Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Istikhara in the Light of the Sunnah

Muslim woman praying

From Al-Inaam.com, website of Madrassah In'aamiyyah

PREFACE

All praises are due to Allah, the Creator, Nourisher and Sustainer of both the worlds. Through Allah's infinite mercy on mankind. He selected Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as a mentor and filled his heart with love and affection towards His creation. May Allah's choicest blessings and salutations be showered on His beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), who undertook great pains in fulfilling the task of conveying His message, and may Allah shower His blessings on the noble companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) whose hearts inherited the pain and burn for the guidance of humanity that was instilled in the heart of their beloved Master, the Leader of both the worlds.

INTRODUCTION

Whosoever adopts the way of life brought by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) to mankind, he will find that even his life in this world will become one of pleasure, tranquility, contentment, peace and freedom from all worries. Due to the fact that this way of life that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) brought was meant for the whole of mankind, Allah made it very easy and simple to follow.

CONFUSION AND PERPLEXITY

Among the many difficulties that man undergoes is 'confusion’ and 'perplexity’. Almost everyday in his life, man is faced with the task of making a decision between two or more choices. Generally the decisions are not major but occasionally they do become quite serious. Even in these circumstances, our beloved mentor, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) taught us what to do, and clearly outlined the solution. This solution is called Istikharah.

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."

Also, the Prophet (sws) said: "It is from the happiness of the son of Adam to practice Istikharah and be pleased with what Allah has ordained for him. And it is from the misery of the son of Adam to drop the Istikhaarah of Allah and be displeased at Allah's decrees." (Sunan at-Tirmidhee, hasan)

'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 behoove 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.

THE REALITY OF ISTIKHARAH

Moulana Badr-e-"alam Mirthi (RA), the former Shaikhul Hadith of the famous Darul Ulum of Dabhel, India, writes in his footnotes of the popular commentary of Bukhari - Faidul Bari, by Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmiri (RA) regarding the reality of Istikharah. He states: "... in other words, it is sometimes misunderstood from the statements of 'Ulama that it is promised in the Hadith of Istikharah that the heart of a person who performs Istikharah will incline towards one option, whereas many a time the person who performs Istikharah does not perceive such an inclination. In that case, what, then, will be the meaning of the Hadith. This was an ambiguity for which I could find no explanation."

Moulana continues: "Until one day, whilst sitting in the presence of the great 'Mufassir', 'Muhaddith and Allamah of his era, Moulana Shabbir Ahmed Uthmani (RA). I noticed oceans of knowledge gushing forth from him to the "Ulama who were sitting in his noble company. This was his practice after every Jumu'ah. On that day, he was discussing this very mas'alah (matter) and elaborated on it in much detail. It was here that I quenched my thirst, and found a remedy for my malady, and a healing for my heart... He explained that the Hadith of Istikharah does not contain anything pertaining to the inclination or satisfaction of the heart. Had it been such, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would have taught us, in the du'a, to ask Allah to incline the heart towards the most appropriate decision, whereas the Hadith does not say that. The du'a only contains this much, that Allah He should protect him from harm, and He should determine a good fate for him, whatever it may be. And the words (of the du'a): "wa srif anniy" “and turn me away from it" refers to the situation when the heart desires and inclines towards it. (This means that when the heart is desirous to go ahead with the matter regarding which Istikharah is being made, then Allah should turn the heart away from it by removing this desire and inclination from the heart). And the words: “fas rif anniy" "And turn it away from me" is when that inclination is not found, (then Allah should save him from being forced into it.)

Therefore 'protection’ and 'predestination’, both are the doings of the Almighty, as He alone does as He wills. As far as the slave of Allah is concerned, his responsibility is to make du'a, and then proceed in the direction of his choice, as that will be best for him. This means that he will be granted the 'towfiq' (ability) for the best only, and only the best will be made easy for him. Thus Istikharah is an 'amal' (act) that helps to determine the best for a person.

"In essence, once the 'Mustakhir' (i.e. the person who performs the 'amal' of 'Istikharah’) submits himself before Allah, hands his matter over to Allah, asks Him for strength, becomes satisfied with His choice, and begs Him for protection from evil and harm, and to grant him good, Allah accepts it from him, destines good for him, protects him from harm and keeps him in His care. After that, whatever direction he takes, will be for his betterment, even though his heart may be disinclined to it."

Allamah Murtada Zabidi RA states in his famous commentary on "Ihya Ulum: "Shaikhul Akbar (i-e.' Allamah ibnul' Arabi) stated: "... And he should recite the narrated du’a after making salam. This should be done before every important task he wishes to carry out or fulfil. He should then proceed with his task. Hence, if there is good for him in it, Allah will ease the way for him until it is accomplished, and its result will be praiseworthy. However, if the means were not available, and he was unable to accomplish his goal, he should realize that Allah had preferred this for him, and thus should not complain about it, as the outcome, whether it was that he accomplished his pursuit or not, will soon turn out to be praiseworthy."

Hadrat Muhaddith Fadlullah Jilani (RA) says in his commentary on "Al Adabul Mufrad" of Imam Bukhari (RA): "Shaikh Zamlakani RA said: "When a person performs the two raka'at of Istikharah, he should then carry out whatever occurs to him, whether his heart is contented with it or not." He also said: "The Hadith (of Istikharah) does not contain any limitation regarding the complacency and contentment of the heart."

Shaikh Jilani also says regarding this complacency of the heart: "This happens by the grace of Allah, and is not necessary, nor does it always occur. Similarly, Salatul Istikharah is mustahabb, even if he has already made a firm decision before performing the Salah, as has already been mentioned that Istikharah is not a means of discovering the ‘ghaib'(unseen), but rather is a humble supplication unto the Knower of the unseen, the Most Powerful, to bestow the best."

173 Responses »

  1. Dear sir,

    i want to know through istikhara,

    i want to go dubai for doing my own business of net cafe is it posibal.
    and i want to know my wife deliver me a baby in first month of 2011 26 date can i know this is boy or girl

    thanks if i get the answer of these quastion

    • Waheed, you should pray Istikhara about opening a business in Dubai. Then trust in Allah to guide you to the best choice. About the baby, an ultrasound should be able to tell you if the baby is male or female.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • As salaamu wa alaikum.

        I am married from last 6 years. But still not have a child can u tell me is there something wrong
        with me or my wife.Can u do Istikhara for me as i get answer about solving the problem.please!

        Wasim

        • Wa Alaikum as Salam,

          Brother, Istikhaarah has to be done by yourself for something you are going to begin. The matter you speak about requires medical checkup and duas, and drinking zam zam, etc. Istikhaarah is not applicable here. Wallahu A'lam.

          Abu Abdul Bari
          IslamicAnswers.com Editor

        • Brother make istighfar ( astaghfirullah ) you and your wife and you will have ababy inshallah

        • Dear brother.

          All praises and worship is for Allah(SWT). May He Most merciful and Beneficent exalt and bless Muhammed(SAW) his family, companions and all Muslim's.

          Istikhara is a sunnah prayer with the intention of seeking guidance Allah(SWT) knower of both visible and invisible, on matters of personal decision which the person can not know forthwith if it will good for him or bad if he/she pursue or abandon. It is handing over your case to One All knowing All Powerful Most merciful One Lord and accept unconditionally the outcome .

