Astrology has become quite a fascinating subject once again of late. Its origin is still unknown as it has evolved through so many centuries, so we are still pretty much in the dark about when precisely it started. Astrology is, basically, the use of celestial phenomena to read earthly and human affairs, in terms of an assumed theoretical system. In old times, astrology consisted of simple omens that astrologers read from the sky. Today, astrology is seen in a far more developed form and best to be taken as the reading of supposed effects of the sun, moon and other relevant planets on affairs of the earth and human beings at a specific time and place. It must always be kept in mind that the practice of astrology is an art and only a good artist can portray good pictures. Although, in past, the meanings of the terms “Astronomy” and “Astrology” overlapped. Astronomy is concerned only with determining the positions, physical characteristics, movements and relationships of celestial/outer space bodies. It can also be defined as the branch of Science that includes the study of the universe beyond the earth and with many other things. Early Astronomers believed that the earth was motionless and all the planets revolved around the earth. Today, after a more research work on the subject, Astronomers believe that the earth is one of the planets and revolves around the sun. This belief has been widely accepted and being taught by the subject teachers & professors in class rooms. The Astronomer seeks to understand the nature of the objects observed in the universe and to explain the events taking place there. Whereas the whole basis of Astrology rests upon the thinking that earthly and human affairs can be understood by the activity of our solar system covering main planets of Astrology or more specifically the concerned planets of Astrology in our universe. The Astrology can also be considered as a way of reading earthly and human affairs from astronomical observations. In general, Astronomers work revolve around scientific knowledge about the various objects in space and Astrologers observe & read these heavenly bodies to understand people’s temperaments and things to occur on the earth or in life. In other words, Astrologer is a person who practices astrology and tries to trace the influences of planetary bodies upon the affairs of earth and human beings, presenting it in the form of readings or assessments and thus, Astrology could be taken as Science and practicing astrology is an art and this fact makes the Astrology as a combination of science & art. Astronomy and Astrology both have further branches for specialization. Here, we are concerned only with the main branches of Astrology. In Natural Astrology, a generalized celestial influence is read on weather, crops and other phenomena related to entire earth. In Judicial Astrology, the celestial influences are read on geographical matters & individual affairs. In Astrology, astrological signs play an important role and these 12 signs, begin with Aries & ends at Pisces. For simplicity, they are called Zodiac signs and all birth days are covered under these 12 signs or sectors. The Astrologer draws, the Astrology based Charts or Horoscopes. The Astrology based chart can be made on many occasions and an easy meaning of the Chart or Horoscope is the diagram of the heavenly bodies showing the relative positions of the sun, moon & other relevant planets at a given time & place. Perhaps the most familiar is the casting of an astrology chart based on the birth of a person, called “Nativity”. It shows the positions of Sun, Moon and relevant planets in the sky at the time of one’s birth with the birth place. The chart supposedly indicates various aspects of a person’s life relating to personal traits, interests, work field, progress, marriage, health & many other things. Among youths, “Composite Horoscope” is very popular. It’s a Horoscope of the relationship between two persons with aim to find future prospects of the union/bond. Today, Astrology is much more considered by people throughout the world. Newspapers and magazines all over the World publish daily astrological forecasts as per Zodiac Signs. The books and periodicals have been devoted exclusively to Astrology based articles due to a very large readership. People from all walks of life are seen consulting Astrologers, practicing as a professional or an amateur consultant. There is one thing that must be clear in mind that human & other global affairs could never be understood completely on the basis of Astrology, palmistry, numerology or any other knowledge that is not the subject of spirituality. The affairs are governed by so many factors and each factor has it’s own significance & importance. The Astrologer cannot claim that his or her predictions/readings are free of judgment error and to go 100% correct. It’s very much clear from our general observation that our modern medical science is also based on research work and a medical theory accepted in past or medicine used in past may turn to an opposite view or a new view after the latest research based findings. Once fats were discouraged in reference to Cholesterol levels and today, some fats are encouraged for the same purpose. The thing that remains uniform in Science is the knowledge which is based on mathematical calculations like 2 x 2 remains equal to 4 wherever you are or knowledge which shows equal results after a chemical process. Like a medical science, Astrology remains dependent on the research work and updated, accordingly. The knowledge of