From my readings it seems that most scholars believe that one should consult the heart or get a sign/vision/dream after the istikhara to determine the choice to be taken. But there are also other scholars who believe if one decides to do a certain thing or is inclined towards a certain course of action, after Istikhara one should go ahead with the intended action, trusting that Allah will choose what is best for him.In other words,the concept of Istikhara does not imply that one should wait for signs from God in taking one’s decisions.It only means that one should take one’s decisions and do whatever one think is right and then ask God that if the decision is the correct one, He should help us in carrying it out and making the plans successful, while if it is not the correct one, He should then alter the circumstances in such a way that one do not implement our decision, and that He should provide satisfaction to our heart in doing so. (But before istikhara one should consult knowledgeable and intelligent people whom he trusts, study the matter in depth and see which is the best course for him to take). Could you inform me the basis for the different views .Also,which one do you think is the closest to the truth & why.(By the way ,what is the stand of the imam mazhabs like Imam Hanafi,Shafie & salaf scholars,for example Ibnu Taimiyah ? )
STATUS OF DREAMS IN ISTIKHARAH
Firstly, one must understand that none of the narrations in the Ahadith have
any mention regarding a dream, or even about performing the ‘Istikharah’
before sleeping. However, some “Ulama do prefer that Istikharah be performed
before sleeping.
With regards to the person who does see a dream after performing
‘Istikharah’, this dream is just like any other dream that a person sees.
This means that just as other dreams fall under one of three categories
(which will be explained shortly), likewise will the dreams seen after
Istikharah1 be. It is reported in a Hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and
other books of Hadith that dreams are of three types:
1. Hadeeth-un-Nafs (imaginations)
2. ‘takhweefus shaytaan’ a dream instilled in the mind by shaytan. This also
known as ‘wasaaisu-us-shaytaan’ or ‘tahzeenu-us-shaytaan’.
3. ‘Bushraa minallaah’ True dreams, which are also known as ‘mubash-sharaat’
It is mentioned in a Hadith that the dreams of pious muminin (believers) are
generally true dreams.
Another Hadith states: “The most true dreams are those seen at the time of
Sahar (early dawn).
IS SALAH NECESSARY?
In some Ahadith that deal with ‘Istikharah’, mention has been made of two
raka’at, while others contain no mention of Salah before ‘Istikharah’. Since
the narration of Hadrat Jabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu) mentions the performance
of two raka’at before ‘Istikharah’, Allamah ‘Aini (RA) has stated that it is
Sunnah to perform two raka’at before ‘Istikharah’. In fact, the narration of
Abu Ayyub Ansari (Radhiallaahu Anhu) contains the following words: ‘Thumma
salli maa kataballaahu laka’
“Then perform how many rakaat Allah has destined for you” referring to the
fact that if more than two raka’at (whether 4, 6, 8 etc.) are performed, it
will be preferable. This narration of Hadrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (Radhiallaahu
Anhu) also mentions of the performance of ‘wudu’ properly before the Salah,
and praising Allah before the du’a.
However, since most of the narrations do not have any mention of Salah,
‘Istikharah’ will be correct by reciting the du’a only, especially when
circumstances do not allow one to perform Salah.
HOW MANY TIMES?
As far as performance of ‘Istikharah’ more than once is concerned, the
“Ulama have regarded it as ‘mustahabb’ i.e. preferable to perform it three
times. This is on the basis of the narration of Ibn Mas’ud (Radhiallaahu
Anhu) wherein he states that when Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)
made du’aa, he would repeat it three times.
However this is not a Sunnah in Istikharah as there has been no mention in
this regard in any of the Ahadith of Istikharah. As regards the narration of
seven times, due to it being an unauthentic narration, it cannot be used as
a basis for the establishment of any matter in Din.
THE SHORTEST FORM OF ISTIKHARAH1
In a ‘weak’ narration, Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) is reported to
have stated that whenever Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) intended
to do anything, he used to say:
“O Allah, destine good for me, and choose for me’
CONCLUSION
Lastly, one of the most important benefits of Istikharah is that it
strengthens a person’s connection with Allah. Through excessive Istikharah,
one learns to take directly from the treasures of our Creator, the Being in
whose hands lies all good and bad, benefit and harm. May Allah grant the
writer, the reader and the rest of the ummah the understanding of this great
and noble Sunnah.
From the above, it is apparent how easy Din has been made by Allah, and
actually we are the ones who have made Din difficult. Consequently, the
lifestyle that we follow causes us, as well as others, to believe that Islam
is a difficult way of life. However, Allah has kept comfort, contentment,
peace of mind and ease only in following His commands and the Sunnah of His
Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).
Now that we have learnt the importance of this great Sunnah, it remains our
responsibility to search for every other Sunnah, bring it into our lives and
take it to the rest of mankind. This was indeed the way of the Honourable
Companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and our pious
predecessors. May Allah grant us the towfiq to follow their noble footsteps,
Aameen.
by Shaykhul Hadith Moulana Fazlur Rahmaan Saheb