          In your case sincere prayers and supplications to Almighty Most Merciful Lord of all creations with utmost patience and trust is the solution to your problem and in Sha Allah your prayers and supplication will be answered by Him Who create, produce, reproduce and dispose whatsoever He wills and He is Most Merciful Relenting Lord for His bondsmen.

          Read Quran, pray and supplicate by constantly reading duas In Surah Imran and Baqarah.

          May Allah(SAW) Bestower and owner of all bounties and power bless you with obedient believing Children.

      • lol... Ultrasound! Thats good. I was just reading about Istikhara and I just had to comment/lol on that. Thats just funny in a goodway. 🙂

        SisterZahriya

      • ASSALAMU ALAIKUM
        My health was not good since last 3 months( when I am pregnant 6 month ) now l am 9 month pregnant many medical treatment but no improvement in my health. Previous istikhara answer is (wakt ki aazmaish )

  2. Dear sir,

    I was in a relationship with a guy for one year we both are divorced and last month he told me he does not feel for me any more and its over. He still calls me at times. I miss and love him and I want to be with him. I feel confused that should I pray to Allah that he gives him back to me and we get married as I feel a little hope or shall I just move on.
    Can I perform Salat al istikhara to know if i should pray and hope him to come back or just accept it as will of Allah that he will never come back?
    I am asking this should I pray for him to come back or not as it is said that dua can grant your prayers and can change the fate.
    Thanks

  3. Assalmu alikum warahmathallahi wabarakathuhu,

    I want to know whether there is a specific time of the day istikhara
    can be done. I was told by my mum that
    it should be performed 30 mins after fajr prayer.
    It would of great help if you could clarify this.

    Jazakhalla Khair.

    • SLMuslimah, please read some of our articles on Istikhara, they give all the details about this salat. See the links at the top of the page.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  4. dear wael
    thanks for your comment. i want to clear i donot want to go back to my ex husband. im talking abt a guy u met after my divorce. can u advise.
    thanks

  5. Assalamu alaikum.

    I would be really Thankful to any one who could just interpret the below dream of mine...
    May Allah Subhan O talas mercy and Grace be upon any one who seeks his guidance...

    Dear Islamic Sister Or Islamic Brother...

    I got a proposal for marriage from a pakistani Muslim and religious guy,whom i have known since an year...we havent met but we know eachother well thru some forum and gruops and chat... well am an indian(asian girl). I found him decent and as he wanted to talk to my father i make him meet my brother...
    The guy approched my brother and discussed his status and every thing regarding the marriage with me,
    My brother informed me of the guy to be honest and Religious and straight forward guy who had told my brother every thing he is openly without hiding any truths regarding his Odd jobs there, his salary etc etc,
    My brother then informed me of this face that the guy is a genuine person but due to some Visa Isues and other circumstances my brother is in dilemma whether to accpet his proposal or not..so he suggested me to perform Salatul Istekhara...
    I performed Salah tul isteqarah for continous seven days....
    I started it on tuesday morning 30mins after fajr prayer, having full faith in Allah subahn o tala Wish and his mercy to mend my heart where there is his will and my goodwill...
    I had none dreams and those i got were just vague...
    On third day that is thursday afternoon may b at 3 O clock i had a dream that i was walking with some known person not visible just felt the presence of me n person but cant b seen in the huge known market that was stocked with enormous White n beautiful dresses(shalwar kameez)...Every where in every shop it was white...and peaceful...
    then when i woke up i felt it was a good dream coz as iread that white colour and green colour indicates the positivity..but then again i read that colour doesnt matter..ur heart and feelings matter...
    So i decided that i shud continue till my heart is content to atleast 7 days...so at the end of seventh day i got a dream at 10 am that i saw a black colour cloth like hijaab cloth and some person stole it from me..and I was asking and searching for my hijaab(abaya) and i was appealing that i was mine...but suddenly i woke up and i forgot all the exact dream which i had...because in that dream i was wearing a really beautiful outfit and every one was praising me( like i luked gud )in the dream...

    So now am totally confused what to do..perform Salah again or just listen to what my heart says...
    As My heart says strongly that he is alhumdulilah a nice religious guy who knows how to respect women and follows the religion..other things really do matter but i think if i had to choose between money and religion i would probably go for religion..money will follow...
    PLease do respond to my humble request as soon as possible...
    Regards..
    Assalamu Aaliakum warahmat Ullah...
    Fi Amaan Illah...

    • Walaykum as salam, Sarah,

      Please check Wael´s comment on this post: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/giving-up-due-negative-istikhara/

      Barak Allah Fik.

      María
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • What if your wet in the morning while the first day of istakhara and your not sure about the dreams , but your heart is still saying the same thing as before ?

      • Salaams,

        Being wet in the morning after praying istikhara has nothing to do with anything. And like what's been said before, istikhara is not all about dreams either. If you have asked Allah to make the way forward easy for you that is best for you, then go forward with your best intentions.

        -Amy
        IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  6. Asalamo Alaekum.

    Apart from the istikhara salat, is there any significance of the following istikhara dua's from sunnah? We know that dream has got nothing to do with an answer to our questions. But i've found some istikhara dua's in authentic books where it is indicated that one will get to know the good or bad in his/her dream. My question is why "dream" when it is not being told or taught to us by our beloved Prophet SAW?

    The following istikhara's;

    1. Before going to bed, performing ablution, pure clothes & bed.. reciting 3 times durood shareef then 1 time Surah al fateha & 11 times Surah ikhlas.. then again 3 times durood shareef. (Doing this 3 or 7 nights till one sees a dream?)

    2. Before going to bed;

    Durood: Salallaho ta'ala ala habibihi Muhammadeo Wa ala alihi wasalem. (once)

    ifta afta ya badial ajaebi bil khaeri ya badeo. (21 times)

    Durood: Salallaho ta'ala ala habibihi Muhammadeo Wa ala alihi wasalem. (once)

    3 or 7 days till one sees a dream?

    Now my question is that you do reach some conclusion by the above 2 dream istikhara's but what is the importance & authenticity of these 2 isikhara's in the light of hadith & sunah?

    From the most authentic salat istikhara method you don't get an immediate answer or conclusion.. i know that too only because of our lack of knowledge & inability to perform istikhara properly. I've done this one plenty of times while leaving all of the things to move in their own rhythm instead of my vain desires.. This way, In the end again i get 4-5 options instead of 1.. & confusion remains.. OR my answer should be interpreted by the option that is MOST CLOSE TO ISLAM? For example, I have 5 options for choosing a spouse.. 4 of them dont wear hijab.. have been brought up in co-educational schools while 1 is a hafiza.. wears a scarf.. has no record of being with other boys or friends.. So should I understand that the hafiza girl is the answer to my question/istikhara?

    OR should i send proposals to all of them? While leaving things to happen the way they're meant to happen?

    It is weird that the girl that i saw in my "dream" isikharas quite a number of times.. me being with her although i don't talk or see her anymore.. That girl, i feel does have an inclination for me & i know that their family will accept proposal frm my side but i discover things later on that are not good.. for instance she having a picture with another guy on twitter? OR belonging to a shia family perhaps? Why would Allah indicate me such sort of a girl through a dream istikhara?

    Please let me hear from you on this..

    Jazak Allah.

    • Thanku sooooo much for the wonderful knowledge.... i was v much worried coz of some dreams bt the situation was dat i had to accept dat proposal even after those dreams... bt after reading all this, am satisfied to a greater extent. may ALLAH bless u.

