Short answer
No layout, number or animal year can tell you what is coming. Islam teaches that only God (﷾) knows the unseen: "None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden" (27:65). Good and harm come from Him alone, not from a direction, a number or a day (10:107). The Prophet (ﷺ) swept away the omens of his own people, and the same principle covers every sign of luck. Arranging a home for light, air and order is good sense, and Islam welcomes it. What Islam rejects is the claim that a layout, a number or a birth year shapes your fortune. In its place Islam gives a prayer: before any choice, ask the One who knows. Then act, and trust Him: "if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him" (65:3).
Full explanation
What these customs promise
Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice of arranging a home or a building to bring people into harmony with their surroundings. Families often choose an auspicious (lucky) day for a wedding, a funeral or a move. They find it in the Chinese almanac or ask a feng shui expert. Some numbers are prized and others avoided. In Mandarin, Cantonese and other Chinese languages, four sounds much like the word for death. Eight sounds like the word for wealth. The Chinese zodiac gives each year one of twelve animals, and the Dragon year is held to be lucky. A birth chart (ba zi, "eight characters") records the year, month, day and hour of birth. A fortune-teller reads a person's fortune from it, for example before a marriage. Nearly half of adults in mainland China (47%) say they believe in feng shui. Six in ten (62%) care whether a special occasion falls on an auspicious day.
Reports that nearly half of adults in mainland China (47%) believe in fengshui, a traditional Chinese practice of arranging objects and physical space to bring people into harmony with their surroundings (China Family Panel Studies, 2018). In the 2018 Chinese General Social Survey, 62% said they care somewhat or very much whether special occasions, such as weddings, funerals or moving home, fall on an auspicious day; choosing one usually means consulting the Chinese almanac or a fengshui expert. In the same survey, 8% said they carry a lucky charm or amulet for good fortune.
Three economists at the University of British Columbia explain that four is counted unlucky in Chinese tradition because the word for four sounds very like the word for death in Mandarin, Cantonese and several other Chinese languages. Eight sounds like the word for prosperity or wealth. Studying close to 117,000 house sales in Greater Vancouver (2000-2005), they found that in neighbourhoods with an above-average share of Chinese residents, houses whose number ended in 4 sold at a 2.2 per cent discount, and those ending in 8 at a 2.5 per cent premium.
The authors note that in Chinese culture those born in the year of the Dragon are believed to be destined for good fortune, and that births rise in Dragon years. Children born in a Dragon year did better at school and were more likely to reach college. But the Dragon effect on test scores disappeared once the parents' expectations were taken into account: their parents expected more of them and invested more time and money in them. The authors conclude that neither the Dragon children nor their families are inherently different; the belief and the investment that follows it make the prophecy come true.
Describing betrothal customs in Fuzhou, Doolittle records that each family sends a card with the eight characters that give the hour, day, month and year of birth, and that a fortune-teller is asked to judge from the eight characters whether the match would be fitting and auspicious.
The common ground: hoping for a good start
Everyone wants a safe home, a happy marriage and a good start to new work. Islam shares that wish. The Prophet (ﷺ) denied the bird omens of his people, but he said he liked a good word. A hopeful word lifts the heart and claims no power over the future. So Islam does not ask anyone to stop hoping. It asks where the hope is placed.
Anas reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said there is no 'adwa and no tiyara, but that he liked fal. Asked what fal was, he said: a good word.
Only God (﷾) knows the unseen
The Qur'an says: "None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden". It says that with God (﷾) "are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He." It also says: "Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow". A feng shui reading, a lucky date or a birth chart claims to know part of that hidden future. Islam says that knowledge belongs to God (﷾) alone. This is not about forecasts made from causes, such as rain read from the clouds. Those read what God (﷾) has set in the world, and they can be wrong. A number, a date or an animal year holds no such cause.
“Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).”
“With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read).”
“Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).”
Good and harm come from God (﷾) alone
The Qur'an says: "If Allah do touch thee with hurt, there is none can remove it but He". It goes on: "if He do design some benefit for thee, there is none can keep back His favour". So no number can hold back what God (﷾) sends. No direction can bring what He withholds. Good fortune is not a force hidden in things or in times. It is God's (﷾) gift, and He is the One to ask for it.
