Salat Al-Istikhara in Arabic
Chinese Muslims praying in Xinjiang China
"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task.
The one who does the istikhara is asking Allah Almighty, the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) to guide him or her to know whether the task is better for him or not.
Salat al-Istikhara is a powerful tool that Allah has given us to ask His guidance in all matters. We should not hesitate to pray Istikhara before making any choice in our lives, big or small.
It's important to do this prayer with sincerity, knowing in our hearts that only Allah can give us the guidance we seek, and resolved to follow the guidance He gives us, even if it clashes with our own desires.
We should also say the duaa with firm conviction, not begging or pleading, but asking Allah clearly for guidance.
And we should not be impatient after our duaa. We do not put Allah on a timetable. And we should not expect some sort of miracle, or a dream full of signs and symbols. These things are not necessary. We simply say our prayers and trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best.
We have several articles about Salat-al-Istikhara on this website, IslamicAnswers.com. Take the time to read the articles and learn how to perform the Istikhara prayer properly. It will benefit you tremendously in your life choices.
According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any action he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):
Salat Al-Istikhara in Arabic
TRANSLATION: "O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."
WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:
First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above.
How many times?
It depends. Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer, you may stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).
THE IMPORTANCE OF ISTIKHARAH
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And it is very possible that you dislike something whereas it is good for you; and (similarly) it is very possible that you like something whereas it is bad for you". (Baqarah 16)
From the above ayah, we learn that man has limited knowledge and deficient intellect. Therefore, many a times, he may desire something, which may prove harmful to him, and on the other hand, he may dislike something, while it is good for him. The sole possessor of perfect knowledge, and the only knower of the unseen is Allah, the Creator of man and the Controller of the system of the entire universe. Therefore if man desires good, he can only find it in the hands of Allah. According to one Hadith: "It is from the good fortune of man that he makes Istikharah (seeks good) from Allah, and it is from his misfortune that he discards Istikharah."
'Allamah Aini (RA) writes: "Man should never overlook any matter due to its insignificance and discard Istikharah. How many matters are regarded as insignificant and Istikharah is not made for them, due to which great harm is suffered when carrying them out or abandoning them. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "(Every) one of you should ask his need from his sustainer to the extent that he should ask Him for salt, and for a shoelace when it breaks."
"Allamah Ibnul Qayyim (RA) has written: "The person who makes Istikharah (seek good) from his Creator and makes 'mashwarah' (consults) the creation never regrets, since Allah said to (His Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)): "Consult them in matters. Thus, when You make a decision, place your trust in Allah".
Shaikh Tahir bin Husain bin Abdullah bin Tahir wrote in a letter to his son after he had become an amir or governor: "Whenever any matter of importance comes upon you, seek assistance in it by making Istikharah to Allah and fearing him". He also advised him thus: "and perform Istikharah abundantly in all your matters". (Al-Istikharah by M.T. Hakeem)
A GREAT BENEFIT OF ISTIKHARAH
Hadrat Shah Waliyyullah (RA) writes: "From amongst the greatest benefits of Istikharah is that man becomes detached from his carnal desires, his animalistic characteristics become subject to his angelic nature and he hands himself over to Allah. When he does this, he reaches the stages of the angels whose quality is that they await the command of Allah. When Allah's command is received, they exert themselves through divine motivation and not carnal motivation. I believe that excessive Istikharah is a proven tonic for the inculcation of angelic qualities."
A MISCONCEPTION
But alas, today, Istikharah has become as equally difficult as making a decision. People hesitate so much to perform this great act of worship, that only at the last alternative, when no other way can be perceived, they would turn to some innovated act that has no basis in the Hadith, such as the taking of a good omen by opening the Qur'an and counting lines and letters, etc.; or asking someone else to perform Istikharah on their behalf. Shaikh Nuruddin Itr says: As far as the common practice today which people aspire to uphold, that Istikharah will only be correct if it is carried out by certain persons, and that a dream is necessary, this is extremism and obstanance, and is not the command of Allah nor His Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). This all stems from such constraint among the Muslims that does not behove of them. This led them to abandoning one great Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), thus they deprived themselves of the merits of this great Sunnah and it’s blessings, and from blemishing it's purity. Similarly Hadrat Moulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar (RA) states in his book "Sunnats" on page 49, that "asking another person to make Istikharah on one's behalf is not substantiated from any Hadith. To make mashwarah' (consult) with someone else is Sunnah.' Sometimes Istikharah becomes a means of greater confusion. A person who does not generally see dreams, nor perceives an inclination towards or away from the object of his Istikharah, now finds himself in a greater predicament. As for the person who does see a dream, he is put through the inconvenience of finding someone to interpret it for him. And if he saw a clear dream, or received an interpretation indicating to one particular option, and thereafter was not able to overcome the obstacles obstructing his path to achieving his aim, this person is left in sheer perplexity.
STATUS OF DREAMS IN ISTIKHARAH
Firstly, one must understand that none of the narrations in the Ahadith have any mention regarding a dream, or even about performing the 'Istikharah' before sleeping. However, some "Ulama do prefer that Istikharah be performed before sleeping.
With regards to the person who does see a dream after performing 'Istikharah', this dream is just like any other dream that a person sees. This means that just as other dreams fall under one of three categories (which will be explained shortly), likewise will the dreams seen after Istikharah1 be. It is reported in a Hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and other books of Hadith that dreams are of three types:
1. Hadeeth-un-Nafs (imaginations)
2. ‘takhweefus shaytaan’ a dream instilled in the mind by shaytan. This also known as ‘wasaaisu-us-shaytaan’ or ‘tahzeenu-us-shaytaan’.
3. ‘Bushraa minallaah’ True dreams, which are also known as ‘mubash-sharaat’
It is mentioned in a Hadith that the dreams of pious muminin (believers) are generally true dreams.
Another Hadith states: "The most true dreams are those seen at the time of Sahar (early dawn).
Entries(RSS)
I got very good proposal when v speak to qari he checked in istakhara that its good but when my sister did her self she see black cloth in her dream tell me what v will do know
salaam
If u dont have a clear asnwear after istikhara then follow ur heart.
WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:
First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above
i thought we can choose which surah to pray after the Fatiha of course, Surah Kafiroun and Sura al lkhlas are mandatory or only suggestions?
I saw many dreams in two days. First night I saw myself feeding my friend a white cake on her birthday, but also saw a red playing card (I've been playing solitaire excessively lately). The second night, I saw another friend wearing red lipstick and a red shirt, but in another dream I saw me and my friend performing a dance on stage in front of a large audience (weird, but true), in which my friend takes a bow after the last act in a parrot green dress. My heart is still the same after two nights. What should I do? I keep seeing many dreams in one night.
there is no dreams going to come after this salaat.
Just goto an site where u can find the right way to perform the salaat and follow it.
abdul khader, this website has a lot of good and sound information about istikhara. Check out some our links at the top of the page.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
ya but about the dream, do u ve any authentic source?
aslmalkm
abdul khader, have you read any of our articles on this subject? We never said or suggested that a person must get a dream after istikhara.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
ohh k because there was one who was speaking about dreams so i thought she/he would ve read from here about dreams so told tht
and what about this
WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:
First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd"¦) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above
??
can v not recite other surahs??? after surah fatiha
Salaam.
can someone help me because I dont know where else I should ask for help.
I am thinking on preforming Istikhara about someone I want to be with but Im not sure if I am still allowed to speak to that person until I see some guidence from Allah. I heard from someone that you are not allowed to speak to the person or even see them for 7 days, I just wanted to know if that is true
Walaykum Assalam,
Mmm, i dont think you have to stop speaking to him while your doing istikhara, (Anyone can correct me if am wrong) however you have to make sure you have a clear mind, and are not already inclined to a decision, As that would make it harder for you to interpret the istikhara,
Another thing amina, talking from personal experience, please fully research on istikhara first, and try and understand it before you go about doing your istikhara,
it sounds easy to do, buh it's alot of responsibility.
please read the translation it will help you to realise what your actually asking for,
And inshAllah it will give you a better understanding too,
I hope Allah (Swt) Guides you The right way And makes you happy with your destiny (Ameen)
x
Jazakallah for your help sister
Salaam sister, I wanted to know if you know that when you are doing istikhara dua do you have to read it in arabic or you can say it in english aswel??
