Answered by: Maulana Tahsin Alam
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I would like to know if you should do Istekhara for health treatments like surgery that doctors say is necessary. I did Istekhara for my knee replacement and it was a no. So I cancelled it. Alhamdulillah, I am walking well without any pain and now I’m also exercising. One Aalim told his relative you should not do istekhara for things the doctors recommend as they are experts.
I have always done Istekhara for my cancer treatment and Alhamdulillah Allah Ta’ala has guided me. I’m recovering well. Please, can you clarify this for me? Jazakumullahu khairan. Wassalam.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Istikhārah is only done for actions which are of a mubāḥ (permissible) nature, such as when to travel, what to buy or which house to purchase etc. It is not done for actions which are farḍ or wājib (obligatory), nor in deciding whether or not to perform ʿibādah (worship), one may decide when it is the best moment for performing a voluntary act of worship through istikhāra (such as when to travel to ʿumrah etc.). Keeping in mind that performing good actions as soon as possible is desired and istikhārah is not required for every matter within a person life. The Prophet SAW has said, “when one of you is troubled by a matter (in another narration: when you want to decide a matter) then he should perform two rakaʿāts, then ask Allāh SWT (with the duʿā of istikhārah).”[1]
As for the treatments regarding your health, you should listen to the advice of your trusted doctor as they are knowledgeable of what is needed for your wellbeing. Taking care of one’s health is farḍ and should not be taken lightly. The word of a trusted, reputable doctor is sufficient in this regard.
Only Allah Ta’ala knows best
Written by Maulana Tahsin Alam
Checked and approved by Ustadha Siddiqa
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] ʿAqīl ibn Sālim, Ṣalāh al-Istikhārah Masā’il Fiqhiyyah wa Fawā’id Tarbawiyah (Riyadh: Dār Kunūz Ishbīliyah, 2010) pg. 18.