Fatwa No : 5168
When one should seek for ISTAKHARA (استخارہ)

When one should seek for ISTAKHARA (استخارہ)

Please provide with your best advice for the following: 01. When one should seek for ISTAKHARA? 02. what is the best (masnoon) method of performing it. 03. If theres any bad effects of not obediencing the Istakhara. 04. what one should do if he doesnt get satisfy with the results of Istakhara? Please answer, I m Over-whelmed with the Confusions and mis-understandings.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

The Sunnath method of doing Isthikhara, which was taught by Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to Sahaba is thus. Before going to sleep perform two Raka'aath of Nafl Salath and subsequently make the following Dua with utmost concentration.

” اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ ثُمَّ تُسَمِّيهِ بِعَيْنِهِ خَيْرًا لِي فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ قَالَ أَوْ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ واصرفه عني وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ “

When reaching the words ھذا الامر contemplate on the matter in which counsel is sought. Thereafter, sleep on a clean, pure bedding facing the Qibla with Wudhu (ablution). After awakening whatever firm thought comes in the mind regarding the matter sought after is, the best and should proceed with it.
It is allowed to do in the contrary as well and there is no prohibition in Shari’a on it. However for consolation and to avoid confusion and annoyance, it is far better to do according to it. As for a particular time of doing Isthikhara, there is nothing as such and can do as and when necessary and there is no prohibition in it as per the Shari’a