Showing the land to an astrologer before building a house

Question

Question: Among us people have the custom that when they wish to build a house, they first show the land to an astrologer or a practitioner of lower (black) magic. He sits at that place, recites something, then tells whether the land is good or bad, or says that harmful things are buried in some part of it, and he removes them when the house is built. Some people relate from their experience that if this is not done, harm befalls the household. Please inform us of the ruling of the Shariʿa: what should be done?

Answer

This method is contrary to the teachings of Islam; they should repent from it and never do so again in future.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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