Science if not based on mathematics then it’s credibility remains shaky. Being an amateur palmist & numerologist over two decades, I personally give exceptional worth to the saying/analysis/reading/prediction of the person, who has spiritual or mystic powers. In Muslim history, I find the very prominent name of a Muslim “Astrologer” as Abu Ma’shar Al Balkhi (787- 886). He had much reputation at that time, among others astrologers. The other name is of Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al Biruni, who was born in 973 and died in Afghanistan around 1050. Al Biruni was a great Muslim scientist & astrologer. In European history, I consider the name of French men, Michel De Notredame known as Nostradamus (1503-1660) as an authority on astrology. He was also the reputed physician besides astrologer. His special readings based on the knowledge of astrology were published in form of prophecies in 1555. These prophecies or predictions were in book shape and called “The Centuries”. It’s 2nd Edition was published in 1558. He foretold with exceptional precision, a number of historic events including the french revolution and the rise and fall of Napoleon and Hitler. A documentary-cum-movie named “A Man Who Saw Tomorrow” was made in 1981 on the prophecies of Nostradamus. In our era, Jeane Dixon (1904-1997) is the name of a lady, who remained a famous astrologer for a number of decades and her predictions were well covered by electronic & print media & she received a record public respect. In Pakistan, three persons gained high fame in the fields of astrology, palmistry & numerology and first name is Mir Bashir, 2nd is Prof. M. A. Malik, a retired Professor of the University of Punjab, Lahore and 3rd is G. H. Raja. All the three are not among us, today. After acquiring knowledge in Astrology, Palmistry & Numerology from G. H. Raja sb, I preferred palmistry & numerology work and have some reputation as an amateur palmist & numerologist. It’s not a less than an honor for me to see the state heads, premiers, armed forces chiefs, top bureaucrats, leading politicians, industrialists and ambassadors contacting me to have my personal readings or opinions on so many issues. It was a very memorable moment for me when I told to the close relative of our Ex-President, Mr. Farooq Leghari that the president will wind up/dismiss the government of Prime Minister at that time then the relative said that all is possible but this is not possible. However, within a two week or so, Mr. Leghari dismissed the government as predicted to surprise the relative and people at large. I always serve the people with the aim to give personal reading or opinion on a few things, conflicting issues, queries and quest for future in the mind of person in contact. In Pakistan, there are people especially with religious identity, who do not like Astrology as a whole and do consider it against Islamic teachings. There are Surahs in our Quran that have the names “Al-Shams – The Sun”, “Al-Qamar – The Moon” and “An-Najm – The Star” and we have ayats mubaraka in our Quran relating to read & think humbly for our better understanding. In Islamic teachings, we have been told by our Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him that do read two namaz (Kasoof & Khasoof) whenever there is Sun or Moon eclipses. Our Eid festivals are subject to Moon sighting. I personally think that we all use it in our daily life affairs. Our days are subject to names used in Astrology as Sunday is actually Sun Day and Monday is actually Moon Day and similarly other days of the week. Being a Muslim, we use this days system and do not mind it. Our year system is also based on either Sun or Moon system. We also know that Lunatic is the person, who has been adversely affected by the moon as word “Luna” is stands for Moon. There is also adverse affects of Sun to many people in summer through Heat Strokes or at some hilly areas through skin burns. However as per my thinking, an interest in Astrology or any other subject that take you away from Allah swa by trusting stars or much knowledge based learning in Science subjects or other subjects then the Astrology or the learning will become against the teaching of Islam/Quran & Sunna. In Islam, there are so many things which are permissible in one area or limit & become prohibited in expanded area or limit as per Islamic teachings. Here we can consider eating grapes, which are non-prohibited in one area but becomes prohibited when in other area and used as liquor/wine. Similarly, music & dancing when crosses one limit then it becomes prohibited due to adverse affects on mind & body exposure to others. Generally, a person visits an Astrologer, who makes predictions/assessments concerning the person’s life. These readings may or may not be true but accurate readings are sometimes propagated so much that people think astrology is a science or rather some sort of spiritual knowledge. Actually, spiritualism is much superior to all scientific subjects. Simply put, a life can be lived a little better if you are able to consider properly your abilities, resources, circumstances and opportunities before making important decisions. The art of practicing astrology is very old but readings or opinions based on astrology, palmistry and numerology should never be considered as fate or thing that will surely happen. The ultimate trust must remain in Allah, the supreme. Allah has absolute authority over all, hidden or exposed including, our selves, irrespective of our religions or beliefs. The writer is an Islamabad based advocate