not do this, for an astrologer told me before your birth that you will die by drowning at sea.’

(Remember! The father, out of love for his son, could have mentioned the astrologer in order to stop him from trading at sea. It is also possible that the astrologer had seen ships and those aboard them sinking with his own eyes, which is why the father mentioned the words of the astrologer and tried to prevent his son from taking part in trading at sea. Otherwise, a sensible Muslim would never trust the words of an astrologer, for in Shari’ah, the statements of an astrologer are rejected and unreliable, and one cannot rely upon them. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the noble companions and Tabi’een رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم, and the pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـه did not act upon this nor did they consider it). (Ashi’a-tul-Lam’aat, vol. 2, p. 82)

The son replied, ‘Did he also mention that I will receive wealth?’ The father replied, ‘Of course! This is the reason why I prevented you from trading and found such an occupation for you that you can do every day.’ The son said, ‘According to the words of the astrologer, it is only possible for me to receive wealth in the case of trading at sea.’ The father said, ‘My son! Do not do this! I fear that you will be destroyed!’ The son replied, ‘I will definitely acquire wealth, and if I remain alive then I will become very wealthy, however, if I die, I will leave behind something better for my children.’ The father said, ‘O my son! Do not put your life at risk for your children!’ To which the son said, ‘By Allah Almighty! I will not change my opinion.’

Thus, the son prepared a ship, loaded it with various business goods and then set off for a year long journey. When he returned after a year, he had wealth equal to 100 Qintaar of gold. Seeing his son, the father thanked Allah Almighty and praised the wealth that he had brought back, and said, ‘O my son! I had taken a vow in the court of Allah Almighty that if He brings you back safely, I will set fire to your ship.’ The son said, ‘O my father! You are determined to destroy me and ruin my home!’ The father replied, ‘O my son! I have done this for