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.

92568

Woman . Man . Istikhara . Husband . Marriage . Divorce

A woman is in Nikah of a man but separated. Can she seek Istikhara for her potential match without being divorced or having permission from her current husband?

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... Answer updated 2 years ago

Technically you are married (even if psychologically or socially you are single), so if you want to marry someone else, you should first get a divorce, and then observe iddah if necessary.

Istikhara is not appropriate for a thing which is inherently forbidden (and to marry someone else while you are married is forbidden).

This is why it is not a good idea to let a nikah without an actual marriage hang for a long time, whether it is as an engagement or after marriage. Of course it happens and I am not saying it is your fault personally, as usually it is the fault of society, but I am just saying it is not a healthy situation.

Anyway I hope you can resolve your marital situation soon (or, rather, dissolve it, if that is your intent).

89929

Istikhara . Kaffara

I did an Istekhara and the outcome came in the negative. Can I still do that action if I am really inclined for it? Can I give some Kuffara to do so?

You can, but, over time, you may come to understand the meaning of the istikhara and why it was negative.

It is not necessary to give kaffarah.

80437

Istikhara . Marriage

My mother did Istikhara for my marriage and it came out positive. However, they broke it off after visiting the boy's house. And now I have done an Istikhara and my heart is inclined towards marrying him. What should I do?

Istikhara in the Shi'i tradition answers the question of "what should I do?", not "what will happen?" It is useful if you have a clear choice in front of you ("should/shouldn't I do this?") and the ability to act on that choice.

From your question, it sounds like you currently do not have the choice to marry or not-marry him. That is, the matter is not in your hands. Therefore, if the question was just, "Should I marry him?", that is not a valid question.

However, if the question was something like "should I encourage my mother to reconsider the marriage?" and the answer was yes, I doubt there is any harm in doing that.

(I don't get the sense that he is asking you to marry him without your family's permission and you are trying to decide whether or not to do it. If that is your situation, feel free to submit another question.)

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Istikhara

After going for the good option in an Istikhara, can the other option be performed years later?

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 2 years ago

It is not advisable to go against the Istikhara, but it is not Haraam to do so.

If the circumstances have changed, you can seek another Istikhara.

Wassalam.

72561

Marriage . Istikhara . Engagement

My marriage Istikhara was positive, having been done repeatedly and by multiple sources, so we proceeded to engagement but it broke after a few months. Why was the Istikhara positive and how can we trust this process again?

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... Answer updated 2 years ago

as salam alaikum

the purpose of istikharah is not to tell what will happen in the future but to indicate the best course of actions to be undertaken by the believer who put his trust in Allah.

One of the underlying notions in the Du'a Istikharah of Imam Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be upon him, is that the servant should be pleased with what Allah has decreed for him. In it there is a huge wisdom that the servant may realize later on, or even after his lifetime.

It is important however to consider istikharah as a du'a and a request to Allah, not a prediction of future events.

With prayers for your success.

65493

Istikhara . Marriage . Parents

Can a parent do an Istikhara regarding their children's marriage without their knowledge and then encourage or discourage a potential match accordingly?

The Istikhara binds or guides the person who did it not others. It can be possible that the parents want guidance on the future of a proposed marriage through Istikhara, but that is for them.

Wassalam.

59991

Istikhara . Husband

The result of an Istikhara done by a lady for her husband to stay in a town came out "bad". Is it obligatory for the husband to follow the outcome of this Istikhara, or can he see another Istikhara with a different Niyyat to stay in that town?

The Istikhara done by a person does not bind other person even if they are husband and wife unless it was done by request from the husband and his wife was just doing it on his behalf and on his intention.

Wassalam.

56849

Istikhara . Du'a (Supplication)

Can Du'a change the outcome of an Istikhara over time for the same issue?

Seyed Ali Musawi, Seyed Ali Musawi studied religion and history at the University of California, San Diego and subsequently he studied for more than 8 years at the Islamic Seminary in Qum, Iran, focusing on Islamic... Answered 3 years ago

To answer your question, yes it is possible for a dua to change a given situation. With that said, i would caution against overuse of Istikharas. They should only be performed after one has utilized their intellect to the full extent, and they have consulted with others, and done everything within their reach to reach a solid conclusion. If they still haven't been able to reach a conclusion, only then should an Istikhara be utilized.

In some cultures in the Middle East, Istikharas are over utilized while God has given us an intellect for a reason....

Istikhara . Du'a (Supplication)

Can Du'a change the outcome of an Istikhara over time for the same issue?

Istekhara can not be repeated on the same matter unless the circumstances change. Du'a can help in changing the circumstances then another Istekhara can be seen.

Wassalam.

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Istikhara

I performed Istikhara for the same issue twice within a space of a few days and got opposite responses each time. How is that possible when there was no change in the circumstances around that issue?

The second Istekhara is invalid because Istikhara can not be repeated unless and until circumstances change.

Wassalam.

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Istikhara . Qur'an

When performing Istikhara through the Qur'an, if the verse relates to Allah giving advice rather than a command, does the Istikhara imply a yes or no?

It depends on the verses. Most results can be interpreted as "yes" or "no". Occasionally it does not give a strong view either way. You could ask someone for a second opinion on it. Generally the result of an istikhara does not come in the form of a command but rather is interpreted from the overall content and context of the verses.

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Istikhara . Qur'an

What is the best method for performing Istikhara from the Quran?

Istekhara from the Holy Qur'an has many conditions, without fulfilling
all of which, no one will be able to do it and understand it properly.
Among the conditions is the ability to understand the meaning of the
Qur'anic verses. Not only the verse which comes on the top of the page
but also the meaning of the verse before it and after it.

Many of the leading Ulema advise to seek Istekhara of Tasbeeh rather than of the Holy Qur'an except for those who really have the all its conditions
met. Some people refer to the translation to understand the meaning
which is not accurate always, and any sort of less understanding of the Holy
Qur'an can give inappropriate understanding of the result of the
Istekhara. There is no difference between the Istekhara of Tasbeeh and
the Holy Qur'an because we are seeking guidance from the same source
who is Allah (SWT). So there is no point in thinking that the Istekhara
from the Holy Qur'an is more appropriate especially when the
conditions of the Istekhara of Holy Qur'an are not fully met.

Wassalam.