“If Allah do touch thee with hurt, there is none can remove it but He: if He do design some benefit for thee, there is none can keep back His favour: He causeth it to reach whomsoever of His servants He pleaseth. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
The omens the Prophet (ﷺ) swept away
In Arabia before Islam, people read their luck in the flight of birds. They took the owl as a sign of death and held the month of Safar unlucky. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: there is no 'adwa, no bird omen, no hama (the owl omen) and no Safar. Many scholars explain 'adwa as the belief that disease spreads by its own power, apart from God (﷾). The saying names the omens of his own people, not numbers or animal years. But its reason covers every sign of luck: nothing acts on its own, apart from God (﷾). He also said that an omen is only a feeling in the heart. It must not turn a person from what he meant to do. And he condemned crediting the stars with the rain that God (﷾) sends.
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said there is no 'adwa, no tiyara (bad omens from birds), no hama and no Safar. Many scholars explain 'adwa as disease spreading by its own power apart from God, hama as the owl taken as a sign of death, and Safar as the month held unlucky.
Mu'awiya ibn al-Hakam, newly Muslim, told the Prophet (ﷺ) that some of his people went to soothsayers. The Prophet said not to go to them. Of those who took omens, he said it was a feeling they found in themselves, and it must not turn them from what they meant to do.
Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) led the dawn prayer at al-Hudaybiyah after a night of rain, then told the people that their Lord had said: this morning some of My servants became believers in Me and some disbelievers. Whoever says we had rain by the grace and mercy of God believes in Me and disbelieves in the stars; whoever says we had rain because of such-and-such a star disbelieves in Me and believes in the stars.
Tests anyone can make
Children born in a Dragon year do better at school, one study found. But the gain in test scores disappeared once the parents' expectations were counted. Their parents expected more of them and gave them more time and money. So the study points to the parents' care, not the year. Every child deserves that care, whatever the year of birth. The Chinese animal year and the Western star signs also clash. Everyone born in one Chinese year shares an animal. The Western signs split that same year into twelve. A full Chinese birth chart and a Western chart both use the day and hour, yet they read the same person differently. At most one can be right, and neither can show it is the one. Numbers can be tested too. Four is avoided because in Chinese it sounds like the word for death. In English or Arabic it sounds like nothing of the kind. A luck that changes with the language spoken lies in the word, not in the number. These tests ask whether a sign holds a power of its own, or can read the future. Islam claims neither for any object, number or day. Its prayers ask God (﷾), who alone decides the outcome. They forecast nothing, and the answer is His.
The authors note that in Chinese culture those born in the year of the Dragon are believed to be destined for good fortune, and that births rise in Dragon years. Children born in a Dragon year did better at school and were more likely to reach college. But the Dragon effect on test scores disappeared once the parents' expectations were taken into account: their parents expected more of them and invested more time and money in them. The authors conclude that neither the Dragon children nor their families are inherently different; the belief and the investment that follows it make the prophecy come true.
Describing betrothal customs in Fuzhou, Doolittle records that each family sends a card with the eight characters that give the hour, day, month and year of birth, and that a fortune-teller is asked to judge from the eight characters whether the match would be fitting and auspicious.
Three economists at the University of British Columbia explain that four is counted unlucky in Chinese tradition because the word for four sounds very like the word for death in Mandarin, Cantonese and several other Chinese languages. Eight sounds like the word for prosperity or wealth. Studying close to 117,000 house sales in Greater Vancouver (2000-2005), they found that in neighbourhoods with an above-average share of Chinese residents, houses whose number ended in 4 sold at a 2.2 per cent discount, and those ending in 8 at a 2.5 per cent premium.
Jabir reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught his companions the prayer for guidance (istikhara) in every matter, as he taught them chapters of the Qur'an. Whoever means to do something prays two units of prayer beyond the obligatory ones. Then he asks God by His knowledge and His power, for God is able and he is not, God knows and he does not, and God knows the unseen. If God knows the matter is good for him in his religion, his livelihood and its outcome, he asks God to decree it for him. If God knows it is bad for him, he asks God to turn it away from him and to decree the good for him wherever it is.
Good design is welcome
Much in feng shui is plain good sense: light, fresh air, order and a calm home. Islam has no quarrel with that. Taking care is part of Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) denied that disease spreads by its own power. Yet in the same saying he told people to keep away from a leper. Care is taken, and the outcome belongs to God (﷾). What Islam rejects is the claim that a layout, a direction or a number draws in luck or keeps out harm.
