#الأربعون_في_ذكر_الأربعين

8. Prayers Not Accepted for Forty Days for Consulting a Fortune-Teller Safiyyah reported that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ((مَنْ أَتَى عَرَّافًا، فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ؛ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً)). “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks them about anything, their prayers will not be accepted for forty nights.” [Reported by Muslim 2230] Brief Commentary: 1. A fortune-teller (kāhin) claims to know hidden or future events and secrets, whereas An ‘arrāf is said to deal more with the past, like finding, stolen items, locating lost things, etc. However, some scholars consider both terms to have the same meaning. 2. Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks questions, their prayers are not accepted for 40 days—even if they do not believe what is said. 3. The person must continue to pray during this period, but there is no reward for it. This shows the seriousness of the sin 4. Consulting fortune-tellers is divided into two cases: a) Asking out of curiosity: This leads to one's prayers not being rewarded for 40 days. b) Asking and believing them: This is more serious. It is described in another authentic hadith as disbelief (kufr). Note: Scholars have stated that referring to zodiac signs or horoscopes falls under the same ruling; prayers will not be accepted for forty days, and if one believes the predictions or claims, this amounts to kufr. 5. These punishments apply to those who do not repent. However, for those who repent, it appears that their repentance removes the punishment, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): ((التائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له)) “The one who repents from a sin is like someone who has no sin.” [Reported by Ibn Mājah, 4250; graded 'hasan' by Al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah]. 6. If someone goes to advise or expose the fortune-teller, this does not count as a sin. References: - Sheikh Salih Aal Ash-Sheikh's explanation of Kitab At-Tawḥīd - An-Nawawi's explanation of Sahih Muslim https://t.me/madrasatuna/6029