Whoever is prevented from doing something because of his belief in bad omens has thus committed polytheism. They said: What is the expiation of that? He said: It is to say: "O Allah, there is no good except Your good, nor omen except Your omen, and there is no god but You

Explanation

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that whoever refrains from doing anything that he had intended to do out of belief in bad omens, has in some sense committed polytheism. When the Companions asked him about the expiation of this major sin, he instructed them to say those noble words mentioned in the Hadīth. This homily indicates entrusting all affairs to Allah and negating omnipotence from anyone other than Him.

Lessons

• It establishes the polytheism of a person who is deterred by an evil omen from pursuing his course of action.
• The repentance of a polytheist is accepted.
• It guides to what a person should say if he is influenced by evil omens.
• Good and evil are predestined by Allah Almighty.