Walaykum Assalam Amina,
You should pray it in arabic, however for better understanding and Knowing what your actually asking for, you can pray it in english as well.
Salams sisters and brothers,
I'm in need to perform the salat istikharah. My question is: when is the best time to do it? Can it be anytime, be it in the afternoon or evening? Or should I perform it at night, like after midnight? If yes, should I sleep first?
Jazakallah for your response.
Wassalams.
walaikum assalam wr wb,
you can do at any time of the day .. apart from the prohibited timings of dawn and dusk and after asar..
wama alaina ilal balaagh
hey to everyone .its the first time i visit this website and its really amasing to find such advices .however i would like to have as well some advices for myself if possible .When i do isti5ara it should be after my salatt or i should do it seperatly .please advice
thank you may allah bless u .
Asalaamualaykum Nadine,
Please read the articles on istikhara, you will find information on how to perform istikhara according to Quan and Sunnah.
JazalhAllah,
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
as salamuialakum
A guy has asked for my hand and i have said no i'm not ready yet for marriage, he kept on mentioning it and it came to the point where i kept on thinking about it excessively on a daily basis. I was very confused on whether my decision to say no to him was right or not so i began research on instikhara before i performed it. The research i got was if i was to have a dream anything that was green or white mostly would be a yes or go for it and anything that would be black or red would be a no or avoid it.
Soooooo in my dream i saw a white room at first the whole place was white, from the wall, celing, floor and furniture. But then my gaze went to the right and there was a big red painting hanged up on the wall, my gaze then went back to the left and there was a small window with red coloured stained glass like the ones in teh churhces but this was really red and then a man walked into the room with a red jumper. Thats it
Please if anyone could get this interpreted it would be extremly helpful
please i need help ....after my istikhara prayer...i got a dream where i saw me wearing white another women wearing white and a close cousin of mine wearing green and a brother of the boy i would like to marry whom this istikhara was about was wearing a red top....so i'm confuseddd is this a signn sayingg yess marry that boyy or noo don't marry that boy...or is descision entirely upon meeee...after a done the instikhara i feeled good but when i had the first dreaam i had a bad feelingg after thinkingg the dream was positive...i'm totally confused byy sseing 3 different colours in my dream.
Sister Tamaana, istikhara has nothing to do with seeing colors in a dream. Please read some of our articles on Istikhara to learn all about it. The links are at the top of the website.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
aslmualkm. .
good dreams are from ALLAH and bad dreams are from satan. .
and after istikhaara prayer there is nothing like u will get a dream. .
but there will be signs from ALLAH, once u ve been shown the signs just close ur eyes and follow them blindly.
can the admin delete this thread as it has wrong information about the way of performing istikhara, i mean there is no sahih hadees which says tht after istikhara u have to get dreams and in ur dreams u ll be shown the right path. .
We already had this discussion three months ago, brother. The post says clearly, "We should not expect some sort of miracle, or a dream full of signs and symbols. These things are not necessary. We simply say our prayers and trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best."
And the post also gives good, authentic information about Istikhara. Please read it.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
*RIGHT WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA*
2 rakath of nafil namaaz(salaat) and then the dua :
Allaahumma 'innee 'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka min fadhtikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa 'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi.
____________________________________
Thats it. .
and after istikhaara prayer there is nothing like u will get a dream. . (not proven from sahih hadees)
but there will be signs from ALLAH, once u ve been shown the signs just close ur eyes and follow them blindly.
Waw! mashaa Allah Brothers and sisters
hi sister and brother .. I have a question! Can any one pray istikhara to another one? ( for example: Can I pray for my friend? ) Thanks all
Aslamu alaikum brother/sister
plz tel me is their any specific time to perform Istikhara, i have heard that Istikhra should be performed only at night.. if it is so then plz brother/sister guide me.. May Allah give us right path.. Ameen
Jazak Allah Khair
Salam,
Most of the questions asked, have the answers in the text above. read the text first.
