Can I Perform the Istikhara Dua via a Recording?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

When performing salat ul-Istikhara, is it ok to play the audio file of the dua through our phone?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Technically, yes. However, the point of the istikhara prayer is to express you neediness as a slave before Allah, and to ask Him to guide you in your choice and to facilitate what is good for you.

This is best done through expressing you need to Him, from your heart. Playing the audio won’t have the same effect. If you don’t know the Arabic, or don’t have it to hand, you can read the English translation to express your need.

Why Do We Have Needs?

Allah tests us with needs, difficult choices, and tests so we can turn back to Him. There is no better way of a servant reconnecting with Allah like that of someone in desperate need turning to Allah, believing that only He can change things. This is slavehood in its purest, humble form. This is why Allah commanded us to call on Him and promised to answer.

“Your Loving Lord proclaimed, ‘Call on Me; I will certainly respond to you. Indeed, those who prove too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell humiliated.’“ (40:60) This verse starts with encouragement to call on Allah, and then chastises the disbelievers who arrogantly and rebelliously refuse to worship Him. 

The connection is clear: dua is a form of worship. Rather, it is “the very essence of worship“ (Tirmidhi) .

See your istikhara as this. Perform it with a feeling of need before Allah, and He will guide you and bring about the very best situation for you.

Istikhara: The Prayer of Seeking Guidance

May Allah facilitate matters for you in the best of ways.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.