Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Assalamu alaikum,
When one is not clear about the result of the istikhara, the fuqaha mention
that it is recommend to repeat it, upto 7 times if necessary (usually done on
separate occasions). [cf: Radd al-Muhtar]
It is not necessary that you get a dream or even a "feeling." Rather, the istikhara
is a prayer that Allah guide you towards that which is best (khayr) for you.
If you do the prayer of guidance (istikhara) with the proper manners, the most
important of which is to truly consign the matter to Allah and suspend your
own inclinations, then Allah will make events unfold in the direction that is
the best for your worldly and next-worldly affairs.
In general, when it is not possible to perform the istikhara prayer itself (such as when one is out on the road, or in one's menstrual period), it is recommended to simply read the dua itself. [Radd al-Muhtar]
The istikhara prayer may be made for a specific matter or be made for a general seeking of all that is best. Some scholars, including Imam Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha`rani and Ibn `Arafah before him saw this kind of istikhara prayer as being superior. Others, including Shaykh Ibn al-Arabi, recommended performing a general istikhara prayer for all that is good every day, ideally at the time of the Duha prayer (after sunrise).
Imam al-Nawawi mentioned that before the istikhara prayer, one should seek advice (istishara) from those whose knowledge, wisdom, and concern one is confident. Ibn Hajar al-Haytami and others mentioned that one of the benefits of this is to further distance oneself from the desires of one's own egotistic inclinations.
It is recommended to open the dua of istikhara [below], with praise of Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), and to close it in this manner, too.
Like other duas, it is recommended that one face the qibla.
It is disliked to 'hasten' in seeking the answer to one's istikhara, like other duas, because the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "Your prayers are answered, unless you hasten, saying, 'I prayed, but no answer came.'"
One should be pleased with what Allah chooses for one, and not seek to follow one's whims after the answer to one's supplication becomes clear.
>>there is a pious lady in our community who has offered to pray istikhara
for me to help me make a decision for marriage...[ .... ] my question to you
is if you know if this idea of relying on someone else's istikhara is a good
idea and compatible with the teachings of Islam on how to make dua and decisions.
should i follow her advice (according to her dreams and feelings) to me on this
issue or not?<<
This is one means you can take: to seek the istikhara of a pious person. The
permissibility of this was mentioned explicitly by the Malikis and Shafi`is.
The Hanafis do not appear to have discussed this issue [al-Mawsu`a al-Fiqhhiyya,
Kuwait], but there is nothing in it that would indicate its impermissibility.
Rather, it is merely the taking of a means, which is permitted as long as one
knows that the one who gives and takes, benefits and harms is Allah alone.
In such cases, though, one should not leave doing the istikhara oneself...
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.
MMVIII © Faraz Rabbani and Qibla.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of both copyright holders. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.
Through joining an online class at Qibla, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.