Thank you for point that out 'Mohamed F', I agree.
I do wonder if anyone actually bothers reading the above articles about Istikhara because we seem to be getting alot of questions asking the same thing. As you said, they will most likely find an answer to their questions in the articles, if they just 'read'.
So dear readers, please read, Iqra!!! :O)
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Me and this boy really liked eachother yet he went Pakistan a while ago and when he returned he told me that he had got engaged to his cousin in Pakistan and i dont know why but i didnt believe it so i decided to do istikhara and asked if it is in my kismat to get married to him.
The first night i saw grey and white teddy bears in a dark room with a white light shining down on the white teddy bear, the teddy bears were travelling along a machine in a factory and then the dream ended with a big white teddy bear on the green grass walking toward me.
The second night i saw an ocean which was half blue and half green and in the distance there was a black scuba diver.
The third night i saw all my family dressed in black and white police outfits and my mother was wearing a pink and black one.
Then i did the instant istikhara (where your head tilts to the right or left) and i asked if it was in my kismat to get married to him and my head tilted to the right which could only mean that it was positive. i did this twice and received the same result.
I'm confused as to what the dreams mean and whether i should tell him or not.
Fatima, everything you are saying about Salat al-Istikhara is incorrect. Please read the article on this page that you are commenting on. It explains everything about how to perform Istikhara. We also have additional articles (you can see the links at the top). Istikhara has nothing to do with dream interpretation. Your teddy bears, scuba diver and police outfits are irrelevant and have nothing to do with Istikhara.
Secondly, there is no such thing as "instant Istikhara" with the head tilting one way or another. This is utter nonsense and has absolutely no foundation in Quran or Sunnah. Sorry to be harsh but I want everyone to be clear that no such things exists.
I guess people don't want to take the time to learn and pray Istikhara properly, instead they want a shortcut, so they invent some silly thing with no basis in deen.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
'...teddy bears, scuba diver and police outfits'
Wael, you left out the tipping of the head from side to side.
Sounds like something from the Telly Tubbies and Exorcist combined.
Ya Allah, give me strength.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
SisterZ: we used to joke when growing up that when Allah (SWT) was "distributing" common sense at the time of creation some people were missing!! LOL...now I know there are many, many more people in the world who were absent at that time
Atleast we are getting free laughs here!
Last couple of months I was having a mild fight with my husband who lives in a different country.but this fight turned into something where we came up to a thought that we might have to end this relation knowing I love him very much. But deep down inside of my heart I know we belong together but when I use reason and my persoal experiences I see different. Then I decided to perform salatul isthekhara since Allah is the one who knows the best for me. First night it was a blank slate where I did not feel anything. Second night I saw something but it was so gloomy and unclear that when I woke up for fazr salat I could not recall anything. Then the third night I was a beautiful place where I went with him in last January.there was one of his friend who took us to that place I clearly saw his face.I felt very peace through out my dream felt very happy to be with him just like the way I felt when we were going there in real life.then I woke up for fazr prayer and suddenly I thought may I did not see anything tonight as well but when I was making my wadu the dream started to come back in my sense then I realled the whole dream. Please guide me through this part since it's about my marriage life and divorce. Am I making a right decision to not to file for divorce eventhough my husband is insisting me for that? Am I in a right path which is chosen by my lord Allah?
I forgot to add one thing that after that night I started to thing about my mistakes a lot and the desire to be with him is increasing day by day.is it a guidance by Allah as well which come alone my dream?
I have done my istekhare for my rishta in which i have seen qurani ayet in sky 2nd night white parrote 3rd the white dopata with green and red flower in my mom cloth box,i am soooooo confused what should i do.
