“Method of Istikhara and it’s misconceptions” by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat حفظه الله

Istikhārah means to turn to Allāh ta‘ālā and seek goodness from Him. This is because Allāh ta‘ālā knows what we do not know. As Allāh ta‘ālā is fully aware of the end result and consequence of every matter and we merely speculate, we should ask Allāh ta‘ālā to guide us towards goodness in our endeavours or tasks that we are about to embark on. It should be understood that istikhārah is simply a du‘ā like any other du‘ā. However, it has more chance of acceptance in the Court of Allāh ta‘ālā as it has been specifically taught by Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam to his Ummah. It is a prayer offered to Allāh ta‘ālā before embarking on a particular course of action or choosing from a number of options, asking Him to guide us towards goodness and the correct and better choice, and to save us from that course of action or choice if goodness lies elsewhere. 

A point of great importance in istikhārah is to free one’s mind of all thoughts and inclinations before performing it. What would you expect from a person’s istikhārah when he has already resolved to do something! 

Method

The method of istikhārah is to perform two rak‘āt at any time of the day, other than the times when nafl salāh is forbidden. It is preferable to recite Sūrah Al-Kāfirūn in the first rak‘ah and Sūrah Al-Ikhlās in the second. Thereafter one should praise Allāh ta‘ālā, send salāh upon the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam and then recite the following du‘ā 

O Allāh! I seek goodness from You, through Your Knowledge, and I seek strength through Your Power and ask for Your great Bounty, for You are able to do things while I am not, and You know while I do not; and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allāh, if You know that this matter [name your matter] is good for me, in respect to my Dīn, my worldly life and the consequence of my affairs, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and then grant me barakah in it. And if You know that this matter [name your matter] is bad for me in respect to my Dīn, my worldly life and the consequence of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good, wherever it may be, and make me be pleased with it. (Al-Bukhārī)

If after the initial istikhārah you remain unsure about something, then perform istikhārah for 3, 5, or 7 days. Inshā’allāh within seven days the heart will feel at ease. 

There is also another method of istikhārah in the form of a short du‘ā. If a decision needs to be taken and there is no opportunity to perform two rak‘āt and do istikhārah in the aforementioned way, the following du‘ā should be recited: 

O Allāh, grant me goodness, and choose for me. (At-Tirmidhī)

As mentioned earlier, istikhārah is a du‘ā and Allāh ta‘ālā will accept it and grant you goodness, as long as there are no factors that prevent its acceptance. Obstacles to Allāh ta‘ālā accepting prayers include disobedience to Allāh ta‘ālā, harām earnings, and praying without the conviction that Allāh ta‘ālā will definitely accept the prayer. If there are such obstacles present in one’s life, he should do tawbah in earnest, and then make istikhārah. 

Results of Istikhārah

If, as a result of doing istikhārah, a person feels positive, he should proceed accordingly. If his du‘ā has been accepted, he will acquire goodness and success. However, many people feel positive after istikhārah and proceed accordingly, but do not see success. This can be explained by the following: 

1. In the du‘ā of istikhārah, a person first asks Allāh ta‘ālā for goodness in one’s Dīn which is the main objective of a believer, and thereafter he asks for the goodness of the world. Therefore, if after istikhārah one finds apparent worldly loss, but his Dīn remains safe, one should believe that through the barakah of istikhārah Allāh ta‘ālā has granted him a minute loss of this world and saved him from a greater loss of the Hereafter. 

2. Many times, the du‘ā as a result of istikhārah is accepted and Allāh ta‘ālā grants him goodness, but that goodness takes two forms: one form is that the choice he has made is one hundred percent good, without an iota of harm in it; the other is that he is guided towards the better of two possible outcomes. To understand this, take the example of a person who purchased a house as a result of a positive feeling after istikhārah. After six months, a new neighbour moved in next door and started harassing him. This person needs to understand in this situation that it is through the barakah of istikhārah that he has been saved from a bigger calamity, i.e. if he had chosen another house, the neighbour there would have harassed him even more. 

3. Sometimes, a person feels positive after istikhārah despite his du‘ā not being accepted due to the aforementioned obstacles. In this case the positive feeling he was experiencing in his heart was not from Allāh ta‘ālā. It was either a condition that existed before the istikhārah or it was a feeling from Shaytān. Sometimes a young man is deeply in love with a girl and after doing istikhārah he feels very comfortable. What can be expected from such an istikhārah? Are his positive feelings a result of the istikhārah or was that condition present before? 

