَا يَكُونُ فِيهِ نَفْعٌ فِي الْمَاضِي وَالْمُسْتَقْبَلِ. وَكُلًّا غَيْرُ مَشْرُوعٍ وَاَللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى أَعْلَمُ.