Istikhara is not about dreams or dream signs. Please read the articles we have posted about Istikhara to get the proper understanding.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Aslamu alaikum brothers/sisters,
Its really very very important decision for me i kindly request all to help me out. Its about my marriage. I did Istikhara many times and even my mother also did Istikhara many times. But we dint get any indications or signs. Whereas when the girl side they did and they got positive signs. I really dont understand i cannot concentrate on anything. I like girl very much. I want everything to happen smoothly. I dont know which way to choose now. I feel very difficulty. I dont know what to do my parents are really worried about me. Please suggest / advice / opinions.
Syed, wa alaykum as-salam. Istikhara is not about getting signs. Please read some of our articles about Salat al-Istikhara (links at the top of the page) to learn more about this important prayer.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
LOL, Br. Wael, this is the advice I think you have given the most # of times on this website - I admire your patience! Maybe you should make a headline on each page here so people can READ before posting the SAME question over and over again!! LOL!!!
Interestingly, the trend I am seeing here is that the istikhara seems to become suddenly important specially to the Indo-Pakistani muslims and that too when it is regarding marriage. I wonder why this cultural "attachment" to istikhara for just this reason...it is not used for anything else by this ethnic group (I am one of them in case people start getting angry at me)
Yeah no kidding. It's baffling how people just post the same question again and again, without even reading what has been written on the same page.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Lol! And whenever it's a marrying a cousin question, you automatically know that it's someone from Indo-Pak-Bang background (I can say this because I belong to that group). I think if people are asking the similar questions, which have been answered, then give them the links. There are other serious qquestions that are urgent to answer.
I would love if someone can answer this dilemma that I am facing. A position has been opened in my company which I would like to apply internally. Now, if I want to apply, I would have to take a signature from my department manager, and his signature will mean that my department is ready to release me should I get the job in another department.
I am new in my job (only 7 months old) and I am really having tough time in my current role. I believe that I am a misfit for this position and this is the reason I am contemplating a change. However, my fear is if I disclose my wish to my supervisor and my current department manager, they may take it negatively and may have doubt about my commitment, especially because I am still very new.
Personally, this job most of the time makes me suffer from extreme depression, but as I type such things, I feel guilty thinking that if I have expressed displeasure or have become impatient over the divine decree. On top of that, my family really need me to work on this position as the pay is super awesome.
Now, I have prayed istikhara each day of ramadan and have prayed it 7 times today. Personally I was strongly inclined to talk about this issue with my supervisor even before I started doing istikhara and this inclination is still there. However, I did not have the confidence to do so, especially because my mom is against it, and I still feel somewhat helpless.
Has my istikhara been correct since I had a strong inclination even before I started it?
PS. You can delete this post if you deem that I should submit it as a separate post.
Stranger, you know it should have been a separate post. But I'll give you my quick opinion. Apply for the new job. The money is good in your current position, but you are miserable. Is money worth your happiness and mental well being? Also, you are only speculating that your manager will interpret your desire to move negatively. Maybe he will understand. After all, it's not like you are quitting the company. Lastly, consider the benefits if you get the new job. You will be happier, doing work that you like, and therefore you will be more productive and probably get promoted sooner, Insha'Allah. Have courage, follow your heart, and apply for the job you like. Final point, if you get the new job, make sure you stay in it for a few years before even contemplating a move, otherwise you are right, they will think you lack commitment.
No continuing discussion on this please, if you need more advice then submit a separate post.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
I want to marry this guy whom i know since many years. We have been the best and worst of friends meaning we've had our ups and downs but we have stayed together. I kept it a secret from my parents initially because the guy was studying and we wanted that he gets independent when an official proposal from his family arrives. Now that I have taken my parents into confidence and an official proposal has come from his side, my parents are totally against it based on reasons of "caste and language and customs" etc (Please inform whether they are right in judging a man based on these insane reasons?).
(Remainder of comment deleted by Editor. Please log in and write your question as a separate post. Also, please read other posts on this website, as we have answered questions exactly like this one in the past. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)
where to log in from? what do u mean log in?
Salams troubled sister,
On the main page of the website, there is a column on the right hand side which say "Log in or Register".
Wasalam,
Muhammad1982.