  7. What is this judgement day 21st May add doing on this website???

  8. Hi guys,

    Hmm i dont know where to start..well i am somebody !

    Im stuck in a situation where i dont know what to do..I really want someone to tell me some logical stuff and guide me before i get myself in a unwanted situation. I dont want to ruin my life and so i am scared but love him at the same time..

    • 'No Promise', Asalaamualaykum,

      I have not published your full message because you need to log in submit your question as a separate post.

      From having read your question, I will give you a quick few words for now. Someone who smokes weed, goes clubbing and is a ladies man are definitely not great past times for a marriage potential. If he says he has stopped clubbing because he loves you, this is not a satisfactory answer. What happens when you and he fight? He'll go back and do the same old things again. If we change, it should be because we want to become closer to Allah(swt). Yes we should give people a second chance, but lets not be blind or simply 'play stupid' about whats infront of us. The criteria for assessing if someone's change is genuine is simple - it should be based on fear and love of Allah. Ultimately, a good marriage potential is one who is God fearing.

      If you need detailed advice, please write in with a new post.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Please log in and write your question as a separate post, and give us some details, so we can advise you Insha'Allah.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  9. I would to merry my syster with my friend but I know he is farnicator(zanakar) & he leave this bed habit by this achtion. please reply

  10. Hi I have a question that is making me loose faith in islam. 2 years ago I had good faith I.

    (Remainder of question deleted by Editor)

    • Dear Farah, Asalaamualaykum,

      I am sorry that you are going through a difficult time and I would like to offer you some advice and words or comfort. But due to a long queue of pending questions, I must ask you to log in and submit your question as a separate post.

      I look forward to receiving your post.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  11. i have been wondering for a long time now, when it comes to istikhara should we let an imam or someone religious perform it for us? or like we should do it ourselves?

  12. Greetings, i had a question can muslim men be married to a non muslim woman have children but becaus of culture and tradition he has also married a muslim woman, who he does not care for and spend most of his time with me i have been with him since i was 17, that being said was 15 years i have devoted to my relationship with him as i love him very much and my children do too, i have never talked to this woman but we know of each other we live on the same street just a couiple blocks away i would like to call her and tell her because i cannot live with the lies anymore i know Allah is all forgiving it is not her fault but his for being a coward and not facing his family i am planning on converting just to have peace with my self and the almighty. It has been a long time he has only been with her for 9 years but she does not go in public with him only i do , he spends 99 percent of his time with us unless his father or family are in town then he must go and act like he is doing right , what do i do , i need guidance

  13. Assalamu Walaikum Wa Rehmadullahi Wa Barkatahu,

    Is eating meat in Our Islam only for the sake of tasting it is Halal?

    Wating for Your reply...

    Allah Hafiz...

    • Usman, I don't understand your question, and it has nothing to do with the subject of this post, which is Istikhara. Please log in and write your question in a separate post, and give more details so I can understand what you are asking.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  14. plz do istahara for me.. i want it for my marriage.. coz i want to be marry with my love.. will this be possible plzz plzz help me

  15. Assalam-0-alaikom..

    I have been in relationship with a guy for 7 years. Now we have put the matters in front of our families. His father did istakhara but didn't find anything in it. I also did istakhara 2 times and I found green head covering cloth in it. I have been told that green is the color of harvest and prosperity but my to-be-father-in-law is saying that green is the color of poison and a bad sign. Can you please refer some book or patent Hadith regarding green color.

    JazakAllah

    • Maham, the Istikhara prayer is not about dreams or colors in dreams. Please read the articles on this website - such as this very one that you commented on - to understand Salat-al-Istikhara properly.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswer.com Editor

      • Salam brother,

        I need some help understanding something. I prayed ishtikara prayer without any proposal or anything just for curiosity sake and about a few months later ivebeen having dreams and these dreams tell me something about the future i suppose and i do not understand because i know it is haram but i was so scared about something dangerous happening if i do not understand the answer to my ishtikara properly so i went to a psychic and they told me almost exactly what ive been having dreams about the past few months. I understand that it is haram but i am just so confused right now as to why i can see dreams expressing something of my future. I hope that you can advise me on what to do because theses dreams are EXTREMELY CLEAR and it can not possibly be any more clearer as to what is going to happen. I also feel guilty for going to a psychic and i keep trying to repent but i have went to a psychic again and i feeel so guilty because overthe last year i have felt closer to Allah swt because of my faith and iman and now i feel like i dont deserve to be forgiven by i still ask for forgiveness and i cant seem to break my habit of going to a fortune teller/psychic.

    • Green is a Good colour, and the sign of harvest & prosperity too...

      And if I`m not wrong our Islamic Flag also having Green colour...

      Think positive Sister...

      Take Care...

      ALLAH HAFIZ...

  16. I want to know one thing.
    I am on the verge of getting married. I get proposals every now & then. But they scare me as some are not compatible, some indulge in black magic, some indulge in smoking & drinking etc. I have followed a few 'Amals', but things are just not working out. I just dont want to get married for the name sake. I want to be happy & keep my partner happy.
    Do you have any dua which can help me with this problem of mine.

    • People are looking for duas to live a happy married life. O innocent girl only duas are not going to work. For a happy married life one has to give a lot of sacrifices , after that only thia relation can bring happiness to the couple. It may here be noted that only girl or only boy is not supposed to do any thing it should be joint an effort. At times it happens that one fails and he or she might fails at that specific moment the other partner should understand and should standby with your partner. Anyways best of luck for your 2nd time.

  17. Assalam-o-Alaikum,

    (Aamir, I deleted your question. There is nothing wrong with your question, but you need to register and write your question as a separate post, and we will answer it in turn Insha'Allah. - Wael, IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  18. Dear Sir
    i have great confusion regarding my visit to America for doing course. My family asked ,e to take kids and my husband along i don't know whether i will get their visas or not .or even this trip will be good for me or not.

    • Work out your pros and cons and make a choice together with your husband. Then do istikhara.

      If you wish for more specific advice, please log in and submit your question as a separate post making sure to add more detail.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  19. Dear
    Assalam-o-aliqum,

    I would like to know that i have done an istekhar for my self in the purpose of getting married to a girl of my choice. Both are families know each other very well and even they agree upon it but due to some reasons am bit confused, as the girl's parents has done istekhara and said that the answer is YES and we have done istekhara from two different people and the answer is NO, where as i my self has done it, but could not understand the situation hence i would like to take a second opinion. The dream what i saw was - blue color sky with white cloud with boy & girl (no faces descriptions). The second time i did and saw was - a decorated henna along with my family members.
    So, can it happen that some one do it and the answer can be YES where as another does it and the answer turns out to be NO and what is the meaning of these dreams that i have seen after doing the istekhara..... Please guide me and will be waiting for your reply.

    Thanks & Regards,

    • Rayyan

      What are you are describing is not Istikhara. It is a confused 'indo subcontinent' misconception of istikhara.

      Istikhara is a prayer that you make to ask Allah(swt) to put blessings in your chosen path in this life and the next; after you have used your God given tools of wisdom to make an informed decision. And istikhara is done by the people making the choice, not by some random Imam or relative. Please see the information on this link: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/salat-al-istikhara-the-guidance-prayer/

      If you have questions other than what has already been explain here and in the article, please submit it as a separate post. Thank you.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  20. Salaams,

    I did Istikara in relation to the marriage of somebody I am already engaged too. I had 2 dreams that I do not understand the meaning too.

