Question regarding an aayah of Surah Luqmaan

Q: Can you please comment on the following Hadith as we can know to a certain percentage when it will rain and we can know what is in the womb, even the gender of the child. Also, can't some part of the future be known by astrology and palmistry, etc. Although, I know it is totally haraam.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle ﷺ said, "Keys of the unseen knowledge are five which nobody knows but Allah:
* nobody knows what will happen tomorrow;
* nobody knows what is in the womb;
* nobody knows what he will gain tomorrow;
* nobody knows at what place he will die;
* and nobody knows when it will rain."

References al-Bukhari Book of Dua' for Rain (Istisqaa) #149 al-Bukhari 1039 Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 149 Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 2, Book of Dua' for Rain (Istisqaa), Hadith 149

A: What the aayat of Surah Luqman refers to is direct, holistic and intrinsic knowledge without any medium for receiving such knowledge. Further, it also refers to the exact details of every fetus of every creation, animals and humans, from the time of inception right until birth and beyond, during every stage of development. This cannot be acquired by technology. Hence, such knowledge is exclusive with Allah Ta`ala. Similar is the case of weather forecasts, etc. The weatherman forecasts rain and winds etc. in advance, but he is unable to point out the exact amount of rain and the exact location of the rain. It is an estimate with a great chance of error.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

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