Istikhara

Salat al-Istikharah (Arabic: صلاة الاستخارة‎) is a prayer recited by Muslims when in need of guidance on an issue in their life. The salat is a two raka'ah salat performed to completion followed by the supplications Salat al-Istikharah.

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Istikhara . Tasbih

How is Istikhara by Tasbih performed? Which hand should the Sibha be taken in and how should one hold the Sibha? How should we choose a random spot on the beads? In what direction should we be counting two by two?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 6 days ago

Don't overthink it - just do it - the whole idea behind it is that Allah is guiding you and you are not controlling the action yourself. Allah is merciful and will not deprive anyone of divine guidance due to details.

Usually people have in mind which direction they will be counting and then do it, for instance if I am holding it with the main bead to the left, I have the intention I am counting that way before I proceed.

Maybe someone here can post a video on YouTube or link to one (hint).

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Marriage . Istikhara

If a marriage Istikharah comes out negative, does it mean it is negative forever? Or would it be okay to redo it later when certain situational factors have changed?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 6 days ago

Bismihi ta'ala

At first, we must understand the practice of istikharah, when/how/where and why it is done. If we do not correctly understand the purpose and usage of istikharah, we will face problems.

Marriage itself and pursuing a case for marriage is not something that should be dependent on istikharah. If you take the correct avenues, with having family and elders involved, and investigating and asking about the life and behaviour of the prospect spouse, then you are going to reach a conclusion.

If you have prioritised the correct requirements for a spouse, in being religious, and in having high akhlaq standards, then the investigation and consulting with others will give you your answer. There would be no need to resort to istikharah.

Istikharah would only be applicable if after everything you are still two-minded, and you need to seek divine intervention.

In any case, it is not haram to go against an istikharah. Of course, it's certainly better to not disregard the answer given to you by istikharah, or why else did you turn to do it in the first place.

If you did an istikharah, and it turned out against what you deeply wanted, and you wish to pursue it, then pay some sadaqah, allow some time to pass, change the circumstances, and then decide whether you wish to pursue it, or do another istikharah.

Always bear in mind that just because istikharah came out good, does not mean your marriage will last. You still need to be all your effort in keeping a marriage, and maybe it is God's fate for you to go through whatever is destined for you. That's why the best thing is always to make sure your spouse selection is based on the solid criteria recommended by Islam.

With prayers for your success.

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Sin . Istikhara

What are the repercussions of going against an Estikhara? Is it permanent damage of some sort or is there a sin associated with it? Does God give second chances?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 week ago

Going against the guidance of proper Istekhara is not Haraam but harmful in this life.
Istekhara should not be repeated unless the situation of the matter has changed.

Wassalam.

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Marriage . Istikhara

Can I reconsider marriage with a person much later on as the recent bad outcome of an Istikhara may have been for marriage right now?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 2 weeks ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. If there is an aspect in which your intention for the istekhara has changed you can take another istekhara with that modified intention.

May you always be successful

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Istikhara

I did Istikhara so many times and got nothing as a sign. Can you explain to me the correct process for it?

Here are some approaches you could use: https://www.al-islam.org/istikhara-seeking-best-allah-swt-muhammad-baqir...

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Future . Marriage . Ethics . Istikhara

Can we judge how someone's character will be in the future with the help of Istekhara, such as in a marriage situation?

The goal of istikhara, as presented in hadith, is to seek divine wisdom for what path we should take. So, from that angle, the goal of istikhara is not to see how someone's character will be in a marriage.

However, some scholars who have a lot of experience performing istikharas might sometimes be able to offer some insights on the matter, especially if it is glaringly apparent.

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Istikhara . Scholars

I got Istikhara done from two scholars. One of them gave me a negative outcome and the other a positive one. What should I do now?

It was wrong to do second Istikhara after you have done the first one. Istikhara is one time only for one matter and there is no meaning to second Istikhara unless the matter has changed and became another matter.

'You are advised to act upon the first Istikhara.

'Wassalam.

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Istikhara . Tasbih

Is doing Istikhara from Tasbeeh a correct and acceptable way?

Yes

Here is a nice, short book on the topic of istikhara that has a short section on it: https://www.al-islam.org/istikhara-seeking-best-allah-swt-muhammad-baqir...

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Istikhara . Love

Are we allowed to perform Istikhara if we absolutely love something and we believe it is a right choice? If it is allowed, is there a benefit if we have already made a decision?

Istekhara is seeking guidance from Allah (SWT) in any matter which is permissible in principle and we are unable to decide about it.

If you have already decided an action, there is no point in Istekhara after you have decided.

'Loving something does not mean that it is good for us. Millions of people suffered a lot from things which they loved sometime then discovered later that love was based on mirage not facts. Sensible persons do not rely on love only but on intellect and factual reasons. If you are not sure whether your love is based on facts or emotions, you can go for Istekhara to be guided.

Wassalam.

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Parents . Istikhara . Engagement

I recently got engaged to a man who my parents chose and for whom the Istikhara came out positive. I have spoken to him a few times, he is a good person but I don't really feel any connection with him and it worries me about the future. What should I do?

Bismihi ta'ala

A marriage should not be based on the answer of an Istikharah. You must decide on marrying the person based on a combination of things, from being religious, pious, high moral standards, good family, compatibility, shared ambitions, and so on.

What you should do in the situation you are in is find commonalities and work on the areas in which both of you connect. If he is a good person, and he has positive qualities, for sure things will work out for both of you. It is unrealistic for anyone to assume that we will share all similarities with our spouse, as there are always going to be things we differ on.

People change as well. You might not feel the connection because you were expecting something else, or had some image of an ideal spouse, or maybe you felt something else, but as you are married now, you are able to find ways in strengthening your bond with your husband.

With prayers for your success.

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Istikhara

There are many online sources on how to perform Istikhara. What is the best way to perform it?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 7 months ago

as salam alaikum

What has been widely and most-authentically reported from the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt is the istikharah performed by du'a that also can be preceded by two-rakat salat.

With prayers for your success.

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Istikhara . Intention . God (Allah)

If a person does Istikhara with the intention that she will not follow it if it comes out bad, is this intention of Istikhara valid, or will they have to perform the Istikhara again with the intention that they will follow whatever Allah wills?

If the person had the intention not to follow the Istekhara if it come out bad, the Istekhara is invalid. Istekhara means seeking guidance from Allah whether we like it or not. The intention of not following it if it come out bad means that the person is not seeking guidance from Allah through Istekhara, rather wants to dictate what he wants on the Istekhara. Such act is wrong and has no value.

Wassalam.