How should one deal with so many people turning to esotericism and tarot?

With calm and with wisdom. Such trends come and go like fashions, and what remains are firm values that truly benefit people.

Many people today look for something to hold on to in tarot cards, healing crystals, faith healing or a blend of different teachings. They take a little from everything, yet nothing binds them. There is a reason for this. Such a blend lets a person feel spiritual without being bound by any divine guidance. It is the work of human hands, and human work does not last.

These attempts are nothing new. Again and again there have been movements that wanted to merge all religions into one, without regard for their scriptures. Some cults and fashions become very popular for a while, and many then believe the whole world will follow them. Then they fade away.

The first verse above describes this with an image from nature. After heavy rain the valleys fill with water. Foam floats on top, and at first it is the most visible thing. When the water settles, the foam is gone. What remains is what benefits people. So a Muslim need not lose heart because of such trends. He stands for firm values that change human behaviour for the better and for good.

It is important to understand the cause. A doctor must first recognise the illness before he prescribes a remedy. In the same way one should ask why a person turns to tarot. Often there is a wish to stay free while still being a little religious. Whoever wants to read the future from cards is looking for something that, according to the Holy Qur’an, only God knows.

When someone shows no interest in faith, it is not always only his doing. Perhaps we have not yet found the right way to reach him. Whoever takes the other person's questions seriously and responds to them wisely will get further.