How Does One Regret a Decision after Making Istikhara?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I recently bought a house and chose a new job after making istikhara, believing Allah guided me. But at the same time, I know I made that decision myself, so it is difficult to see it as a result of the istikhara from Allah. I regret the choice of house and even the job. There is nothing wrong with these, but I’m not content. Is it weak faith in Allah? I want to have firm faith, and then it will be easy for me to accept the results.
And also how we can understand the hadith of destiny about saying “what if” when we know we made the decision and choice ourselves. How to have strong faith that all this is destined?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Regret
Regretting a decision after making istikhara does not indicate weak faith but rather the contrary. It shows that you followed the feeling Allah put in your heart and were prepared to face whatever came. It may be that Allah wanted you to go through this experience to learn something about yourself, and it may be that this will build your character in a way that nothing else would. It may be that Allah wanted to break one of your attachments. There could be several unknown pearls of wisdom behind it.
Please see these links as well:
Why Did I End Up in Pain Even after Following the Istikhara?
How Do I Know The Answer to Istikhara?
Moving Forward
Looking to the future, you can re-assess whether you want to move or look for a new job and see where your next istikhara takes you. Make all your decisions based on what is halal, is aligned with Allah’s good pleasure, and benefits your family’s religion. Make your decisions rooted in after-worldly affairs and not worldly affairs.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “None of you (truly) believes until his desires are subservient to that which I have brought.” [Nawawi classified it Hasan Sahih]
And he said (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. The amir (ruler) who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household, and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband’s house and children, and she is responsible for them; and a man’s slave is a shepherd in charge of his master’s property, and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” [Abu Dawud]
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
