Is astral projection haram?
Yes, practising astral projection is generally considered haram by scholars. Trying to send your soul out of your body is a spiritual practice with no basis in Islam, it claims knowledge of the unseen that Allah has kept to Himself, and many scholars warn that it can open the door to jinn. An experience that simply happens to you is different.
What astral projection is
Astral projection is the belief that your consciousness or "astral body" can leave your physical body and travel, usually through meditation, trance or special techniques. It comes from occult and New Age traditions, not from the Quran or sunnah.
The soul is a matter for Allah
The Quran says the nature of the soul (ruh) is not for us to explore:
Islam does teach that Allah takes back the soul at death and also, in a way, during sleep (Quran 39:42). But it is Allah who holds and releases the soul. A person has no ability to command it, and trying to do so claims a power that is not ours.
Why scholars warn against it
- It has no source in Islam. It is an occult technique, and Muslims should avoid practices based on the unseen that the revelation does not teach.
- It opens a door to jinn. The Quran describes people in the past who sought refuge with jinn and only increased them in wickedness (Quran 72:6). Practices that put the mind into an altered, passive state are often described by those who do them as inviting "guides" or "entities", which Muslims understand may be jinn.
- It can harm you. Many people report fear, sleep paralysis and anxiety after trying it.
What if it just happened to me?
Some people have sudden experiences of floating or being outside their body, especially around sleep, illness or stress. Without seeking it, there is no sin. Seek refuge in Allah, recite Ayat al-Kursi, and if the experiences are frequent or frightening, speak with a doctor as well as a trusted imam. See What does Islam say about near-death experiences?
If you practised this before becoming Muslim, there is no blame for what you did out of ignorance. Stop, repent and move on. See Is a Ouija board haram? and Can humans see jinn?
- Trying to project your soul is a practice with no basis in Islam.
- The soul's nature is known only to Allah.
- Scholars warn that such practices can invite jinn.
- Unwanted experiences are not sinful; seek refuge in Allah and, if needed, medical help.
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