Islamic view on seeing signs in nature to predict future events

27-10-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salaamu 3laikum, Recently there was a vote in our country whether to become independent or not. Some people took a photograph of a cloud which seemed to have the shape of our country breaking away from its neighbour, a few days before the vote. In the end, the country did not become independent, but I was wondering what is the Islamic view on seeing 'signs' in nature that suggest something about events taking place? Jazaak Allahu khair

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Future matters belong to the Unseen, and no one knows the Unseen but Allaah The Exalted, as He says (what means): {Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allaah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."} [Quran 27:65]

In regard to the incident in the question, then it proves that one cannot definitively assert anything about such matters of the Unseen; the evidence is that the result was contrary to what the viewer saw - if he really did see something - as in such situations people may lie in order to achieve electoral goals, for instance. Also, it is possible that he did see that cloud but he perceived it to be in the shape of his country because of his psychological state at the time.

In any case, we do not rely much on such incidents and nothing can be authoritatively said about them, and a Muslim should not be preoccupied by them. Rather, he should be concerned with what benefits him in this life and in the afterlife. Indeed, Allaah loves great matters and hates trivial ones.

Allaah Knows best.