    In the first dream, I was wearing a red wedding suit (lengha) but it was not my wedding / no wedding was taking place. The suit was beautiful. I was happy in the dream when I woke up in the middle of the night.

    The second dream later that night was of another man whom I wanted to marry a few years ago but his family did not agree to the marriage. In this dream, this man told me that his health had been ruined after he rejected the proposal. It was an uncomfortable dream and a story long forgotten. Was this relevant to my Istikara?

    I have heard many people saying red is a negative sign but I have not read this from a reliable source, can you please help? Was my Istikara giving a positive or negative sign? Ignore my second dream if it is not relevant to my Istikara.

    Thank you and hope you can please help me.

    • Tayabba,

      We are not qualified to interpret dreams here. Furthermore, it seems that your understanding of istikhara is incorrect as it is not all about having dreams, rather more about using your God given tools of wisdom. Please read the articles provided on istikhara.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  21. Sa i have been married yo my husband fir 14 years, hev cheated on me 7 years ago

    (I deleted the rest of your comment. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  22. asswalikum, i have a question

    (Soumaya, please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  23. Sallams,
    Brothe i want to isstikhara. for my third marriage actually i got 2 married before but i got divorced for some reason now before 1 year i got again married to man who is working in saudi arabia plz it will be very kind of you if do isstkhara bcoz now my husband as not calles me from 3 months and he as not send a money for my living
    Allah Hafiz plz reply me soon on my e mail

    • Wa Alaikum as Salam,

      Sister Reshma,

      No one can do Istikhaarah on your behalf. It is against the concept of Istikhaarah in itself.

      Additionally, when you have got married, what is the need of doing Istikhaarah for it? Istikhaarah has to be done before acting on a particular option. It is used for decision-making rather than validation of a decision.

      Well, if you think we can help you in addressing your issues in any other way, you are welcome to post your questions in a separate post after you login.

      Muhammad Waseem
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  24. I know this page is not about dreams, but I really need some one to help me know all these,.. can some one please help me?
    Thank u

  25. Asalamu alaykom, i performed salat al istikhara on someone i had feelings for because another girl came in the picture and it hurt me. And i asked allah to know if he was the right one (not in those exact words) and i totally lost feelings for him just after i prayed it, and i didnt feel hurt anymore or love for him.
    But the problem now is that i told him i performed the prayer and he was upset and i said we could be friends.

    So my question is, is it possible to be friends with him still? Would my feelings return? And by being friemds would it be going against the purpose of doing salat al istikhara?

    Thank you and advice would be great help 🙂
    Salaam

    • Suzanne, there's no benefit in "being friends" with a man you were previously considering for marriage and who has shown himself not to be trustworthy. It's best to end your relationship with him altogether.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Thanks wael for the quick reply.
        But its not that he is not trust worthy, he let me know first thing. But the fact that he let someone approach him is what got to me. Subhanallah how i feel right now after the prayer, i am amazed and thankful alhamdulillah but thats why i asked is it possible to be friends? Or would my feelings just grow again?

        If you could please answer my previous question, much appreciated
        Salaam 🙂

  26. Hi i am going through a very tough time.

    • Sister aisha, I'm sorry to hear that you are having difficulties. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, and we will answer you in turn Insha'Allah.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  27. sirr please help me can you do istakhara for me or tell me the right way of it actually i really want to do fsc eng but every1 says me not to do you cannot get admission in bsc so i want to know can istakhara be done to know what is best
    plz reply

    • junaid, you should pray Istikhara for yourself. Read the article (and check other links at the top of the page) to learn how to pray Istikhara properly.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  28. I performed the prayer on a man that proposed but in my dream I saw the face of another man (also in my life) ...what does it mean??! I'm very confused!!

  29. could you please confirm me that someone can do istikhara on behalf of me or i have to do it my own. Becoz there many TV CHANNELS which are providing the istikhara service nd if we call them then within few min they will let you knw abt the result.

    • Furqan, what these TV channels are doing is nonsense. They are not even doing Istikhara, rather they are doing shirk numerology and astrology. There is nothing in it but misguidance. Pray Istikhara for yourself and do it according to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sws).

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  30. I really need help my situation is very complex ,i belong to a agakhani community my parents asked me to meet a guy for marriage we talked for months during which i told him i read namaz and follow islam to which he agreed though his belief system is diff from me ,i kept on doing istakhara i saw im geting engaged and married to him ,surprising the day i saw this dream he told me he knows that i saw a dream related to us.aneways i had istakhara done from several imams and maulvies too and it all came out positive.

    The problem is difference of faith i follow islam he has a diff set of beliefs,but istakhara everywhere came out positive in my dream personally i did not see its positive or negative i just saw i am getting married to him.

    Please help me out what should i do?

    • Amna, he is not lawful for you for marriage, as his community are not considered Muslims. As you said, he has different beliefs and practices. It would not be good for you as a Muslim believer to marry him.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Dear Amna,

        please dont take my response as any kind of attack on you or your sect. i am just telling you what i know.

        you havent stated which sect of islam he belongs to . you are aghakhani(ismailly) sect. most other sect specially sunni will not marry in aghakhani community as to many they are considered very deviant to islam.

        to my understanding Ismailly ( aghakhani community) are considerate deviants to islam because they consider Sir Agha Khan ( the leader of the community) as someone they can pray to and acts which are very similar to worshiping God. they keep a photo of his in their house or workdesk as if its going to bring blessings or he can bless people. this is ofcourse against ISlamic believes.

        I wonder why your parents introduced to someone who was not aghakhani as your community is very particular about it.

        however if you yurself think that you are following Islam the way it is, i.e prince kareem Agha Khan is only another human being and has no connotation of prophecy attached to him , there is only one God and Prophet Mohammed is the last messenger of Allah then on your own may be you can consider marriage outside your own community.

        if you decide to marry outside aghakhani community to make your belif in Islam Stronger and purer than please consider someone who is also more stronger in faith and you both can help each other follow Islam the way it is.

        • I am an agakhani myself but i follow islam ,i know most guys wont marry a sgakhani girl so i had to choose someone from my own community who is allowing me to practice islam.but i dont understand if it is not lawful then y did istakhara everywhere came out positive?

          • Dear Amna,

            if you are trying to follow islam then marry someone who is following islam, marrying another aghakhani who is not following either will not help you or your children follow any faith in its totality.

            I knew someone who was follwing islam but aghakhani but the guy she was seeing was sunni and they did get married after a lot of opposition. she did not make her true islamic beleives very public like offering prayers etc in front of her parents or aghakhani friend. I guess it was wise to do it this way to avaiod any uneccseary confrontation.

            regarding Istikhara, please Amna make it clear in your mind that Istikhara is not about dream or feeling. its about taking steps to the best of your wisdom and understanding in one direction and if it doesnt work out or you start getting doubts is actually where Allah is helping you with the decision. trying to move you to a direction despite you feeling moving opposite to it.

            Ima not saying that marrying this guy will be wrong, i just think marrying someone who is not carrying the same beleives as yours will ceate problems later on. as the two families will be predominantly following aghakhani faith.

            Amna ,as another girl who is single and been through phases of being introduced to potential suiters, with doing istikhara all the time and having really positive feeling about it then suddenly things didnt work out or really unknown reason. i have been through many disappointments myself but retrospectively it was all for good. just pay real good attention to the wordings of istikhara.

            ' Oh Allah you know and I dont. if itis good for me make it easy for me , if its not than take it away for me and me away from it and replace with something which is better and make me be pleased with it'

            may be ask this suiter what his views are about religion not just his veiws about you offering namaz.

            Amna, sometimes we think something is good for us but its not and sometimes we think its bad but its not. Allah knows and we dont. this is what Allah says to us in Quran when we ffel disappointed over something.

            DONT get istikhara by any maulvies etc , it is wrong practice , very prevelant one. you need Allah's help , so ask for help yourself.

            All the best. May Allah help you get your faith stronger and purer.

      • Dear Brother Wael,
        salam,

        to my knowledge 'Agha-Khani community / Ismaili community believes are different to Ahle-sunna wal-Jammat.

        • Yes they are differemt ,but i personally dont practice those shirky acts.

          • I wanna marry this guy but my mom did a istakhara by aalim and istakhara came out negative and I told the guy istakhara came out negative I'm so confuse because he said if we still marry something gonna bad happen in our feature but we both r still wanna get marry but we don't know what we should do please help me.

          • Princess, pray Istikhara yourself and then do what you feel is right. Did you read the article that you are commenting on?

            Wael
            IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  31. Aoa.
    I've been confused about going to medical or engineering. I asked my father to do istakhara (he wanted me to go to medical). On second day, he got positive dream about medical.
    I actually never wanted to go in medical so I asked him to do the istakhara for engineering now but he won't agree.
    What must be done, please help me. I don't want to go in medical because I love doing engineering and I'm good in math and Bio both

    JazakAllah

    • If you love engineering and never wanted to go to medical school, then why do you say you've been confused between the two, and why did you ask your father to pray Istikhara over the matter? Why didn't you just go to engineering? Well, what's done is done. Just tell your father firmly that you choose engineering, and Insha'Allah he will accept your choice.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • AOA
        Thanks for your reply.
        As I've told you before, my father and my whole family is against engineering but i was in favor. Now that the dream has given positive about Medical, does is mean that doing engineering would be a great loss and disobedience of Allah?
        Awaiting response ...

  32. Asalamalekum, i want astakhara for my exam i want to clear the fcps part 1 exam bt icant bc im a mother of 2 children so icant concentrate my studies even i cant memorize any thing

    • Assalaamualaikam

      If you are feeling discouraged in your studies, it might help to go on a revision course or sign up to a revision website. Doing exams as well as working and fulfilling family commitments can be very stressful, but with help and support from your family, it is manageable, inshaAllah.

      Istikhara isn't a ritual or spell to guarantee success; it is a prayer in which we ask Allah to guide us to that which is good for us and keep us from things which would be harmful to us in this life or the next. If you look at the information available on this website, inshaAllah that may help increase your understanding of istikhara.

      Midnightmoon
      IslamicAnswers.com editor

  33. i want to ask an qustion is there anyone who guide me?

    i am in relationship with a guy since 5 years bt since from last year am in a big trouble he asked me to left studies due to some issues, i was ready to do it bt my parents n his family did't allowed me at all i am so fair n loyal to hm i loved n love him alot , bt he left me n then come back jst to be a good friend of mine daily he treated me like a stranger person daily i hurt-ed alot bt i have no option except to stay in his life by being a friend i really want him as a my life patner i pray alot to My Allah bt feeling hopeless nothing going to okey don't no wt to do bt am so helpless plz guide me can i do istikhara for getting him back cz i don't want to do anything which islam n Allah Almighty does't allow 🙁 plz guide me

    • Salaams,

      Istikhara is not a dua to have a wish fulfilled -as you were asking for a way to 'get him back'. Istikhara is a dua to determine which path Allah knows is best for you. Just on a cursory evaluation of what you're saying- if he's being cold to you, and neither your parents or his parents are supportive of a relationship between you two, then chances are that this just isn't meant for you and you need to leave it alone. Making istikhara can clarify that more for you, but in the end you have to be willing to walk away if that's what everything indicates.

      -Amy
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  34. How valid is a Quranic Istikhara (like getting out Fal from Quran) ?

    • Engadnan, there is no Quranic Istikhara in Islam. The only Istikhara is the one you read on this forum. What is fal?

      • Does Dreams in Istikhara have some significance?

        • No. When you do Istikhara, you seek Allah for guidance in what is best for you. If the thing is best for you, Allah will make it happen, InshaAllah. If the thing is bad for you, He will never make it happen, InshaAllah.

          So just do the Istikhara and then rely on Allah. Whenever you feel in your heart to proceed with the thing, just do it.

  35. Then why very religious scholars and religious books refers to Green, Red, White and other Colors ?

    Why Food, Animals (Snakes, Rabbits, Pigeons, etc) are being associated with all this.

    • In fact, this is the first time I am hearing this. Istikhara in the way the Prophet (s.a.w.s) taught us, has nothing to do with all the things you mentioned.They have no basis in Quran and Sunnah. So if you really want guidance in the light of Sunnah, then follow the real Istikharah as mentioned in the hadith.

      "The procedure for this Salah, is best described by the hadith:

      On the authority of Jaabir Ibn ˜Abdullah he said: The Prophet (S) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur'an. He (S) would say "if any of you intends to undertake a mater then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak'ah naafilah) of prayer and after which he should supplicate:

      'O Allaah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favour, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allaah, if You know this affair -and here he mentions his need- to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it , and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.'"

      http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/salat-al-istikhara-the-guidance-prayer/power-of-salat-ul-istikhara/

  36. Dear Brother

    Thank you. Do look at this http://www.ahadees.com/dua-view-d87.html

    If you can read Urdu, you will see the color thing quoted by Religious Scholars

    • AsSalaamu Alaikum,

      The matter of Istikhara, isn’t something that any Religious Scholar can just talk about in any way beyond what the Sunnah teaches us. If any Scholar does that, we must reject what he says, and then follow the guidance in the authentic hadith reported in Sahih Bukhari (as given above).

      You may also wait for your complete question to be posted, and then you will be answered, InsahAllah. I am sure there are other brothers and sisters on this site, who can read and understand Urdu. They might help you too, InshaAllah.

  37. (Fiona, I removed your comment. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, and we will advise you in turn, Insha'Allah. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  38. (Editor's note: please log in and write your question as a separate post, and we will publish it in turn, Insha'Allah).

  39. Asalam-o-Alekum Respected Sir/Madam, i've done Istakhara because i like a guy who wants to marry me so will he be a better husband for me in future too so i want to know the meaning of my dream which i've seen on the first night of Istakhara and the dream was there's a sky full of white clouds and under the sky there's a huge river full of sky blue coloured water....

    • Salaams,

      We do not interpret dreams on this site. This article should give all the information you need about istikhara, in shaa Allah.

      -Amy
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  40. I want to know abt my son. Its his second marriage and I want to make sure does it work out this time. Is this girl hood enough for him.

    • Assalaamualaikam

      Please see my reply on the other post you commented on - if you need additional information or advice, please submit a new post for publication rather than commenting on an existing one.

      Midnightmoon
      IslamicAnswers.com editor

  41. Salams

    I just have a question...

    [Editor's note: Please submit your question as a new post for publication rather than as a comment on an existing post - that way it can be published and answered in turn, inshaAllah. If you want to learn more about istikhara, try looking at the information available on this site to see if that answers some of your queries.]

  42. nowadays i am jobless from last eight months, i have applied for different posts. is there near chance of my service.
    kindly through islamic point of view if it is correct kindly inform me.
    hanif ur rahman

    • Hanif, Allah knows best. We cannot predict the future. Make dua' to Allah every day and keep on applying. Be very persistent and do not give. Allah will make a way for you, Insha'Allah.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  43. A salaam I alaikum I did the first night of istikhara namaz then went to sleep I dreamt there were three of me wearing three colors white green and red the one that was wearing red was in the middle I couldn't finish my dream I woke up at three to go to the toilet then just waited to read fair and the went to sleep do I have to carry on reading istikhara? I did it to see whether getting marrid to this person was the right decision I also saw green grass in the background what could this mean? Am I the bad person in red?

    • Salaams,

      If you do not feel the outcome of your istikhara is clear, then make it again. It's not based on dreams. If you feel marring this person is right for you after making istikhara, then go forward with confidence. If you have doubts, let the opportunity go.

      -Amy
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  44. salam...

    [Editor's note: Please submit your question as a new post for publication rather than as a comment on an existing post. That way it can be published and answered in turn, inshaAllah.]

  45. hello.i want to marry...

    [Editor's note: Please submit your question as a new post for publication rather than as a comment on an existing post. That way it can be published and answered in turn, inshaAllah. Also, istikhara isn't based on names - please read the relevant section of the website.]

  46. I am really confused. I have been searching for a girl. I found one, but when got istikhara from two of the noble and religious persons, it came very bad. Both exactly described it and forbid me to marry her. I am also in love with a girl in my relatives. However, some people have told me about her habits and her attitudes. Also she possesses not a good character as per my some relatives and she is in contacts with other boys. Plz tell me, when I did istikhara for this girl it was very good as one good religious person told me. I also got istkihara from other persons and have obtained it from 6 places. All have confirmed that She is good for me and our life would be good.
    Now, I am unable to decide. What to do...I have not much time. I am professional, good job, good looking but still not finding good match. The girl I like has not good fame but her istikhara is good. Plz guide me.

  47. Salam

    I have prayed istahara for marriage in which I saw two objects one a teal colour and one white in colour these were in a white cupboard. I picked the teal one and said I would paint this the same colour as my car which is red but did not actually see the colour red. my mum also prayed on my behalf and she saw white goats with horns. everyone is agreeing to this marriage expect my mum and it's proving difficult to make her agree. I wanted to know if the istaraha was a good or bad sign for me?

    • Sam, please read the article carefully. Istikhara has nothing to do with colors in dreams, and is not dependent upon dreams at all.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  48. I want to know if i can perform istikhara before going for exams. And If so I don't know Arabic so how do I say the matter whilst making dua

    • Mohamed, Istikhara is usually used to ask for guidance in making a decision or choosing a course of action. I think you should make a regular dua' and ask Allah for success in your exams.

      When you do pray Istikhara at the appropriate time, it's better to try to learn it in Arabic of course, but for now you can say it in English.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  49. Aslamalkium, I want to get married to someone. We both decided to do istkhara before we go ahead with anything. Once I started mine he told me that someone he had previously thought about getting married to, did istkhara for them and it was positive. However later on down the line it didn't work out. He told me he is worried that what if that istkhara was right. My question is should I take that as my sign and not go ahead with this anymore.

    JazakAllah Khair

  50. Assalamwalekum brothers and sisters.
    I am not learned about Islam and am just in the process of learning more about it everyday and this website has helped me a great deal. Some of the posts have given me so much of peace that i am today closer to Allah and much in content dispite the grave difficlties that I have recently gone through in life and for that i want to thank all the editors and members here. Jassakala khair to everyone.
    I just wanted to add a comment here... i completely agree with brother wael.. ishtikhara is not about dreams. Please do not make the mistake of finding signs in dreams after ishtikhara because it is very easy to misread our dreams... ishtikhara is guidance. Every dua should be a dua for guidance in general but ishtikhara is a specefic dua where you ask Allah to open those doors for you (when you have a choice or a decision to make) which will be beneficial for you, your family and in your religion. Once you have performed salaat for ishtikhara then the doors to the choice which will not be beneficial for you in the above three matters will automatically start closing for you and the ways to the correct choice will become easier. For example if you want to make a decision between whether you should go abroad or not then after ishtikhara if going abroad is good for you then you will find ease in getting a visa etc.
    This is what my understanding of ishtikhara is... as i mentioned above i am no scholar and know much lesser than most people but this is what i beleive through my common understanding.
    Please forgive me if i am wrong.
    I am divorced now but before my marriage i was asked to take out an ishtikhara based on the above understanding where i asked Allah that if this marriage is not good for me then it should not happen. It happened so that after that my then fiance was excessively rude to my elder sister and refused to take my calls and if he did he would be cold and rude. (He later told me it was because he got put off by me because i had asked him to speak on the phone to me during our courtship and break some ice. But this was too forward for him and he had already started to dislike me since then). So i asked my brother to go speak to him and ask him whether he wanted to go ahead with this marriage or not. My then fiance told him that ofcourse he wanted to go ahead with the marriage because it was Allah's decision since his mother and some third person had taken out an ishtikhara and they both had seen a positive dream (he himself did not take out an ishtikhara ) that shut my brother up since he didnt have an answer for this and the marriage took place.
    But my ex husband was already put off and i too was uncomfortable with how he had reacted to me during our courtship... we still tried though and did have our share of happy times but could never match our ideologies. He was more religious than me (i perform my farz prayers and fast but i was very ignorant about other aspects) but instead of helping me through he was condescending and patronizing. I can go into details about what ultimately led to the divorce but this is not what i want to talk about. My point is that the man never liked me (he said so later) and all my efforts were going to waste because he simply didnt like me. He then started to question the ishtikhara saying how come it came positive... ultimately he did divorce me. I know that ishtikhara does not mean that a marriage will not end in a divorce but i was clearly not the right person for him and vice versa and perhaps the signs were mistaken by him and his family. I wish he had given the marriage more thought. He wishes the same too.... he now tells my brother that he wishes that he had ended the engagement earler when my brother had first come to him because a broken engagement is better than a broken marriage. I agree.... thankfully we have no children who are suffering because of a decision taken badly.
    On my end i think the marriage and ultimately the divorce were ultimately good for me.... true i faced a lot of humilation and had to face false allegation and see my family in distress, was even slapped by my husband... but i am a different person after all this. I have become much more stedfast with my prayers and reading the Quran. I have much more sabr. I am much more close to my family since they supported me whole heartedly through all this and i know who my friends are. Most importantly i have learned to be content and beleive that whatever Allah does he does for the best. I sincerely repent my sins and mistakes and have made sincere tawbas and look forward to living a more fulfilling life. I am definitely a better person now.... so perhaps the ishtikhara was good for me after all... Allah knows best. I am just thank ful and do pray to get married again some day and make someone happy and have somebody to love me whole heartedly.

  51. Asalam Wa alaikum
    Dear muslim brothers & sisters
    I am a girl & i am only 19years old
    i have a wish dreams i like a car & my perents cant afford me that car because it is an expensive car & I have seen a draw of winning money but the ticket is also expensive for 1000AED so me & my big sister decided to put in it 500 me & 500 my sister & i am jobbless i really like the car i pray to Allah to win me & my sister i really badly want to win i performed Salat-ul-istikharah & my heart said to put in draw & can anyone say me a good advice please ?

    • Sister, playing the lottery is haram in Islam. It is also a waste of money, since the odds are of winning are very low. I hope you did not buy the ticket already.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Get a least expensive car, and save money for the future when you might need it for something else. The purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B, so does it really matter what kind of car you have? also if its a expensive car then its likely that the insurance will be expensive to, and if you need service done on it , it will cost you extra too. Expensive cars consume more fuel too usually.

      -Don't go with the lottery it will be a complete waste of your and your sisters 500. As its haram and the chances of you winning are like finding a needle in a haystack.

  52. one more question
    if u do Istikhara at night n u see dreams after fajr prayer sleeping so can it be acceptlable as the sign of our ishtikhara prayer? or just the dream can be valid if u see it at night...?

    after fajar prayer salat ul istakhar is permitted to perform ?? actually after ishaa i nap for 25 to 30mins n than perform tahajud so if I perform istakhara after fajar nimaz my istakahara will be acceptable or not ? plez tell me as soon as posible

    • Please read the article and our other articles on Istikhara. Salat al-Istikhara is not dependent on dreams. Also, we do not perform any nafilah salat after Fajr or Asr.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  53. TOPIC RELATED TO Istekhara / Khuab ki tabeer,

    I did istekhara prayer twice and twice i have seen doing sex once with my wife who is out of country and once with someone I did not saw the face no colors whoch indicates postivity kr negitivity.

    I have been through lots of problems recently in dubai where as my whole family was well settled there n suddenly got some financial crisis in family business and even i got caught in some criminal issue where as nothing got proved against me and i have got the clearance from the police in 6 days then i came back to pakistan and lost my job also due to this crimnal activity i got confused and scared and didnt went back on time, i have the visa to go back and cancel my previous job visa and start with looking for new job or any thing else i did istekhara and i got twice having sex once with my wife who is currently in dubai and secondly also having sex but dont know with who and i got ejaculated both the time both of it is after fajr prayers.

    my sister did the istekhara and saw bird in white sky and even lighting and another relative did the istekhara she have seen green feilds

    please do let me know is it better to go back for me after all this as discussed.

    I have checked khuaab ki tabeer in different blogs but not sure but got to know all of it guideds abt postivity.

    please suggest me should i do the istekhara again or consider this is better to go back or stay here

    JAZAKALLAH AL KHAIR

    ASALAMO ALAIKUM

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. The dreams are irrelevant. Istikhara is not based on dreams, or colors, or dream interpretation. That is a common misconception. Please read our articles on Istikhara to understand it better.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  54. In the Dua' where أَنَّ ھَذَا الأَمْرَ (if You know this affair - and here he mentions his need - ) ---- is written ......

    Does it mean, to mention the affair in ARABIC sentences in the place of أَنَّ ھَذَا الأَمْرَ while reciting the Dua? or just thinking & imagination about the affair is enough while reciting the words أَنَّ ھَذَا الأَمْرَ ?

    • You should mention the matter specifically. But it doesn't have to be in Arabic. I know it might seem weird to say most of a dua' in Arabic and one phrase in English or another language, but it's fine. Allah does not discriminate based on language.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • I wanted to ask that if I tell someone to do istakhara for me without telling them my problem so will I get solution for my problem? As one of my friends told me this

  55. Aoa brother
    My husband always faced difficulties alot. These days in all interviews he being selected bt at final times every thing seems to be stoped. What should we have to do. As on reaching at peak of success n asure abt it we face failure n going tight day by day in monetry aspects.

  56. Salam

    Can the outcome of Istikhara change over time?

    Example: A person makes Istikhara for marriage, the marriage does not go ahead for watever reason. Can Istikhara be made again, say another years time, and the outcome be different? As circumstances have changed for either party etc.I am hearing conflicting things regarding this.

    Jazakallah

    • Yes, you can pray Istikhara again. The outcome will be Allah's guidance and assistance, regardless of what it is.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • I'm having a lot of problem in my eyes due to someone's evil eye on it. I also poured that person's wudu water on me , did a very strong ruqyah but can't see sudden and quick shifa .. can istakhara be done for guidance about this situation?

  57. Is it right to read istakhra till the meraige

    • Assalaamualaikam

      Please read our articles on istikhara for information about how to perform it.

      Midnightmoon
      IslamicAnswers.com editor

  58. Assalamu alaikum
    I love someone but he is not into marriage right now wat he says... on the other hand... my parents chose a guy for me whom I dont have feelings for.... in tht case how to make istikhara... plz help

  59. AOA.please give me your email adress or how i can contact you .i have a very serious problem which i dont want to share in public..and i have to make a decision in a day or two.plz plz plz msg me asap as i am very worried and going crazy

    • I'm sorry, we do not provide advice by email, and we have a waiting time of several weeks for a question to be answered. Just pray Istikhara and make the decision that feels right in your heart.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  60. Assalaamualaikum
    Can u please tell me how to perform Istikhata .. I want to know the correct steps according to Hadith .

  61. A.o.A she is my class fellow and we both want to marry. She asked me to send my parents to her home. At first my parents want to do Istakhara and they asked someone else to do istakhara for us. They did the istakhara for seven times and all were negatives. I can't make myself satisfy with that. She is an educated girl and very sincere to me and we realy want to start living togather but my parents are afraid of the results of Istakhara and didn't allow us to marry. Please help me what should i do?

  62. I would like to ask you about the meaning and purpose of istikhara in detail. I am 27 years old and wished to love marriage. We both love each other and want to marry first priority. Her parents has accepted my proposal but my parents and siblings have'nt because of their society. They said that they had performed the istikhara and it came negative even I have performed istikhara and feeling comfortable but my family is not accepting my istikhara. What can I do now. I have talked to Mufti. He said Istikhara does not say about the future. You should perform Istikhara ( 2 Nafil and read the dua of istikhara). There is no need to sleep for watching dream (positivity or negativity). You should try to do your work or need. If your need is better it will come and Allah will help you otherwise not. but marriage is a part of Islam for Muslims. Their is no need to Perform Istikhara for marriage. It is a wastage of time to delay marriaget can I do we both love each other and want to marry.

    Waiting for your reply

  63. Sb, pleae register and submit your question as a separate post and we will answer you in turn, Insha'Allah. In the meantime, my short answer is that praying Istikhara and being guided by Allah to what is right, does not mean that it will be easy. What is right is not necessarily easy. There is nothing easy in life. Every new venture presents challenges. Every risk entails some stress. That does not mean it is the wrong path.

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  64. Masha Allah, may Allah guide & protect us, Amin...

  65. Is it possible that a Muslim will do istikah and the person she of he sees is a non muslim

  66. Salaam I wanted to ask if the answer to istikhara can be in the form of an ayat such as if istikhara is done during the night and one awakes for fajr and after praying they read Quran and stumble across an ayat which they feel is related to them and as though it is the response is this possible to be an answer?

    • It could. It really depends on what you feel in your heart. Istikhara is not dependent on signs, dreams, colors in dreams, or any such thing. It is simply a prayer for guidance. And the Quran is certainly a good source of guidance.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Are you able to interpret the relevant ayat if I provided you with the details or not? If I tell you the words of the ayat could you interpret it in terms of istikhara answer for marriage?

      • But didn't the article say that there is no such thing as Istikhara by Qur'an? The way you have said, ' It could. It really depends on what you feel in your heart', I am getting the feeling that then there is the possibility that one might make a decision based on the ayat in Qur'an, that she stumbled into? I am asking about this since that's what istikhara by Qur'an is about. To open Qur'an and taking the first ayat in the right side of the page and go by the meaning whether negative or positive.
        If one takes the Istikhara prayer at night and opens the Qur'an in the morning and some ayat makes her feel like this is for her, then again that could be similar as taking the decision by this system, isn't it?

        • "sanctuary," it is certainly the Islamic way to take guidance from the Quran. We read it, we learn the lessons, we follow the advice. And then we do what is right.

          What you are talking about, however, is artificial and innovative. Opening the Quran, finding the first ayah on the right and trying to decipher it to decide if it is "positive" or "negative"? This is a made-up thing that has no basis in the Sunnah.

          As I have said, Istikhara is not dependent on signs, dreams, colors in dreams, or any such thing. It is simply a prayer for guidance. After making the prayer, you make the best decision you can and trust that Allah is guiding you in response to your prayer.

          Wael
          IslamicAnswers.com Editor

          • Thank you so much! I am reading this answer after a long time, but it sure helps to know that there is no such thing as Istikhara by Qur'an. Some people I know practice this and I was very confused for a while about what's right and what's wrong since they do it with such conviction. But now I feel like doing it is disrespecting the Qur'an.
            Thank you for the clarification and the right way to perform the Istikhara.

  67. ASALAMALIKUM. i am a medical students.. i want to change my university and want to go to other university for which i did istikhara and i saw in dream that i was talking with a girl which i know and i was happy type also and was in my own university in which i study now i did istikhara for this 3 times and saw the same dream but the second time i did all was same only the girl was change and that second girl was also known to me..so i am confuse should i change my university

    • Brother, if you had read the article carefully you would see that Istikhara is not dependent on dreams. You should make the choice you feel is best, and trust in Allah to guide you.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  68. My Name is Muhamad Azeem
    Date Of Birth day 12 June 1990
    Birth Time 11:50 A.M
    Place of birth : Lahore, Pakistan

    Can you Please tell me about my Carrier and marriage.

    I am in that stage of life where i don't know what is good and what is bad for me. So please tell me about my carrier and marriage dates.
    Please help

    • Istikhara has nothing to do with birth dates or locations, nor can we predict the future. Please read our articles to educate yourself.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  69. Assalamu Alaikum !!
    1) Can I pray istikhara for my exams to get a good mark ?
    2)And is it allowed to pray istikhara for example on which topics to revise for the exam?
    Jazakumu Allahu Khairan !!

    • Praying for a good mark is not Istikhara, but simply dua'. And yes, you can pray Istikhara on which topics to revise, if you wish.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  70. Salam.I need some information regardingThe Colours.

    • Hina, I deleted the remainder of your comment. Salat al-Istikhara is not based on colors seen in dreams. It is simply a dua' for Allah to guide you to what is good and keep you away from what is harmful.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  71. I did istakhara for marriage which was positive but the guy backed off I m confused and I trust Allah

  72. Subhan Allah

  73. Salams.
    I was in a relationship with a guy for a year. We started having issues later on. Six months passed and I couldn't let go. My feelings were the same for him. I started offering salathul isthikara, made dua to Allah that if he's not the one destined for me, to remove my feelings for him and if he is written for me, to bring him closer to me. A few days later he contacted me and said that he wanted to work things out. A week later both of us realised that things are not the same between us. But he told me that he wants to get married to me through a proposal and not through a relationship. But it'll take quite a lot of time for him to convince his parents. But what worries me is that the feelings are not the same anymore. I'm not really sure what I should do. Should I continue offering isthikara or should I take this as an answer?

  74. First I saw pink colour and then black what is the meaning

  75. Dear Sir;
    I want to know about my promotion which is expected in January 2018.

    Please reply.

  76. i read a line and i disagree with it. The line is “We do not need a third person to speak to Allah for us, this is what Christians do.”
    i disagree with this.
    we need Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ. sab kuch Allah(SWT) Ki Taraf Say

    Rasulullah ﷺ Kay Wasilay say he hay.

    • It is true that the Prophet (sws) will intercede for us with Allah on Yawm al-Qiyamah. Until then, however, it is up to you to pray directly to Allah. The Prophet cannot intercede for you at this time.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  77. Assalamualaikum I have question about my istikhara? Can I ask? I am doing istikhara but I’m confused about it ? Can you please advice me ?

    • Fabiha, please read this article and others on our site, as well as the numerous posts we have already answered on the subject.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  78. Salam Alaykum,I was introduced to a guy last month for possibly marriage.During the last few weeks ,I didn’t feel any marital relationship with him.Last week we had a meeting and he said he wants to see my parents and hopefully by the year he would marry me.After the meeting, I started performing Istikharah,because I don’t know what to do other than that and up till now,I still do not have any feeling of a relationship with him.I felt at that it normal to feel that way.Please advice me on what to do? Jazakallahu khairan

  79. Can we istikhara with water?? Is it authentic way ?

    • I have never heard of doing istikhara with water. I don't think this has anything to do with the sunnah of the Prophet (sws).

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  80. assalamualaikum
    last night i performed istikarah for my marriage proposal. i dreamt of a cow baby born to a human, then i saw myself getting into a bus with unknown people and there was some discussion going about someone probably a bad person being killed. the other half of the about the person being killed wasnt very clear. if you could please makeout some thing out of this please do reply ASAP.

    • afiya, istikhara has nothing to do with dreams or images seen in dreams. It is simply a prayer for Allah to guide you to what is best, and keep you away from what is evil. After you pray istikhara, you go ahead and do what you think is best, and trust that Allah is guiding you and helping you.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  81. hi i love somone for almost 3 years and the he get engagede by his family, i pray so much that he comes back again, i pray tahajjud and my 5 times pray, i cry all the time and and i want him to come back very badly from that engagemang.
    i found i website and it is a Molana i Indien ho tells me he do Istikhara but he want 20000 rupies and he tell me that our stars dont mach but my problem Will be solved about 3 days. should i trust him and send money ?

    • Maria, the so-called molana is cheating you. It's so wrong, I hardly know where to begin:

      1. There is no such thing in Islam as paying money for istikhara. Anyone who does this is a liar and a scammer. They are not practicing Islam at all, rather they are practicing Hindu numerology and astrology where they ask for names and birth dates, which has no basis in Islam. What do the stars have to do with Islam? That is shirk.

      2. If you need to pray istikhara, do it yourself, according to the Sunnah. Look it up. We have information on this website.

      3. You don't even need istikhara in this case because you are deluding yourself. If the man loved you and cared about you, he would not have gotten engaged to someone else. He doesn't want you. Move on with your life and forget him. Find someone who chooses you and marries you, and who doesn't play games.

      May Allah help you and guide you.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • I heard the same thing ...
      He asked me like 20,000 for the istekhara and everything and then my problem will be solved in 3 to 5 days ...
      He asked about the birth dates and names ...

      • Ifra, it's a scam. I know there are a lot of people who do this, but they are all frauds. They have no guidance from Allah whatsoever.

        Wael
        IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  82. Mei bhi kuch mashwara chahti hu, aik larkey ky sath mera Masha'Allah 3saal Say rishta hai or Shaadi krna chahti hu mein par uski family apni zaat mein Shaadi chahti, or voh maan nhi rahay ...
    Mujhay kuch smj nahi aa rha ...

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