Some people say: In such-and-such a star, the rains come and spring grows. Is this shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Question:
A questioner says: Some people say that in such-and-such a star, the rains come and spring grows. They do not say this out of belief, but rather by attributing it to the seasons in which the rains come. Is this shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Answer:
The scholars distinguished between saying "We were rained upon by such-and-such a star" and "We were rained upon in such-and-such a star." Saying "in" is permissible. As for the preposition "by" indicating causality, it is not permissible. The "by" indicates causality, whereas "in" indicates a time frame. It is permissible to say "We were rained upon in," meaning in such-and-such a time. It is permissible to say "We were rained upon in summer," "We were rained upon in winter," or "We were rained upon in spring"; there is no objection to this. However, saying "by spring" or "by the star" indicates causality, and this is not permissible. And Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and his Companions.