By Yusuf Badat
What is Istikharah?
Istikharah literally means to seek the good. – (See: Lisan Al-ʿArab). In a religious technical context it refers to seeking good from the Almighty to make an appropriate decision, through formal prayer and a specified supplication. – (See: Qamus Al-Fiqh)
What is the Status of Istikharah?
Istikharah is a sunnah (prophetic practice) – (See: Sahih Bukhari)
When Does One Do Istikharah?
Istikharah is conducted when there is ambiguity and or confusion, in moving forward or deciding an islamicaly permissible matter, such as the purchase of a vehicle, accepting a marriage proposal or relocating to another city. There is no istikharah in matters that are already known to be positive or clearly sinful, such as giving charity or committing theft. – (See: Hujjat-Allahi Al-Balighah)
What is the Istikharah Supplication?
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ)
“Allahumma inni astakhiruka biʿilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa asʾaluka min fadlika al-ʿadhim fa-innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa taʿlamu wala aʾalamu, wa anta ʿallamul-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta taʾlamu anna hadhalamra khayrun li fi dini wa maʿashi waʿaaqibati amri faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li fih, wa in kunta taʿlamu anna hadhalamra sharrun li fi dini wa maʿaashi waʿaaqibati ʿamri fasrifhu ʿanni wasrifni anhu. waqdir li alkhayra haithu kana thumma ardini bih.”
“O Allah! I seek guidance from your knowledge, and power from your might, and I [also] ask for your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know [what is best for me] and I do not. You know the unseen. O Allah! If you know that this matter is good for my religion, my sustenance and my hereafter, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me to attain thereafter bless me in it. If you know that this matter is harmful to me for my religion, sustenance and my hereafter, then keep it away from me and let me turn away from it, thereafter ordain for me whatever is good for me, and satisfy me with it.” – (See: Sahih Bukhari)
What is the Step by Step Procedure of Istikharah?
- Perform ablution (wudu).
- Perform two units of optional (nafl) prayer.
- Have a clear mind when making istikharah, not leaning to one particular matter.
- Recite the istikharah supplication
- Place your full trust in God and proceed with what you feel is the best action after also consulting others.
(See: Sahih Bukhari, Mirqat Al-Mafatiḥ, Al-Dur Al-Mukhtar, Qamus Al-Fiqh)
How Many Days Can One Do Istikharah for?
Jurists have stated that one can perform istikharah for 3 days or maximum 7 days. – (See: Al-Dur Al-Mukhtar, Qamus Al-Fiqh)
Is There a Time When Istikharah Cannot Be Done?
- Avoid the istikharah two units of prayer during the makruh (disliked) timings for prayer [namely, after fajrto sunrise, when the sun is at it’s zenith at midday and after ʿaṣr up to sunset).
- Sisters should not perform the istikharah two units of prayer during menses and post-natal bleeding.
(See: Al-Dur Al-Mukhtar)
What Should I Do If I Have Not Memorized the Istikharah Supplication?
The istikharah supplication can be read on a device or from a printed document after the two units of prayer. – (See: Al-Mawsuʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah)
Will I See a Dream After Conducting the Istikharah?
It is not necessary to see a dream, nor is it necessary to have a particular feeling. After the procedure of istikharah, do what one feels is the best action, knowing that the best outcome is what the Almighty has decided. – (Al-Dur Al-Mukhtar, Qamus Al-Fiqh)
Is There Anything Else I Need to do After Istikharah?
Istikharah should always be coupled with consultation (shura). Consult with loved ones, experts and responsible individuals. – (See: Al-Taʾliq Al-Sabih)
Can Someone Else Conduct Istikharah on my Behalf?
Even though some have permitted istikharah on behalf of another person, many islamic jurists are of the view that one should not be making istikharah for another. The most genuine and accurate istikharah is of the very person who needs clarity and divine help in deciding a particular matter. – (See: Al-Fawakih Al-Dawani)
“The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach us the way of doing istikharah, in all matters as he taught us the chapters of the Quran. He instructed, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any task they should offer a two unit optional prayer and say the supplication [of istikhara ].”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Source: brought to you by Mathabah, read more here.
