Scholars’ Views on Istikhara

Question: What is your view on the principle of istikhara?

Answer: The case in which the religious legitimacy of istikhara is certain is when uncertainty remains after consultation.

Question: What is your view on istikhara with the Holy Quran?

Answer: It is permissible to rely on istikhara, but only after one has been unable to resolve uncertainty through reflection, consulting knowledgeable people, and seeking advice from family and friends. If uncertainty remains and one cannot give preference to one of two or more options, istikhara gives preference to one of them. It has no other function, such as revealing the unseen.

Question: What are the best times to perform istikhara?

Answer: After performing an obligatory or recommended prayer; the best time is before sunrise on Friday.

Question: How is istikhara performed with prayer beads?

Answer: It has been stated that it is sufficient to recite salawat (O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad) three times, then take hold of the prayer beads and count them in pairs. If two beads remain, the result is not good; if one bead remains, it is good.

Question: Do you recommend relying on istikhara in the matter of marriage?

Answer: There is no objection to it after reflection and consultation, if these have not resolved the uncertainty.

Question: Is istikhara performed when one is uncertain, or is it permissible in all circumstances?

Answer: The case in which its religious legitimacy is certain is when uncertainty arises and consultation is unavailable or does not lead to a conclusion.

Question: We are young women aged 25, 27 and 29. Whenever someone proposes marriage to us, our father resorts to istikhara. In most cases, the result is bad, and for this reason our marriages have been delayed. Is istikhara valid in this situation?

Answer: The father should not perform istikhara concerning his daughter’s marriage when a suitor who is a suitable match for her under Islamic law and customary standards comes forward, unless the daughter herself agrees. Istikhara is performed only in a matter in which a person has a choice under Islamic law. The father’s guardianship over his daughter lapses under Islamic law if he refuses to consent to her marriage to a suitable match.

Question: If the result of an istikhara is good, is it permissible not to follow it, for example by abandoning the matter?

Answer: Yes, it is permissible.

Question: Is it obligatory to act on the result of an istikhara?

Answer: There is no religious obligation to act on the result of an istikhara, but it is better not to act contrary to it.

Question: It is said that there is no need for istikhara in good deeds. Is istikhara permissible regarding how to carry them out, or regarding unforeseen difficulties that may arise while carrying them out? Is istikhara a way to gain knowledge of the unseen, or is such knowledge held by God alone?

Answer: Istikhara is intended to resolve uncertainty and hesitation concerning permissible actions, whether the uncertainty concerns the action itself or how to carry it out. Therefore, there is no need for istikhara in good deeds about which there is no uncertainty. Nor is istikhara intended to reveal the future of a person or an action.

Question: Is istikhara with the Quran valid in matters such as whether or not to request a divorce? If a person performs istikhara but does not act on its result, what is the ruling?

Answer: The permissibility of istikhara with the Quran or prayer beads is not restricted to any particular situation. It may be performed in any permissible matter about which a person is uncertain and hesitant to the point of being unable to make a decision. It is not religiously obligatory to act on its result, although it is better not to act contrary to it.

Question: Is istikhara with prayer beads or the Quran permissible in life-changing matters such as marriage?

Answer: When making a decision, a person should first reflect carefully or consult experienced and trustworthy people. If these steps do not resolve the uncertainty, the person may perform istikhara.

Question: Is it valid to perform istikhara several times for the same matter?

Answer: Since istikhara is intended to resolve uncertainty, repeating it after the first istikhara has resolved that uncertainty has no meaning, unless the subject matter changes.

Question summary: A reader asks why two marriages ended despite consultation, istikhara, reassuring dreams and a feeling of confidence.

Answer summary: Usmani describes the Sunnah method as two rak‘ahs followed by the istikhara supplication. He explains that istikhara is a prayer asking Allah to guide a decision: a dream is neither required nor binding evidence. Research and practical efforts remain necessary; relying on istikhara while neglecting them can lead to mistakes. Like other supplications, its acceptance is subject to conditions. In the reader’s case, he says the reason for the breakdowns is uncertain, and a marriage ending does not establish that the initial decision to marry was wrong. He also distinguishes benefit in this life from benefit in the hereafter.

Question summary: The question concerns someone who has repeated the istikhara prayer but has not seen any clear indication of its result.

Answer summary: Gomaa explains istikhara as asking Allah to facilitate what is good and keep harmful outcomes away. A dream giving instructions is not required. He identifies ease in proceeding as a sign: if the undertaking becomes accessible and its opportunities open, this points to good, Allah willing; if it proves difficult, he advises turning away from it.

Question summary: The question asks how to perform the istikhara prayer and whether its supplication comes before or after the closing salam.

Answer summary: Ibn Baz regards the istikhara prayer as a Sunnah practice. He describes two voluntary rak‘ahs, each with Al-Fatihah and any further Quran recitation that is easy. After the closing salam, the worshipper raises their hands and recites the reported istikhara supplication, specifying the matter, such as marriage or travel. The supplication asks Allah to make the matter possible and bless it if it is good for one’s religion, livelihood and eventual outcome; otherwise, to turn it away and grant goodness elsewhere and contentment with it. He cites the narration in Sahih al-Bukhari.