The istikhāra prayer
source: silsilat ul-hudā wa nnūr ~ the series of guidance and light ~ tape no.
206 (a), 664 (b), 426 (c)
*Question #10: (a) “What should the one making istikhāra[1]
prayer say if he has two affairs on the same level and does
not have an inclination toward either one, meaning 50-50?”
Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “What I understand from your
question is that he does not have an intention (to do
something),[2] therefore there is no istikhāra prayer upon him.”
*Question #10: (a) “Is the istikhāra prayer legislated for one
who is confused about doing something or is it legislated for
one who has made up his mind to do so?”
Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “No, the istikhāra prayer does not
remove confusion. Istikhāra prayer is (done) after a person
has made up his mind to do something; so here, istikhāra is
performed. Istikhāra prayer is not legislated for removing
doubt and uncertainty regarding a matter which the Muslim
has not made up his mind about.”
*Question #5: (b) “Is the duʽā (supplication) of istikhāra prayer
before the taslīm or after it?”
Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “After the taslīm.”
*Question #12: (c) “Is it allowed to repeat the istikhāra
prayer?”
Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “It is allowed if his istikhāra prayer
was not (performed in the way in which it is) legislated, and it
is enough for it to be not legislated if he makes istikhāra to his
Lord by (merely) his words, and not by his heart. And he
himself is aware of this inattentiveness, so then he is forced to
repeat (the istikhāra prayer). As for if he himself did not feel
any of that, then he has innovated (if he repeats it).”
~ asaheeha translations ~
[1] istikhāra means to seek (from Allāh) that which is best regarding something
2]صلى الله عليه وسلم ( ] this is in reference to the actual wording of the hadīth in which the Prophet (
said: “If one of you intends to do something, then let him pray two rakʽah, then say [the duʽā of
istikhāra];” Sahīh al-Bukhārī #6382
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