evil in the very ones who are the source of every good—the messengers, peace be upon them. Such a notion could only arise because misguidance had sunk deep into their souls and their natural disposition had become inverted. Otherwise, both good and evil occur by Allah’s decree and pre-ordainment, unfolding in accordance with His wisdom and knowledge as a pure act of grace. Good is a favor from Him and a reward for obedience, whereas evil is His justice, meted out as recompense and punishment for sin. The Exalted says: “Whatever good comes to you is from Allah, and whatever misfortune befalls you is from your own self.” ⦗1⦘
Augury is polytheism because it attaches one’s heart to something other than Allah; it assumes that harm can originate from a creature that cannot bring benefit or harm even to itself; it springs from Satan’s insinuations; and it issues from a heart filled with fear and apprehension. In all of this it contradicts reliance (tawakkul) on Allah.
Consider the Prophet’s warnings against augury. Al-Bukhārī and Muslim both report that the Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no contagion in and of itself, no augury, no owl, and no Safar.” He also said, “There is no contagion and no augury; rather, what pleases me is a good omen.” They asked, “What is a good omen?” He replied, “A pleasant word.” (Agreed upon.)
Ibn Masʿūd relates—traced back to the Prophet—“Augury is polytheism, augury is polytheism.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim records that Muʿāwiyah ibn al-Ḥakam said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, “Some of us still take auguries.” He replied, “That is merely a notion one of you finds within himself; let it not hold you back.” Thus the Prophet ﷺ made it clear that any harm or pessimism produced by augury lies only in a person’s own self and creed, not in the object taken as an omen. It is his imagination, fear, and act of associating partners with Allah that unsettle him and deter him because of what he has seen or heard.
In this way the Prophet ﷺ clarified to his community the futility of augury: Allah, glorified be He, has not made it a sign for them, placed in it any indication, or established it as a cause for the dangers they fear. Rather, their hearts should find tranquility and their souls repose in His oneness—exalted is He—for which He sent His messengers, revealed His scriptures, and created the heavens and the earth. In so doing he severed every attachment to polytheism from their hearts. Whoever therefore grasps the firm handhold of pure monotheism, clings to Allah’s sturdy rope, and places his trust