Some Misconceptions

There are a number of common misconceptions about the sunnah practice of istikhārah: 

1. One of the main points of confusion is the assumption that if, as a result of doing istikhārah, a positive feeling about a particular course of action results, then it is a guarantee from Allāh ta‘ālā that it will be one hundred percent successful. People incorrectly believe that istikhārah is Divine Revelation. If after istikhārah a person of knowledge and experience was to advise an alternative, their opinion is discarded by saying, ‘I have performed istikhārah and now there can be no change.’ As a consequence, people proceed according to their feelings (e.g. they choose a marriage partner) and then, if some time later things do not work out, they begin to have doubts and negative thoughts about the sayings of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam regarding istikhārah. May Allāh ta‘ālā protect us all from such a condition. 

2. Likewise, people only do istikhārah nowadays when they are unsure about something. They perceive it to be a remedy for confusion; a way to request Allāh ta‘ālā to fix something for them. Istikhārah should not be limited to occasions when a person has doubts about doing something, or when a person is indecisive about something! Istikhārah is to be performed for all mubāh actions, even if you are 100 % sure about the course of action. For example, you may want to enrol your child in a particular school and have no doubts about it being the right one; even then you should perform two rak‘āt and read the du‘ā of istikhārah so that you are granted goodness and saved from a wrong decision. 

3. Nowadays, istikhārah is more or less confined to finding a marriage partner. 

4. Many believe it is necessary to perform istikhārah during the night before going to sleep, and compulsory not to talk to anyone after performing the two rak‘āt of istikhārah. 

5. Similarly, some believe it to be totally necessary to sleep on the right hand side facing the qiblah. 

6. Many expect and desire to see a dream in which one is clearly told that this is the path for you. Seeing a dream guiding towards a particular choice is not necessary in istikhārah. One needs to pay attention to the inclination of the heart whether one sees a dream or not. In all circumstances, the decisive factor is the inclination of one’s heart. 

7. Another common misconception is to ask others to perform istikhārah on one’s behalf. Many feel that we are sinful, so what good will our istikhārah do? Thus they search for a pious god-fearing person and ask him to perform istikhārah for them. Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam did not state any condition that a sinful person cannot perform istikhārah, and moreover, leaving sin and repenting is not an act of difficulty. One should leave sin, repent and perform istikhārah himself. This practice of asking others to perform istikhārah is not in accordance to the sunnah. Yes, when making istikhārah for a marriage partner, it is permissible for the parents of the boy/girl to perform istikhārah. This is because this is a need of the parents too, as it is their responsibility to marry their children into suitable families. 

Finally, with istikhārah, istishārah (consultation) is very important too. One should, before, during, and after performing istikhārah, seek consultation from those well-wishers who are learned and experienced in the relevant matter. The Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said,“The one who does istikhārah will not be unsuccessful, and the one who consults will not see regret.” (At-Tabrānī) 

Adh Dhaakiraat: The Characteristics of the Women who remember their Lord in Abundance

Notes from lecture by Shaykh Kamaluddin (http://www.islamicspirituality.org)

1. Wudhu is her shield

Wudhu is our shield against Shaytaan and is so vital to our spiritual well-being that Allah SWT commanded us to be in Wudhu for Salaah, whilst reciting the Qur’aan and during Tawaaf of the Ka’aba.

When in wudhu, the ability to do Dhikr is increased. Without wudhu, this ability decreases.

Since Dhikr increases the weight of each act of worship (Giving Sadaqah with Dhikr, doing Khidmah with Dhikr, etc) Wudhu is indispensable as it shields us from Shaytaan and increases the likelihood that we will be in the remembrance  of Allah, thus increasing the amount and weight of our Aamaal e saalih (Good deeds).

We must realize the Barakah (Blessings) of Wudhu, it may be a source of peace in the home, noor in the food that we prepare, ease in the relationships that we have.

Being in wudhu enables us to offer our Salaah on time, increasing the time that we receive the barakah of that Salaah. For instance, if you offer Dhuhr at its fixed time, and Asr is six hours later, you become a recipient of the Barakah of Dhuhr Salaah for six hours, up to the time that you offer Asr at its fixed time; as opposed to offering Dhuhr an hour before you are due to offer Asr.The Dhaakira is always in a state of Wudhu, as soon as her Wudhu becomes nullified, she renews it. She is protected from Shaytaan, shielded by Wudhu and is always in a state of physical purity, which leads to purification of her Qalb, her thoughts, her actions, her speech and her sight.

2. She recites the Masnoon (Sunnah) Duaas

If you don’t know the Masnoon Duaas off by heart, read them out of a book, but don’t miss out on practising the Sunnah ! Allah loves when we call out to Him with the same words as His Nabi SAW! So these Duaas are a means of becoming a friend of Allah!

Recitation of these Duaas increases the Barakah of our time.

3. Shukr – She Acknowledges the bounties of Allah and is grateful for them  

Gives thanks to Allah in every situation.

A dhaakira Is always conscious of the reasons that she should thank Allah SWT, His bounties are innumerable. She is conscious of them and gives thanks for them.

Allah SWT will grant you more if you show thanks for what He Has already given you.

The best way of showing thanks to Allah SWT is to use His Ni’mah (blessings) in His Obedience. Look at what makes Allah happy – read the Qur’aan, listen to what makes Allah happy – listen to the Ahadith etc. When we use the Ni’mah of Allah against Him, this is a grave show of ingratitude for the bounties that Allah Has Blessed us with and Allah becomes displeased with us.

4. She is Patient

She turns to Allah in every difficulty.

The more Shukr you do, the more Sabr you will have.

Be-shukr –> be-sabr. Ingratitude leads to impatienceThe dhaakira knows that Allah will make everything better. She trusts Him, she has a connection with Him, she Turns to Him and she cries to Him.

5. She’s Calm and doesn’t react when provoked

When provoked/tried, don’t react, don’t say anything in retaliation, don’t become frustrated, angry or anxious

Practice the Sunnah of Hilm, Zarf and tolerance

Despite being constantly abused, the Prophet SAW did not react to the woman who was responsible for his discomfort, to the extent that He SAW did not even react by using another route to avoid her path. In fact Prophet SAW asked regarding the woman when she didn’t harm him one day.

When put in this position, perform Wudhu, offer two rakaat Nafl Salaah, make Dua, and ask Allah to inspire you with the right course of action. Ask Allah what to do, then do it.

Only fix something in the state of Dhikr, with Allah’s help, after having waited, after having sought Allah’s help.

More Dhikr, more barakah. How much barakah do you want?

Everything in the Deen (Religion) must be learnt. Just as tafseer, tajweed and Hadith need to be learnt, so we should learn Dhikr from the Mashaaikh.

Learn Dhikr from the Mashaaikh to become of the Dhaakiraat. Become of the Dhaakiraat and feel the Barakah of that Dhikr

 

The Five Aamaal of our Mashaa’ikh

1 Recite Qur’aan

Dhikr of Qur’aan is tilaawah, recited in Arabic. This is separate from ilm of Qur’aan which is tafseer and tarjuma.

Read the letters of your Beloved untiringly, every single day. Not a single day should be empty of tilawah

 2. Istighfaar

We make many mistakes and the lover always asks forgiveness from her Beloved so make up with Allah everyday.

Whilst you beg for forgiveness, feel feelings of shame and guilt but with hope of Mercy

Ask for forgiveness of all your sins due to which you cannot worship Allah as He Should be worshipped

3. Durood

Feel that you are an ummatiyyah (an Ummati of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW). Feel that Nabi SAW is your Messenger and you are his ummati.

Say that you are from the family of Nabi SAW, do not invite me to sin, I cannot go towards any sin because i am the spiritual daughter of Maryam AS, Aasiya RA, Aa’isha RA, Faatima RA…

Because of this, the Dhaakira interacts, behaves in a certain way, a way which shows that she is from the Ummah of Imaam ul Ambiya (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him)

4. Wuqoof e Qalbi

Remind your heart to remember Allah. Every few minutes through the day, check your heart to see if you are remembering Allah.

Feel that Allah is near you, feel love for Him, feel fear for Him, feel Awe for Him, always be connected to Allah in some way.

5. Muraaqaba

“And remember of the Name of your Lord”

Isolate yourself mentally and physically from the world, make niyyah (intention) to forget the whole world including your own thoughts, worries and fears.
Remember Allah humbly, silently, secretly in the heart of your rooh (inner being).
Feel your Qalb (Heart) calling ALLAH ALLAH ALLAH.
This will help you in all your ibaadah (worship) outside muraqaba.

A Voice in the Heart

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Class of Quranic Studies. The Mualim had shared about listening to Allah and obeying Allah through intuition.

The young man couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Does Allah still speak to people through intuition? ‘

After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and they discussed the message. Several friends talked about how Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you’ll know it was Allah(SWT) Who has directed you.

It was about ten o’clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray,

‘Allah…If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.’

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud,

‘Allah is that you?’

He didn’t get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into his head.

‘Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.’

It didn’t seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge,

‘Turn Down that street. ‘

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street ..At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud,

‘Okay, Allah, I will.’

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst of neighbourhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something,

‘Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.’

The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

‘Allah, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.’

Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door,

‘Okay Allah(SWT), if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don’t answer right away, I am out of here.’

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man’s voice yelled out,

‘Who is it? What do you want?’

Then the door opened before the young man could get away.The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn’t seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep.

‘What is it? ‘

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk,

‘Here, I brought this to you. ‘

The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying.

The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying,

‘We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn’t have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah(SWT) to show me how to get some milk.’His wife in the kitchen yelled out,

‘I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel? ‘

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man’s hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that Allah (SWT) still answers prayers.

Always listen to the voice inside you, it is the VOICE OF ALLAH , always there guiding us.But do we listen to it?