The Permissibility of Asking Another to Perform the Guidance Prayer (istikhara)
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question: I asked someone to perform istikhara for me, and they asked me for my mothers name. Is this ok to do? Is there a need for mother’s name? Aside from doing the istikhara what are the rules when having istikhara performed by another person?
Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
The basis is that the prayer of seeking guidance (salat al-istikhara) is a means of asking Allah’s help in making the right decision. It isn’t a “magic wand.”
It is permitted for someone else to make the istikhara, but only if (based on their uprightness, knowledge, and understanding of the issue at hand) they would either make a good decision on one’s behalf, or help on make the right decision.
See also:
wassalam, Faraz Rabbani
