Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yousuf Umar Jallo, has urged Ghanaians to disregard false prophecies, warning that such claims are deceptive, un-Islamic and dangerous to society.

In a statement, Sheikh Jallo described those making these predictions as soothsayers, astrologers or individuals speaking without knowledge. He emphasised that the exact time of death or any future occurrence is part of the unseen, which is known only to Almighty Allah.

Citing Surah Luqman, verse 34, he reminded the public: “Indeed, Allah has knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

Quoting the teachings of renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Uthaymeen, Sheikh Jallo stressed that anyone who claims to know the time of a person’s death is a liar, and believing them is wrong. He referenced Surah An-Naml, verse 65: “Say, ‘No one in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allah’.”

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According to him, Islamic scholars agree that any claim to knowledge of the unseen, which Allah has kept exclusively to Himself, is forbidden. He warned against visiting, consulting or believing soothsayers, fortune tellers or astrologers, recalling the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) hadith: “Whoever goes to a soothsayer or fortune-teller and asks him questions and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.”

Sheikh Jallo challenged those making prophecies to reveal the exact time, date, place and circumstances of their own death if they are truthful. He also questioned why, if they truly foresaw the recent military helicopter crash, they did not warn Ghanaians to help save lives — calling such negligence an act against the nation.

He concluded by praying for divine protection over Ghana, saying: “May Almighty Allah protect Ghana from every calamity, disaster and the envy of the envious. Ameen.”

GA/BAI

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