Is tarot reading haram?

Yes, tarot reading is haram, whether you visit a reader, read the cards yourself or use a tarot app. It claims to reveal the future and hidden things, which only Allah knows. Islam offers better tools for guidance: dua, istikhara and good advice.

Why is tarot haram?

Tarot is a form of divination: drawing cards to learn about the future, a relationship or a decision. The Quran is clear that hidden knowledge belongs to Allah alone:

قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْغَيْبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ "Say, 'None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah.'" Quran 27:65

The Arabs before Islam used divining arrows (azlam) to decide whether to travel or marry. The Quran called them "defilement from the work of Satan" and told believers to avoid them (Quran 5:90). Tarot cards work in exactly the same way, just with pictures instead of arrows.

What did the Prophet ﷺ say?

The Prophet ﷺ said whoever goes to a fortune teller and asks him about something, his prayer is not accepted for forty nights (Sahih Muslim 2230). If someone goes further and believes what the fortune teller says, he said that person has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (Sunan Abi Dawud 3904). Scholars apply this to tarot readers, psychics, palm readers and astrologers alike.

What if I only do it for fun?

Many people treat tarot as self-reflection or entertainment. But the whole practice rests on the idea that the cards reveal something hidden, and once you've seen a "bad" card, it's hard not to let it shape your mood or choices. Most scholars therefore say to avoid it completely, including apps, "daily card" posts and decorative decks used for readings. The same goes for horoscopes. See Can I still read my horoscope after becoming Muslim?

If you read tarot before becoming Muslim, that's forgiven. Give away or throw out your decks, and don't let guilt hold you back.

What to do instead

Pray istikhara when you face a decision. It's a short two-rak'ah prayer asking Allah to choose what's best for you. See What is istikhara and should I pray it before marriage?
Make dua in your own words, any time.
Ask trusted, knowledgeable people for advice (shura).
Drop superstitions about luck and signs. See Can I still say "good luck" as a Muslim?

Key points

Only Allah knows the unseen (Quran 27:65); tarot claims to reveal it.
Consulting a fortune teller cancels the reward of prayer for forty nights (Sahih Muslim 2230).
"Just for fun" readings and tarot apps should be avoided too.
Use istikhara, dua and good advice for guidance instead.

Tip: If you miss the ritual of a "morning card", replace it with a random page or verse of the Quran with its translation. You'll still get something to reflect on each day, from a source you can trust.

Is tarot reading haram?

Why is tarot haram?

What did the Prophet ﷺ say?

What if I only do it for fun?

What to do instead

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