Abu Hurayra reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) denied 'adwa, bird omens, hama and Safar (which many scholars explain as the owl omen and the unlucky month of Safar), and in the same saying told people to run from a leper as they would run from a lion.
“If Allah do touch thee with hurt, there is none can remove it but He: if He do design some benefit for thee, there is none can keep back His favour: He causeth it to reach whomsoever of His servants He pleaseth. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
In place of the lucky day: ask the One who knows
Islam gives another way to face a choice, such as a wedding, a move or a new business. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught his companions a prayer for guidance (istikhara) for every matter. A person prays two units of prayer and asks God (﷾), who knows the unseen, to choose for him. If the matter is good for him, he asks God (﷾) to make it happen. If it is bad, he asks God (﷾) to turn it away and to give him the good wherever it is. The prayer asks; it does not forecast. The Qur'an also tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to "consult them in affairs (of moment)". So a Muslim asks God (﷾) and takes good advice. Then he acts, and trusts God (﷾): "if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him."
Jabir reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught his companions the prayer for guidance (istikhara) in every matter, as he taught them chapters of the Qur'an. Whoever means to do something prays two units of prayer beyond the obligatory ones. Then he asks God by His knowledge and His power, for God is able and he is not, God knows and he does not, and God knows the unseen. If God knows the matter is good for him in his religion, his livelihood and its outcome, he asks God to decree it for him. If God knows it is bad for him, he asks God to turn it away from him and to decree the good for him wherever it is.
“It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when thou hast Taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”
Islam's answer
The hope behind these customs is for a good life and a safe family. Islam turns that hope from signs in things to the God (﷾) who made them. Islam (deen) is a complete way of life: belief, worship, family and character together. The page "What is Islam?" shows it in one place. The Qur'an says the Prophet (ﷺ) was sent to all people, and calls him the Seal of the Prophets, the last of them. It challenges anyone in doubt to produce a chapter like it. Read it, and ask whether it comes from the One who knows the unseen.
“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
“Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.”
Point by point
Sahih al-Bukhari 5740 — Kitab al-Tibb (Medicine), hadith 5740
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the effect of the evil eye is real, and he forbade tattooing.
Cited for
Muslims believe in the evil eye and protect themselves from it, so Islam has its charms too.
The response
The Prophet (ﷺ) said the evil eye is real (Bukhari 5740). Islam knows of it only because God (﷾) taught His Prophet (ﷺ), not by reading signs in things. Like any harm, it comes only by God's (﷾) leave, and only He can remove it (10:107). The protection he taught is prayer to God (﷾). He told people to seek words of healing against it (Bukhari 5738). He allowed such words only if they held no worship of anything beside God (Muslim 2200). Each night he recited the Qur'an's last three chapters, blew into his hands and wiped them over his body (Bukhari 5017). Two of those chapters seek refuge in God (﷾). He also had the string necklaces cut from the camels' necks (Bukhari 3005). Malik, an early scholar of Medina who passed on the report, thought they were hung against the evil eye (Muslim 2115). So a bead or charm hung against the eye is not what he taught.
Where it lands — In Islam, protection is asked of God (﷾) in prayer. It is never a power placed in an object, a number or a direction.
Qur'an 97:3 — Surat al-Qadr (The Power), verse 3
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”
Cited for
Islam has its own lucky days and numbers: Friday, the Night of Power, and odd numbers.
The response
Friday and the Night of Power are set apart by God (﷾) in His revelation (62:9; 97:3). They are times for more worship. The Prophet (ﷺ) said God (﷾) is One (witr) and loves what is odd (Bukhari 6410). Some acts of worship are done an odd number of times, as he taught. None of these forecasts anything. Islam tells no one to avoid a house or a date for its number. Even the new moons are "signs to mark fixed periods of time" (2:189): a calendar, not a forecast.
Where it lands — Blessed times and counts in Islam are set by God (﷾) for worship. None of them is a sign of luck.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5094 — Kitab al-Nikah (Wedlock, Marriage), hadith 5094
Ibn Umar reports that bad omens were mentioned in front of the Prophet (ﷺ), and he said: if there were bad luck in anything, it would be in a house, a woman and a horse.
Cited for
Your own Prophet (ﷺ) said bad luck is in a house, a woman and a horse.
