There are some who are heedless with respect to reflection, reasoning and tawakkul, and instead, turn to soothsayers and astrologers, who have cleverly started their business in order to swindle the people of their money.8 As an example, we shall present an incident that transpired during the time of Imam ‘Ali (a.s).
The Commander of the Faithfuls(a.s) and his army had started out for the battle of Nahrawan against the Kharjites, and having reached the city of Madain, they pitched their tents. The next morning, as they were about to commence their journey, an astrologer approached them and said: “My astrological calculations reveal that it is not in your interest to advance in this hour. Commence your journey after three hours and you shall be victorious.”
Hearing this, the Imam (a.s) said: “Whoever upholds your words has rejected the Qur`an of Allah.”9
He (a.s) then asked: “Do you possess knowledge as to which family has taken over the reins of leadership in China?”
The astrologer replied: “I have no knowledge.”
The Imam (a.s) questioned: “What is that star, which when rises, stirs up lust within the camels?”
The astrologer confessed: “I have no idea.”
The Imam (a.s) asked: “The rise of which star stirs up passion within the cats?”
He said: “I do not know!”
He (a.s) asked: “Inform me of the thing that is concealed beneath the hoofs of my horse.”
When the astrologer had once again pleaded ignorance, the Imam (a.s) said to him: “Within the earth, below the feet of my horse, lies a jar filled with gold coins and beneath which a serpent lies asleep.”
When the place was dug up, the people witnessed that the scenario was exactly as it had been described by the Imam (a.s).
Observing this, the astrologer was totally bewildered; the Imam (a.s) took possession of his books, ordered them to be destroyed and then said to him: “The next time you try to attract the people towards yourself by means of astrology, I shall put you behind bars.”( Jame’ al-Nurain, pg. 15; Bihar al-Anwar )