Astrology in the early Islamicate World
Let's Talk Religion・2 minutes read
Astrology, a field within occult sciences, has roots in ancient civilizations and was widely practiced in the Islamic world despite controversy. Islamic scholars like Al-Kindy and Abu Mashad theorized on astrology's workings, aiming to legitimize it as a natural science with celestial influences on Earth.
Insights
- Astrology, considered "the science of the judgments of the stars," has roots in ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Greeks, predating Islam and influencing later European occult sciences.
- Islamic astronomers like Ibn Taymiyah condemned astrology as a dangerous pseudoscience, contrasting with Islamic astrologers who viewed heavenly bodies as secondary causes to God, showcasing a complex relationship with the practice.
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Recent questions
What is the difference between astrology and astronomy?
Astronomy studies celestial bodies' movements, while astrology focuses on their effects and uses, such as predicting events and personality traits based on their positions.
How did Islamic astronomers view astrology?
Islamic astronomers like Ibn Haitham and Al-Farabi did not favor astrology, considering it impermissible and a dangerous pseudoscience, showcasing a complex relationship with the practice.
Who theorized on astrology's workings in early Islamic communities?
Islamic figures like Al-Kindy and Abu Mashad theorized on astrology, introducing concepts like stellar rays to explain celestial influences and legitimize astrology as a natural science.
What role did astrology play in the Islamic world?
Despite controversy, astrology was widely practiced in the Islamic world, from commoners to scholars, impacting later European occult sciences and being central to the practical art of magic.
How did Islamic astrologers view the influence of heavenly bodies?
Islamic astrologers viewed heavenly bodies as secondary causes to God, attributing ultimate power to Him while theorizing about stars and planets' influence on Earth and the elements.
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