The response
Al-Bukhari records it both ways. In some reports it is a condition: if bad luck were in anything, it would be in these three. Other reports give it without the "if". The same report begins by denying the bird omen (Bukhari 5753). Many scholars explain the saying as the hardship of an unsuitable house, wife or horse, not as an omen. A person unhappy with one may leave it. Malik and others read it literally: God (﷾) may make a house a cause of harm by His decree, not by any power of its own. No one is given a way to read this in advance, or to change it by arranging rooms or choosing a number. The page "What does Islam say about superstition, omens and fortune-tellers?" sets it out.
Where it lands — The report is not a return to omens. Harm and good still come from God (﷾) alone.
Qur'an 72:26-27 — Surat al-Jinn (The Jinn), verses 26-27
“"He (alone) knows the Unseen, nor does He make any one acquainted with His Mysteries,- "Except a messenger whom He has chosen: and then He makes a band of watchers march before him and behind him,”
Cited for
Your Prophet (ﷺ) foretold the future, and Joseph read dreams. So Muslims read the unseen too.
The response
The Qur'an says God (﷾) makes no one acquainted with His mysteries "Except a messenger whom He has chosen" (72:26-27). What a prophet foretold, God (﷾) told him. Joseph says of his dream readings: "that is part of the (duty) which my Lord hath taught me" (12:37). Prophethood has ended with Muhammad (ﷺ) (33:40). He said all that is left of it is the good dream that brings glad news (Bukhari 6990). Such a dream may cheer a believer. But it is not certain, it is no chart, and it brings no new law.
Where it lands — Certain knowledge of the unseen comes only from God (﷾), and only to a messenger He chooses.
Qur'an 31:34 — Surat Luqman (Luqman), verse 34
“Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).”
Cited for
Islam believes in fate (qadar) too, so why not read it?
The response
Islam teaches that every misfortune is written in a decree before it happens (57:22). It also teaches that the decree is known to God (﷾) alone (31:34). So no chart can read it. A Muslim acts, takes care and trusts God (﷾) for the outcome. The page "Does Islam say our choices don't matter? Do Muslims have free will?" explains more.
Where it lands — Belief in God's (﷾) decree is the reason no chart can read it.
Perspectives
Chinese tradition: feng shui, lucky numbers and the zodiac
Many families arrange their homes by feng shui, choose lucky days from the almanac, prefer some numbers and avoid others, and know their animal year. Some see these as wisdom about fortune; others as custom.
Feng shui is good design: it arranges a home for light, air and harmony with its surroundings.
Rebuttal
Islam welcomes light, air and order, and they help whatever the reading says. The question is the further claim that a layout draws luck. Good and harm come from God (﷾) alone (10:107).
Lucky numbers and auspicious days bring good fortune to a wedding, a home or a business.
Rebuttal
No one knows what he will earn tomorrow (31:34). A number's luck rests on how it sounds in one language, so it lies in the word. Islam asks God (﷾) for the good instead (Bukhari 6382).
The zodiac and the birth chart show a person's character and fortune.
Rebuttal
In one study, Dragon-year children's higher test scores were explained by their parents' higher hopes and care. The care helped, not the year, and every child deserves it. The keys of the unseen are with God (﷾) alone (6:59).
It is harmless, and part of who we are.
Rebuttal
Knowing your animal year is a matter of the calendar. Your language, your family and New Year reunions stay yours. The harm is in dread: a number or a day can keep a family from a good choice. The Prophet (ﷺ) said an omen must not turn a person from what he meant to do (Muslim 537). Islam asks for trust in God (﷾) alone (65:3).
The Islamic perspective
Only God (﷾) knows the unseen, and good and harm come from Him alone. A Muslim takes care, asks God's (﷾) guidance before a choice, and trusts Him for the outcome.
Only God (﷾) knows the unseen; no one knows what he will earn tomorrow.
If God (﷾) touches a person with hurt, none can remove it but He. If He intends good, none can hold it back.
The Prophet (ﷺ) denied the omens of his people. He said an omen is only a feeling, and must not turn a person from his plan.
Care is taken, and the outcome belongs to God (﷾).
Before any choice, a Muslim asks God's (﷾) guidance (istikhara) and then trusts Him.
For a Muslim, going to a fortune-teller is forbidden. Whoever asks one about anything has his prayer refused for forty nights.