Question # 578: I have come to understand that many Muslims in India have now started believing in Vastu Shastra. Can you please explain its perspective from Islam? Secondly, is it different from Feng Shui?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra are ancient practices from China and India, respectively, believed to harmonize living spaces with natural energies. From an Islamic perspective, both practices are viewed as superstitions that undermine reliance on Allah’s will. Engaging in them is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah) and contradicts the principle of tawakkul (trust in Allah). Instead of relying on these practices, Muslims must seek guidance through prayer and Qur’anic recitation for protection and blessings.

Long Answer: Before we delve into the Islamic perspective on practices such as Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra. Let’s understand the two regarding their origin, beliefs, and principles. Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui are both ancient practices aimed at harmonizing living spaces with natural energies. Both systems are concerned with the flow of energy—referred to as “Chi” in Feng Shui and “Prana” in Vastu and each seeks to create spaces that promote well-being and harmony with nature and cosmic forces.

Key Differences

Origin: Vastu Shastra is believed to have originated in India around 1200 years ago, while Feng Shui has its roots in China, dating back approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.

Philosophical Basis: Vastu is derived from the Vedas (Hindu scriptures) and emphasizes architectural design aligned with spiritual growth. Feng Shui focuses on the arrangement of space to promote harmony between the environment and personal energy.

Elements: Vastu considers five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—while Feng Shui includes wood, fire, earth, metal, and water as its primary elements.

Auspicious Directions: In Vastu, the north is deemed the most auspicious direction due to its association with magnetic energy. Conversely, Feng Shui regards the south as more favorable because of sunlight dynamics.

Color Usage: Vastu recommends bright colors like red for creating a positive environment; Feng Shui suggests softer tones such as white and beige for tranquility.

Objects and Symbols: Vastu emphasizes items like the tulsi plant and Ganesha (Hindu god) idols for positive energy. Feng Shui uses objects such as wind chimes and laughing Buddha figures.

Application: For example, it is believed in Vastu that the bed must not face the entrance directly and electronics should be avoided in the bedroom, while in Feng Shui, the bed should be placed in front of the door, and bookshelves must be avoided in the bedroom. Another example, it is believed in Vastu that the stove in the kitchen must be placed in the southeast part and the sinks and taps should be in the northeast direction, while in Feng Sui, the kitchen must not face the bedroom, front door, or toilet, and cooking ranges and ovens should face the south, southwest, or northeast.

Islam’s perspective on practices like Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra are viewed as superstition, undermining reliance on divine will and defying the principle of Tawakkul (trust in Allah):

  • Superstition: Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra attribute power to spatial arrangements and objects to influence fortune. Moreover, Vastu Shastra is considered haraam due to its roots in Hindu tradition. These practices contradict the Islamic principle that only Allah has control over all aspects of life, thereby contradicting the principles of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah).

The design or layout of a location, the arrangement of its furnishings and fixtures, the way a person sits or sleeps, and similar factors have no impact on one’s prosperity or health. Prosperity and misfortune, good and bad, health and riches, life and death, along with every circumstance one faces in life, are merely tests set forth for humanity by their Lord and Creator, who Alone possesses Complete and Unquestionable Power and Authority over everything. If the Lord chooses to bestow Mercy upon someone, no combination of elements in existence can prevent His Mercy; and if the Lord intends to test someone among His creation with hardship, no combination of elements in existence can alleviate that hardship except Him Alone. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

    • “And ‘Do not invoke, instead of Allah, what can neither benefit nor harm you—for if you do, then you will certainly be one of the wrongdoers,’ and ‘If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him. And if He intends good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whoever He wills of His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” (Soorah Yunus, 10:106-7).
    • “Say, “None in the heavens and the earth has knowledge of the unseen except Allah…” (Soorah An-Naml, 27:65)
    • “If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He denies you help, then who else can help you? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.” (Soorah Ali ‘Imran, 3:160)
  • Shirk: Engaging in these practices implies that something other than Allah can alter fate, which is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is strictly prohibited in Islam.
  • Trust in Allah: Islam emphasizes placing full trust in Allah for all matters. Such practices can divert reliance from Allah to superstitious beliefs.
  • Misguidance: These practices that claim to predict the future or bring about prosperity in one’s health or wealth are absolutely against the Guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah. Narrated `Aisha: Some people asked Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) about the fore-tellers. Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said to them, “They are nothing (i.e., liars).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Instead of relying on superstitions, Muslims must seek protection and blessings through lawful means and put one’s trust in Allah:

  • Performing Regular Prayers (Salah): Establishing consistent prayers is crucial to attaining Allah’s guidance and protection.
  • Reciting Quranic Verses: Reciting verses such as Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) and the final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah is advised for safety:
    • Abu Umama (رضي الله عنه) said he heard Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) say: “…Recite Surah al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” (Sahih Muslim)
    • Narrated Muhammad bin Sirin: Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) said [about a thief he caught, who]… said, ‘Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of “Al-Kursi” (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn.’ ” On that, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Satan.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
    • Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “…Indeed, the devils flee from a household that has Soorah al-Baqarah recited in it.” (Sahih Muslim)
    • Narrated Abu Mas`ud al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “If one recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, it is sufficient for him (for that night).” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
  • Making Supplications (Dua’as): It is recommended to make specific dua’as for the sake of protection and blessings. For example, the supplication: “U’idhuka bi kalimat-Allah il-tammah min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah (I seek refuge for you in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and poisonous reptile, and from every envious evil eye).” (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
  • Putting one’s trust in Allah: Depending on Allah and believing that He is the One Who causes measures to be effective, His decree comes to pass; He has decreed all things, counted them out, and ordained them.

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam