How to Understand the Results of Istikhara?

Answered By Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad

Question

How can I correctly understand the results of Istikhara (the prayer of seeking guidance)?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his Family, and his Companions.

Entrusting Matters to Allah

A believer should always entrust all matters to Allah (Most High), disclaim any power and strength except through Him, and seek His guidance in all affairs. This is because Allah knows everything, knows what is best for His servant, and is capable of facilitating and making things easy for him.

The Significance of Istikhara

Istikhara is a supplication through which a servant entrusts their matter to Allah. It is highly likely to be answered because it is made after performing prayer.

Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to teach us to perform Istikhara in all matters just as he used to teach us a sura from the Quran. He said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating over an action, let him pray two units of non-obligatory prayer and say:

’اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي.’

‘O Allah, verily I seek the better (of either choice) from You, by Your knowledge, and I seek ability from You, by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed You have power, and I am powerless; You have knowledge, and I know not; You are the Knower of the unseen realms. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me with regard to my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me with regard to my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then turn it away from me and me from it; and decree for me better than it, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.’” [Bukhari]

Understanding Satisfaction with Allah’s Decree

Tirmidhi narrated from Sa‘d (Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Part of the happiness of the son of Adam is his satisfaction with what Allah has decreed for him, and part of the misery of the son of Adam is his leaving the seeking of guidance from Allah, and part of the misery of the son of Adam is his displeasure with what Allah has decreed for him.” [Tirmidhi; Ahmad]

Qastallani said: “If one of you is deliberating over a matter,” meaning if one intends a matter where the correct course is not known. For known good, such as acts of worship and good deeds, Istikhara is not necessary. However, it may be done to determine the specific time, such as performing Hajj this year, due to possible threats or similar issues. [Qastallani, Irshad al-Sari]

When to Perform Istikhara?

Istikhara is for all matters where a person intends to act but does not know the right decision. One should not underestimate any matter, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, and leave Istikhara for it, as it might bring great harm or benefit.

No Specific Signs Needed

There are no specific signs required after performing the prayer and supplication. Instead, one should resolve and proceed with the matter, hoping that it is the best choice. Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Then let him proceed with whatever his heart inclines to.” [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]

He also said: “Istikhara is recommended in all matters, as stated in this hadith. After performing Istikhara, let one proceed with whatever his heart inclines to.” [Nawawi, al-Adhkar]

Acting on Istikhara

It is also said that one should act upon what he has resolved, whether his heart inclines to it or not.

Taj al-Din al-Subki mentioned about Ibn Zamlakani: “If a person prays the two units of Istikhara for a matter, let him do whatever he deems best, whether his heart inclines to it or not, for there is good in it, even if his heart does not feel at ease. He said: There is no condition in the hadith requiring the heart to be at ease” [Subki, Tabaqat al-Shafi‘iyya al-Kubra]

Qastallani said: “And let him proceed with his need, for if it is good for him, Allah will facilitate its causes, and its outcome will be praiseworthy.” [Qastallani, Irshad al-Sari]

May Allah grant us insight into our religion, relieve our worries and distress, and help us in our affairs.

May peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad