Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked:

Question:

Is a good omen (الفأل ) only in a good word?

Answer:

“This is an example. This is only an example. A good omen can be a good word, or something visible, or well-known. Three [types]”.

[Sharh Saheeh Muslim-Kitab an-Nikah, wal-Radaa’a, wat-Talaaq, wal-La’aan, wal-‘Itq tape no. 3a].

*Translator’s Note:

This is in reference to the following Hadith:

عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏‏لا عدوى ولا طِيَرة ويعجبني الفأل‏‏ قالوا‏:‏ وما الفأل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏كلمة طيبة‏

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There is no ‘Adha nor Tiyara, but I am pleased with good omens.” He was asked: “What is good omen?” He replied, “A good word.”

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Translated by:

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan