Istikhara

Salat al-Istikharah (Arabic: صلاة الاستخارة‎) is a prayer recited by Muslims when in need of guidance on an issue in their life. The salat is a two raka'ah salat performed to completion followed by the supplications Salat al-Istikharah.

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Istikhara . Anxiety

I did Istikhara for a very difficult decision which I had felt unsure about. The outcome of the Istikhara was positive. However, since then I feel intense anxiety and distress in carrying out this decision. What should I do next?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 2 years ago

Sometimes, when we are faced with a difficult decision, there really isn't one choice that is good (although there might be one choice that is less bad than the other).

So, it can be good just to make a decision and stick with it, and have faith that things will work out for the best, and as they are meant to.

If you genuinely feel you made a wrong decision, it is good to talk to someone trustworthy and get their view and see if you should do anything different, but it is better not to keep going over it again and again, as that can feed anxiety. Sometimes part of life is just making a decision and moving on.

If it is possible to change your mind, you can do that, but it is better just to decide once and for all and then set the issue to rest. Going back and forth on a decision can be hurtful to yourself and also to other people involved, such as in family matters, because it keeps them in limbo and from moving on.

Although anxiety is a normal response to difficult situations, it doesn't help yourself or the situation. There are various medical and non-medical ways to try to help with anxiety (which you can read online about). So it is good to try to address that too.

Istikhara . Anxiety

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

Your feeling intense anxiety and distress about carrying on the result of the Istekhara, means that you were not reluctant about the matter but you were against it. This means that you did not need an Istekhara right from beginning. Istekhara then is invalid, because you had already decided against the matter.

Wassalam.

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Istikhara

After praying Istikhara about a matter how soon after can I pray Istikhara again about the same matter if no answers were given?

If you saw an Istekhara and got an answer, you should not see Istekhara again on the same matter unless a change takes place in the matter.

Wassalam.

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Istikhara . Marriage Proposal

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

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 2 years ago

Bismillah

Alaykum Salaam

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

May you always be successful

143565

Marriage . Istikhara . Qur'an

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

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 2 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

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

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

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

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

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

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

And Allah knows best

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Istikhara

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

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

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

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

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

139187

Istikhara . Travel

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

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

Wassalam.

135096

Travel . Istikhara . Employment

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

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

Wassalam.

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Istikhara . Marriage Proposal

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

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

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

Wassalam.

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Istikhara . Marriage

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

Bismillah

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

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

May you always be successful

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Istikhara

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

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

Wassalam.

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Istikhara

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

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

Wassalam.