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.

144338

Istikhara . Marriage Proposal

After my initial Istikhara for a marriage proposal turned out negative, new positive information has surfaced about the same proposal. Should I redo the Istikhara or consider accepting the proposal?

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 1 settimana fa

Bismillah

Alaykum Salaam

Thank you for your question. If the new information is such that you are no longer confused about the decision you can make your decision based on that new information. If even with the new information you are still confused you can take out another istekhara.

May you always be successful

143565

Marriage . Istikhara . Qur'an

In the context of a marriage decision, a 'Faal' from the Quran was positive, but an Istikhara done later later yielded a negative result. What should one do?

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 3 settimane fa

Bismihi ta'ala

In the context of marriage, istikharah should only occur if someone is two-minded about two different proposals at once, both being equal.

For marriage, you should do a background check on the person, research about them, look at compatibility, try to understand who they are, their family especially, and then consult with well-informed or experienced people.

How actually religious are they? How is their akhlaq and what are their moral standards? These are the two primary questions you must have an answer to as well.

It's only after this that you evaluate the situation, and see whether or not you are still confused and two-minded, in which case you can do istikharah.

Faal is different to istikharah. Faal is trying to find out what will happen, whereas istikhara is is about whether you should go ahead or not.

In any case, these stages should be pursued, and if you are convinced, and done all your required work, you do not need to resort to istikharah.

And Allah knows best

136971

Istikhara

I have chosen to switch from studying medical to social sciences as I like the latter. My mom was not satisfied with my decision and did Istakhara that indicated I should take medical. Should I follow the Istikhara despite not liking that subject?

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 1 mese fa

If you already made the decision, there is no point to taking istikhara.

Anyway, it is good to talk with your mother about her concerns since she probably has some solid reasons for her view.

However, if you really don't like medicine, there is no purpose in studying it, because we don't do well at things we don't like. Also, no one wants to go to a doctor, nurse, surgeon, pharmacist, etc, who is not 100% committed to their job.

Wishing you the best, whatever you do! (And this answer is probably late!)

139187

Istikhara . Travel

I did Istikhara about traveling abroad a few months ago and it turned out bad. Can I try and do it again?

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 mesi fa

Istikhara should not be done again unless the situation of the matter has changed. If there is no change in the matter, there is no points in trying to do an istikhara again.

Wassalam.

135096

Travel . Istikhara . Employment

I am a grade 12 student and I really want to travel abroad for my studies as the opportunities are better than in my home country. My mom did Istikhara and said it isn't going to work out. Do I take the risk or do I repeat the Istikhara after a week?

Istikhara can not be repeated if it comes against what we mant. The only situation in which another Istikhara can be repeated is when the total situation changes and it becomes another matter.

Wassalam.

121602

Istikhara . Marriage Proposal

I did Istikhara on a marriage proposal and it turned out positive, however the boy also did Istikhara without knowing about mine and his reply was negative. What should we do?

Istikhara is not obligatory in every marriage. It is helpful if you are unable to decide whether the proposal is good or not.

The Istikhara which you did is for your intention, while the Istikhara which the boy did was for his intention. You need to wait till any change in the circumstances takes place, then if you remain unable to decide and you still need an Istikhara, then both should go for one joint Istikhara.

Wassalam.

120843

Istikhara . Marriage

Is it compulsory to do Istikhara for marriage? If it comes out negative, can we still do ahead with the marriage?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. It is not obligatory to do an istikhara for marriage and if it comes out negative there is no obligation to act in accordance with it. A person should not take an istikhara unless they are unsure and do not have a preference for a certain outcome.

However, the spirit of istikhara is to seek the best from Allah, so if all of its conditions have been fulfilled the answer a person has been seeking is within the istikhara.

May you always be successful

119598

Istikhara

I asked a Maulana to do Istekhara which came out to be bad. After a couple of hours and making Dua to Allah to turn the result, my husband did Istekhara which came out to be good. What should I do?

Istekhara in one matter is just once and there is no point in repeating the Istekhara on the same matter, unless the situation of the matter has changed.

Wassalam.

117485

Istikhara

I got an Istikhara done by a religious scholar for going abroad to Germany for further studies. He responded that it has come out as negative. What should I do?

You are been advised to follow the guideline of the Istikhara. It is not Haraam to act otherwise, but it will be harmful to against the Istikhara.

Wassalam.

115362

Istikhara

I proposed to a girl who is religious but her father did Istekhara and it came in the negative. However, when I did Istekhara it came positive. How can I proceed with this situation?

Bismihi ta'ala

Some parents or suitors choose to perform istikharah for marriage proposals, and that is their choice, and if they completely depend on the result of the istikharah, it should be respected.

As the girl's father is her wali amr, and he turned to istikharah, their decision is going to be based on that, even though your istikharah turned out good.

In this situation, you can proceed by having a conversation with her father, and trying to find ways of either doing another istikharah, or negotiating what would be best for both families. If he stands firm behind the result of the istikharah, then you must respect that, wish well for her and her family, and pursue another case for marriage.

Also, please bear in mind that istikharah being good for a marriage proposal does not mean the marriage will be perfect and free of problems.

With prayers for your success.

110047

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?

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).

110165

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?

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.