Facts and Misconceptions about Istikhara Prayer

Facts and Misconceptions about Istikhara Prayer

In the previous post we discussed the basics of Istikhara Prayer and the way to perform it.  If you haven't read it, please go through it first.

In this post we will be discussing the misconceptions or myths that revolve around Istikhara Prayer. This is a very important topic so please read till end.

MISCONCEPTION 1 
 "I should Ask Someone Else to do Istikhara on my behalf"

I often hear people say, "How can I perform Istikhara when I do not even pray all my daily prayers sincerely"  or  "I do not have enough knowledge of deen, I better ask someone else to do it for me"

Some people believe that it is required of them to have a certain kind of ilm (knowledge) in order to perform Istikhara on their own. So they ask others who they think are more pious than them to perform it on their behalf. 

This is an erroneous belief.

Look at the following hadeeth.

Narrated by Jaabir Ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنه, "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to teach us the way of doing istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Surats of the Quran."

(Sahih Al Bukhari, 

At Tirmidhi)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not tell his companions that he will do Istikhara on their behalf though he had more knowledge than them. Instead, He taught people to do it for themselves. Then I do not understand where does this concept come from.

Fact - If a matter is concerning you, then it is you who should perform Istikhara on your own, not your parents, not an alim, not anyone else on your behalf.

It is  MUSTAHAB (recommended) to offer this prayer on your own with regard to travel, study, marriage, job and for all other affairs.   

Misconception 2 
"A Dream or a Sign is the Answer to my Istikhara"

Some other common phrases we get to hear are- "I dreamt of black colour so this thing is not right for me" or "I did Istikhara before sleeping but I did not have any dream."

Many people think that a DREAM is the "deciding factor" when it comes to the answer to this prayer. This however is NOT true.

What you should understand is that dreams are sometimes the result of your subconscious thoughts.

So lets say for example, you have made your mind that white colour signifies one path and black colour signifies the other. you are then most likely to dream of that which YOU think is good for you and not what ALLAH سبحانه وتعالى knows is good for you.

In the second scenario, if you are neutral about a matter,y may not have any dream at all.

Fact - Do not expect a dream, sign or inclination towards one path. Allah عزوجل encourages you to offer Istikhara and take your own decision. If the matter becomes easier, then go ahead with it. If it becomes difficult, then turn away from it.

Misconception 3 
 "I should Pray Istikhara only before sleep"

This is related to the previous point. Some people believe that Istikhara should be performed at night before going to sleep and one should turn his/her face towards the qiblah while sleeping or sleep on the right side.

There is clearly no evidence to prove any of these claims.

Fact - You can offer Istikhara at any time of the day except during the prohibited times of prayer. Though, some scholars are of the view that Istikhara can be prayed during these times when it's an urgent matter and you can't delay it. 

Misconception 4 
 "I should pray Istikhara only before marriage or Important decisions"

Most people wait for that big moment of their lives to pray Istikhara. This should not be the case. We saw in the hadeeth above that it can be prayed regarding all our matters.
So the next time you are planning to write that exam or travel to a place, pray Istikhara and then proceed.

Fact - You can pray Istikhara for all your matters. Its worth-mentioning that you should not pray Istikhara for the things that are obligatory, disliked or forbidden. For example, you need not make Istikhara before planning for hajj.

Misconception 5 
"I need to repeat the Istikhara 7 times" 

This concept comes from a hadeeth which is reported as daeef jiddan (very weak). This means the hadeeth or the chain of narrators therein are so weak that it cannot be taken as a reference. Read this post if you are interested in learning more about it.

Fact - You may perform your Istikhara just once or you may repeat it as many times as you like. There is no specific limit stated in the sunnah.

Misconception 6 
 "I should do Istikhara without taking other measures"

Yet another common practice is that people tend to ignore the importance of enquiring. They do not make much efforts to know the background of a person or a thing. They don't make use of resources. 

No doubt, Istikhara is an important part of making a decision because it is consultation with The Lord of the Worlds. However, one should also look clearly into the evidences and information that is available  and not turn a blind eye to it by pleasing one's own whims and desires.

Fact - Make use of all your resources before making a decision. Of course, this includes the Istikhara Prayer too.

Misconception 7 
 "My Istikhara went wrong" 

Though placed as last, this is infact the most important point that often goes neglected.

Have you ever heard anyone complain that they did Istikhara before marriage but the marriage did not work? I am sure you did because I have heard of many such instances.

To answer this, one should go back and look into the actual meaning of the dua. Refer to this post.

You are certainly asking Allah to facilitate a thing if it is good for your religion, your present or your end. You are not asking Allah to facilitate it if it is going to work for you.

That person leaving your life may perhaps be the best thing for your religion and you may not know it. You may have become a better Muslim or a difficulty of your present or aakhirah might have been warded off. Who knows except Allah سبحانه وتعالى?

Fact -  Sometimes you are immediately able to see the positive results of a calamity. While at other times you have to wait and be patient. Whatever it takes, have a firm belief in the decree of Allah and you will soon enjoy the fruits of your Sabr.

These were some of the major misconceptions about Istikhara Prayer. I hope with this post we have been able to debunk those myths.

Implement and share the khayr !