A:
This man and the likes of him, who claim that they can diagnose a patient’s illness by just asking them their names and their mothers’ names, or who claim that they use the Words of Allah,
are soothsayers and charlatans. It is obligatory for them to be advised, warned against what they do, and ordered to make sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah). If they repent, that will be good. Otherwise, their case should be referred to the relevant authorities to prevent their evil and protect people. It is Haram (prohibited) to consult this man and those like him, based on the Hadith narrated by
Abu Hurayrah (may be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Anyone who goes to a soothsayer or a diviner and believes in what they say has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.”
(Related by Ahl-ul-Sunan [Imams Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah] and Al-Hakim who ranked it as Hadith Sahih [a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish.]) Therefore, anyone who goes to soothsayers and fortune-tellers and believes the news they claim to reveal from the Ghayb (Unseen) has committed Kufr (disbelief) that takes them out of Islam - may Allah save us from that! Allah (Exalted be He) says: (Part No. 1; Page No. 232)
Say: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allâh, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected."
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.