Having trouble making the Right Decision ?

Asalaam Wa Alykum Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat

Picture


I’m pretty sure everyone reading this has had, at some point in their life so far, difficulties deciding between two (or more) options (like which university to choose from or choosing the right spouse). We all want to choose the one that is best/most beneficial for us. Thus we try to gather as much information and ask as many people so that we can make the ‘perfect’ decision. Did you ever think to ask Allah?

Yes there is a way to ask Allah so that you can make that perfect decision. This is called “Al Istikharaah”. Istikharaah in Arabic means seeking guidance to make a decision concerning something. It is said in Arabic Istakhir Allaaha yakhir laka (Seek guidance from Allah and He will guide you (to the right decision)). In sharee’ah terminology, Istikharaah means seeking guidance (to the right decision), i.e., seeking guidance as to what Allah knows is the best and most appropriate choice, by means of prayer or the dua’a’ narrated concerning Istikharaah. It is in fact an invaluable teaching of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with which the Muslims have been favoured.

 

Proof that Istikharaah exists

The scholars are unanimously agreed that Istikharaah is Sunnah. The evidence that it is prescribed is the Hadith narrated by al-Bukhaari from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) used to teach his companions to make Istikharaah in all matters, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Qur’an. He said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: (the Istikharaah dua’a)” [Al-Bukhaari in several places in his Saheeh (1166)] 

Things to do before actually making Istikharaah:

Al-Nawawi said: It is mustahabb (preferred), before praying Istikharaah, to consult someone whom you know is sincere, caring and has experience, and who is trustworthy with regard to his religious commitment and knowledge. Allah says: 

“and consult them in the affairs” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:159---interpretation of the meaning]

The person who wants to pray Istikharaah should have an open mind. And s/he should not pray Istikharaah except when s/he has decided to do something but does not have a strong inclination towards it. Otherwise, if a person were to pray Istikharaah for every thought that crosses his/her mind, s/he would never stop and s/he would waste all her/his time doing that lol.

How is it performed?

Its easy! Just say the dua’a after every fard Salaah and ask Allah to guide you. Now people do say that you are supposed to pray two nafil and then say that dua’a. Though this is not compulsory to do Istikharaah, it is preferable. Salaah is the best way to praise Allah and it is better to make any dua;a after praising Allah. Praying two rak’ahs beforehand is only prescribed before the du’aa’ to make it more likely to receive a response, and to help bring about proper presence of mind and make the du’aa’ more likely to be accepted.

Ibn Abi Jamrah said, as narrated in Fath al-Baari (11/186): 

The wisdom behind putting the salaat before the dua’a’ is that Istikharaah is intended to combine the goodness of this world with the goodness of the next. A person needs to knock at the door of the King (Allah), and there is nothing more effective for this than prayer, because it contains glorification and praise of Allah, and expresses one's need for Him at all times. If a Muslim cannot offer the prayer (two rak’ahs) for some reason, there is nothing wrong with calling upon Allah and asking Him to make easy for him/her the better of the two options, without offering the prayer. 

These words of al-Nawawi were quoted by a number of scholars from different madhhabs, who quoted them as evidence.

So if you are going to perform the nafil Salaah, there are three opinions as to what should be recited in Salaat al-Istikharaah: 

(a)     The Hanafis, Maalikis and Shaafa’is said that it is mustahabb (preferable), after reciting al-Faatihah, to recite Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon in the first rak’ah and Qul huwa Allaahu ahad in the second.  Al-Nawawi said, explaining the reason for that: It is appropriate to recite these in prayer, to show sincerity and expressing your leaving your affairs to Allah. They said that it is also permissible to add other verses from Qur’aan where the context refers to the idea of making a choice or decision.

(b)    Some of the Salaf said that in praying Istikharaah it is good to add, after reciting al-Faatihah, the following verses in the first rak’ah:

“And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses, no choice have they (in any matter). Glorified is Allah, and exalted above all that they associate (as partners with Him). And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal, and what they reveal. And He is Allaah; Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), all praises and thanks be to Him (both) in the first (i.e. in this world) and in the last (i.e. in the Hereafter). And for Him is the Decision, and to Him shall you (all) be returned” [al-Qasas 28:68 – interpretation of the meaning]

And the following verse in the second rak’ah:

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error” [al-Ahzaab 33:36 – interpretation of the meaning]

(c)    The Hanbalis and some of the fuqaha’ did not say that any particular verses are to be recited when praying Istikhaarah

After done the nawafil, the Hanafis, Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis stated that the dua’a’ should be recited immediately after the prayer. This is in accordance with what was stated in the Hadith narrated from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Fataawa al-Kubra: Part 2, p. 265: It is permissible to recite the dua’a’ of Istikharaah before or after the salaam, whether you are praying salaat al-Istikharaah or another prayer. Reciting dua’a’ before the salaam is preferable, as the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite a lot of dua’a’ before the salaam, and the worshipper before saying the salaam still in a state of prayer, so it is better to recite the dua’a’ then.

Some Shaykhs state the preferable way to perform Istikharaah is to pray two raka'ah of optional prayer before going to sleep. Upon completion of the prayer, recite Alhamdulillah, and then durood shareef. After that, recite the Dua’a for Istikharaah. Thereafter, go to sleep without speaking to anybody, facing the Qiblah. Continue with this process everynight until the reason for which Istikharaah is achieved.

Can I pray it for any decision making? Like even to know whether if I should eat pork or not?

Istikharaah is only prescribed for matters deemed permissible by the Shari`ah and not for any issue that plainly opposes Allah's Laws. It is when you have two permissible options and you do not know which is better for you that you should resort to Allah the Almighty to seek His guidance.

There is no room for Istikharaah when it comes to things that are obligatory, haraam or makrooh. Rather Istikharaah has to do with things that are recommended or permissible. Istikharaah is not ordinarily required with regard to things that are recommended, rather it should be done in cases where there is a conflict, i.e., when a person has a choice of two things and must decide which one to start with or which one not to do.

Also keep in mind, in matters of Fiqh or status of a narrator of Hadith, the Istikharaah dua’a is not applicable. Why? That is because the dua’a’ is not applicable to what one seeks. In dua’a’ al-Istikharaah it says “then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.” This phrase cannot be applicable in these matters.

So one prays Istikharaah in order to choose one particular permissible thing, when one is confused as to which city to go to in order to seek knowledge, or which shaykh one should study with, or which halaqah one should attend.

People who make religion unnecessarily hard, without much proof, say:

Ø  Do not ask others after doing Istikharaah. Don’t you trust Allah? Shame on you for even thinking to ask someone after Istikharaah *sigh*

The one making al-Istikharaah should also seek help from those whom he knows to be righteous and who can give the appropriate advice and it makes no difference whether this is before al-Istikharaah or after it. For there is no contradiction whatsoever between al-Istikharaah and Istiharah (seeking the advice of the people) because al-Istikharaah is from Allah and Istiharah is from the people.

And similar is reported in a narration, when a man asked him (PBUH) concerning his riding beast; should he tie it and rely upon Allah, or should he leave it and rely upon Allah? So the Prophet answered him saying: Tie it and rely upon Allah
[At-Tirmishee, Ibn Khuzaimah, at-Tabari and others]



Ø  No dream no answer...go be more religious like me first and then do these stuffs

Firstly, one must understand that none of the narrations in the Ahadith have any mention regarding a dream, or even about performing the 'Istikharaah' before sleeping. However, some 'Ulama do prefer that Istikharaah be performed before sleeping. It does not matter what you saw in the dream but look at which way your heart is more inclined towards.

Ibn al-Haaj al-Maaliki said: 

Some of them pray Istikharaah as prescribed in sharee’ah and then wait until they see a dream from which they will decide whether they should go ahead and do whatever they prayed Istikharaah about or not, or until someone else sees a dream for them. This does not count for anything, because the infallible one (PBUH) told us to pray Istikharaah and consult others, not to rely on what is seen in dreams. (Al-Madkhal, 4/37) 

With regard to the dream that you have seen, you should ask people who have knowledge of that, whose religious commitment and ‘aqeedah you trust, so that they may explain its meaning to you. Beware of ignorant people and charlatans. 

Ø  Perform it for 7 nights otherwise you will never be sure

As far as performance of 'Istikharaah' more than once is concerned, the 'Ulama have regarded it as 'mustahabb' i.e. preferable to perform it three times. This is on the basis of the narration of Ibn Mas'ud (RAA) wherein he states that when Rasulullah (PBUH) made dua’a, he would repeat it three times.

However this (repeating 7 times) is not a Sunnah in Istikharaah as there has been no mention in this regard in any of the Ahadith of Istikharaah. As regards the narration of seven times, due to it being an unauthentic narration, it cannot be used as a basis for the establishment of any matter in Din.

Ø  Not following Istikharaah is sinning because you are disobeying Allah tis tis tis

If a person goes against what is indicated by Istikharaah, he is not disobeying Allah or sinning, but he will miss out on much goodness and will regret it if he does not do it, or harm may befall him if he goes ahead with something that Allah has not made easy for him. Perfect faith and trust in Allah means delegating one’s affairs to Allah and accepting His decision, and going ahead with the matter after praying Istikharaah and deciding upon a course of action, and not paying attention to waswasah.  

 

DUA FOR ISTIKHARAAH: (the Arabic text is the attached file)



 

Allaahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as'aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa ta'lamu walaa a'alamu wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. Allaahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal-amr khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy wa-aaqibat amriy, fa'qdruhliy wa-yassirh liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy was-'aaqibat amriy. Fa asrifh annee wa-srif 'anhu. Wa aqdurh liyal khayr hayth kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee

Translation: O Allah!! Behold I ask You the good through Your Knowledge, and ability through Your Power, and beg (Your favour) out of Your infinite Bounty. For surely You have Power; I have none. You know all; I know not. You are the Great Knower of all things. O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter be good for my faith (Deen), for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and bless me therein. But if in Your Knowledge, this matter be bad for my faith (Deen) for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away therefrom, and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to be pleased therewith.

While reciting this du'a when one reaches Haadhal Amr (this matter) at both places he should think of his problem.

 

***Whenever there is a difference of opinion in any matter concerning islam, it is preferable to take the moderate approach or to follow towards what your heart is inclined to. So if you are confused as to whom to follow while praying the nawafil, follow what you think makes more sense. All prescribed ways are correct in their own way. So you choosing either one won’t make you a sinner.



Picture

Reference:
Shaykhul Hadith Fazlur Rahmaan, Status of dreams in Istikharaah
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
http://www.albalagh.net/qa/istikharah.shtml
www.islamqa.com
www.muftisays.com
http://www.beautifulislam.net/articles/dreams_istikharah.htm



Wa-alykum Assalaam Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat!