['Aalim Network QR] Istekhara

[Abbas Jaffer <abbas@dircon.co.uk>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun Alaykum,

The following question was kindly answered by Mulla Asgher.

Regards

Abbas Jaffer
Moderator - 'Aalim Network

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Question:

Quite often I am advised before making a major decision that I should get an 
"Isthakharo" done. My understanding of Isthakharo is that it reveals 
 whether the decision you are about to make is good or bad. 

How does this work and what is procedure for performing an Isthakharo?.

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Answer:

Istekhara means "seeking of Khayr (goodness)". According to hadith from
A'imma (A), we should do "Istikhara" before leaving our homes. This hadith
means that one should seek/anticipate goodness from Allah when leaving the
house.

However, when one is faced with extreme indecision and cannot decide on a
course of action on his own or after seeking advice, one can do "Istekhara"
by several means. With a Niyyat of trying to find good for himself in all
situations, one can:

1. Pray two Rakat Namaz at the end of which, whichever option comes to
mind, he should act on it.

2.One can consult the Holy Qur'an. After reciting Sura alHamd, and Salawat
5 times, open the Holy Qur'an and look at the first verse on the right side
(or any verse that you see first) and seek clarification from the meaning
of the verse.

3. There are other ways also described where lots are cast of a rosary
(Tasbih) is used.

Istekhara is to be done by the individual himself. One can consult an
'Aalim if one does not know how. 

It is not Wajib to act on the result of the Istekhara unless one has made a
Niyyat of Wajib.

Wassalaam