Istikhara & Consultation

عن جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ، يَقُولُ: «إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ، ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي، وَمَعَاشِي، وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي» أَوْ قَالَ: «عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي» أَوْ قَالَ: «فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي» قَالَ: «وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَه».

When a Muslim intends to undertake something where the correct course is uncertain, it is prescribed for him to perform the Istikhārah prayer. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) this prayer just as he would teach them a Surah from the Qur’an. One should pray two Rak‘ahs other than the obligatory prayer and then supplicate Allah, saying: "O Allah, I consult You" asking for success in choosing the better of the two options, and I ask You "for Your knowledge" that is extensive and encompasses everything, "and I seek strength from You" to make me capable as I have no might or strength except through You "for Your power" as nothing can escape You. "And I ask You of Your great bounty" and Your extensive benevolence, as Your bounty is a favor from You and none is entitled to any blessing from You. "Indeed, You are capable" of everything, but I am weak and powerless "and I am not" capable of anything except with support from You. "And You know" with Your comprehensive knowledge that encompasses the hidden and the manifest, the good and the evil "and I do not" know anything except with Your favor and guidance "and You are the All-Knower of the unseen" as You possess ultimate knowledge and decisive power, while none has such power or knowledge except what You decree or grant. Then the Muslim supplicates his Lord, mentioning his specific need by saying: "O Allah", I have entrusted my matter to You, so "if You know" in Your knowledge of this matter "and let him name his need", such as buying this house, purchasing this car, marrying this woman, or any other matter. If it has already been decreed in Your knowledge that this matter contains "good for me in my religion," which protects my affairs, "my livelihood," in this world, "and the outcome of my affairs," or he said: "in my immediate and future affairs," both in this world and the Hereafter, then "decree it", prepare it, and complete it "for me," and make it smooth and "easy for me," " and then bless it for me", increasing the good within it. "And if You know", O Allah, "that this matter" I have sought counsel for is "evil concerning my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs—or he said: in my immediate and future 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 content with it," accepting all of Your decrees, whether it pleases or displeases me.

• The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was extremely keen on teaching his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) this prayer because of the great benefit and immense good it contains.
• It is recommended to perform Istikhārah and to recite the prescribed supplication afterward.
• Istikhārah is recommended in permissible matters regarding which there is hesitation. It is not in obligatory or recommended actions, as they are to be performed in principle. However, one may seek guidance regarding aspects related to these, such as choosing companions for ‘Umrah or Hajj.
• One does not make Istikhārah for performing what is obligatory or recommended, nor does one seek counsel when it comes to refraining from what is prohibited or disliked.
• The supplication is to be recited after the prayer, as indicated by the Prophet's words: "And then say…", but if it is recited before Taslīm, there is no harm.
• One must refer all matters to Allah and must renounce reliance on his own power and strength, as he has no power or strength except through Allah.

صحيح البخاري (8/ 81) (6382). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 43). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (10/ 133). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (4/ 158). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 593).

عن تميم الداري رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ» قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: «لِلهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ».

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that the religion rests upon sincerity and truthfulness, to be observed as Allah ordained, in a perfect manner without shortcomings or deception. It was said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): To whom should sincerity be? He said: First: Sincerity should be to Allah Almighty: by performing deeds sincerely for His sake, not associating partners with Him, believing in His lordship, divinity, names, and attributes, venerating His command, and calling people to believe in Him. Second: Sincerity should be to His Book, namely the noble Qur’an: by believing that it is His speech and the last book revealed by Him and that it superseded all the legislations before it - and by revering it, reciting it correctly, acting upon its definite verses and accepting its ambiguous ones, defending it against the misinterpretation of those who seek to distort it, heeding its lessons and admonitions, spreading its knowledge, and calling people to it. Third: Sincerity should be to His Messenger Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): by believing that he is the last Messenger, believing him in all that he came with, observing his commands and prohibitions, worshiping Allah only according to what he came with, venerating and revering him, spreading his call, disseminating his Shariah, and negating the accusations leveled against him. Fourth: Sincerity should be to the leaders of the Muslims: by helping them in what is right, not fighting them over power, and hearing and obeying them in what is pleasing to Allah. Fifth: Sincerity should be to the Muslims: by showing kindness to them, calling them to Allah, averting harm from them, wishing good for them, and cooperating with them in righteousness and piety.

• The Hadīth commands us to be sincere to everyone.
• Sincerity occupies great status in the religion.
• The religion comprises beliefs, words, and deeds.
• An aspect of sincerity is to rid oneself of deception toward the one to whom sincerity is addressed and to wish good for him.
• The Hadīth highlights the Prophet's good approach to teaching, as he would briefly mention something and then explain it in detail.
• First things first. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began with sincerity to Allah, then to His Book, then to His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then to the leaders of the Muslims, and then to the common Muslims.

صحيح مسلم (1/ 74) (55). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثا النووية (ص21). شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص115). شرح النووي على مسلم (2/ 37).