Editor, IslamicAnswers.com
Asalam o alaikum brothers and sisters, please help me out on this matter!
I m doing istikhara for the past 2 days, i do it after Isha prayer but i dont sleep after that (i've heard that dreams are not necessary). So for the past 2 days my feelings are still the same, nothing seems unusual, no change in feelings, no sign or anything.
(Sumair, I deleted the rest of your question. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. Also see the links at the top of this website to read our articles about Istikhaara. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)
Asalamulaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatahu
Just a general question, it's said to do Istikhara for seven days if on the first day when istikhara is performed, an answer hasn't been reached.
Does the seven days of Istikhara need to be consecutive days? Or can they be any days, so long as seven are complete all together?
Jazak'Allah Khair in advance!
Walaikumsalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatahu
MrAhmed
By the way, I'm not sure of the authenticity of the above point made regarding an answer being reached, so please forgive me if I have indirectly repeated what many people have said regarding signs.
Jazak'Allah Khair
Asalaam, myself and a man that i would like to marry started reading istikara salah. after one night he got an answer but i did not. should i continue to read or can i take his answer as the right one.
also i havent been in the best state of mind recently to fully concentate on my istikara.
what should i do?
thank you in advance.
Wasalaam
asalamwalikum i did Istikhara for passing in exam but in dream i saw white small papers and grass and also money 18+9 rupees in my dream ( about this dream iam thinking that i going to pass i will get 18+9=27 marks
is that true )so please forgive me if I have indirectly repeated what many people have said regarding signs.
asalamwalikum i did Istikhara for passing in exam but in dream i saw white small papers and grass and also money 18+9 rupees in my dream ( about this dream iam thinking that i going to pass i will get 18+9=27 marks
is that true )so please forgive me if I have indirectly repeated what many people have said regarding signs.
Reply
Assalam alaykum, brothers and sisters I want to know if praying salat al istikhara is permissible for someone that wants to know if he should study sharia and eventually go on to be a alam or mufti or imam. The reason its so hard for me is because I have to study in saudi arabia, yet. I was born and raised in new jersey. This is indeed a huge step, so I want to know if this a valid reason to pray salat al istikhara?
Walakumsalaam Nabeeh
I don't see any reason why there would be anything wrong in praying istikhara for this reason.
When we pray istikhara, of course the choices we are seeking guidance for must be halaal which yours are. But I understand why you asking this question, for example: it would not make sense to do istikhara for guidance on 'should I perform hajj', as this is already fardh; but one could do istikhara regarding the group they choose to go with. So in context of your situation, it is not fardh to become an 'aalim/mufti', but it is halaal and certainly an excellent line to pursue.
It seems you have a great opportunity infront of you. May Allah make this path easy and a source of blessing for you.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Jaza'aki Allahu khair, I will keep you updated if you would like, and inshAllah will guide us all to the right path.
InshaAllah, that would be nice.
Ps, pls note, I am not qualified in fiqh, my answer to you regarding your istikhara was based on the understanding of what I have read.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
asalamwalikum i did Istikhara for passing in exam but in dream i saw white small papers and grass and also money 18+9 rupees in my dream ( about this dream iam thinking that i going to pass i will get 18+9=27 marks
is that true )so please forgive me if I have indirectly repeated what many people have said regarding signs.
Asiya, Walaykumsalaam,
We are not qualified to interpret dreams, and this is not the correct way to do or to interpret istikhara either. The best way to pass your exams is to do your studies, do your best in your exams and also make dua to Allah(swt).
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Asamualikum,
I hope that you can help me. I am a 36 year old female who is not yet married. Many things had happened that had prevented me from marrying. Otherwise, I am regarded as a catch, yet nothing seems to happen. I also had no feelings about settling down, so that was the initial problem, but when I suddenly realised that it was important.. I cannot find anyone suitable; it has been about 3 years now that I have been truly open to marriage. I have a strong belief in my faith and I have always conducted my self in an appropriate manner,
Anyway, I did istikhara last year as it seemed doomed that I would ever marry. However, I was a little shocked by what I saw.. I saw the name and image of a person I had a proposal for about 7 years ago. I saw him repeatedly over three nights. Even in one dream, I saw him say to me that he and I couldn't avoid each other as I was meant for him and he for me. I even tried to escape his path, but I got tired of arguing with him so I fell back and then I found my self falling into his arms. Once that happened, I suddenly felt security, love and warmth. I even saw my deceased father invite him for dinner in my dream.
The thing is, he apparently rejected me without even seeing me based on his sisters feedback that I was too short for him 5ft 2.. He was 5ft 10.
I was shocked as I had never been rejected and what was worse, he did it without seeing me. I was really shocked how a grown man could do that. Especially without meeting. In my dreams, his family ask for forgiveness too. Anyway, I find it highly implausible that we could be together, even if they did come back... And this proposal came 7 years ago! I heard that he was a decent human being, so I was a little drawn to him for that st the time, but it didn't work out. He is also still not married from people have said. I have recurring dreams about him and his family. Is it possible to see who you will marry or should marry? Even let's say that is the case, even when I didn't do istikhara, I still saw him... For many months. We have no connection so I really don't know what this all means. Please help.
I look forward to your reply.
Best wishes.
Naz, please log in and write your question as a separate post. My short answer to you would be that sometimes dreams don't have a deeper meaning. I have dreamed many times of particular women. However, if you are convinced that the dream is true, then work to make it true. Don't give up so easily. When Allah gives us something, He gives it in the form of guidance, or an opportunity, not a fait accompli.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
I am trying to register/log in, but I seem to be having problems. Thanks for your reply though. I will try again later, but where do you wish for me to post my question ?
Looking forward to your reply.
Many thanks.
Naz
By the way.. I don't know what to make of these dreams ... As I said, I have no connection with him/never met face to face so you can imagine how shocked I was. The one thing that only could mean anything if we were to examine it closely is that in all of these years, we are not married. Also, it's a bit pointless as I don't know anything much about him, if indeed it is Allah's will, it will happen anyway?
True sister, if it meant to happen it will happen. Just rely in Allah swt and make loads of dua. He knows what is best for you, so just put all your trust in him-he is Ar Rahmaan and Ar Raheem, you never know what he's got in store for you
.
Assalamualaikum.
I'm facing a great indecision.
(Please log in and write your question as a separate post - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)
I want to do istikhara to get guidance with my marriage. I am engaged, but I dont think he is good for me. I have made the decision to break the engagement. However, I want allah's guidance in this matter before I take any steps. However, the problem is that my parents wont allow me to do istikhara. Esha namaz happens early like at 6 pm, and I cant go to bed at that time, since isnt even so early. I did try to delay doing my eaha namaz, I thought of doing it later, and then I can do istikhara and go to bed. In one of ur articles it says that its best to sleep in abluton straight after doing istakhara. I would really like to do that, but I cant because of my parents.
So what should I do in this situation to get better guidance. Shall I ask an alim to do istikhara on my behalf, or shall I do istikhara myself, but rather than going to bed with ablution after istkhara, shall I just do istikhara after esha namaz, eat and watch tv and I will need to go to the toilet after drinking water, I wont be able to make ablution after it. I will try to go to bed as soon as I can, but these things will happen apparantly. Will this affect my istikhara? If it does, then what else can I do? my parents wont let me do iatikhara, if I make ablution just before bed time, they will ask why I did that, I can make an excuse for one
day, but 7 days I cant do. Plz can u urgently tell me how to get the guidance from allah in this situation?
Salam,
Thankyou for this article it has helped a lot and alhandollillah I felt good after praying.
I just wanted to let you know my situation and seek your advice.
(Remainder of comment has been deleted. Sara, please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)
hello i need help i love someone and want to marry him, i want to do istikhara to know if i will marry him or not. am not sure if this is allowed can anyone help me out please
Zara,
You should do istikhara yourself. Please see the information on this link for an explanation on Istikhara: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/salat-al-istikhara-the-guidance-prayer/
If you have any further question, please log in and submit as a separate post.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor