The istikhra prayer

The istikhra prayer

source: silsilat ul-hud? wa nn?r ~ the series of guidance and light ~ tape no. 206 (a), 664 (b), 426 (c)

*Question #10: (a) “What should the one making istikh?ra[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-Alb?n? answers: “What I understand from your question is that he does not have an intention (to do something),[2] therefore there is no istikh?ra prayer upon him.”

*Question #10: (a) “Is the istikh?ra 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-Alb?n? answers: “No, the istikh?ra prayer does not remove confusion. Istikh?ra prayer is (done) after a person has made up his mind to do something; so here, istikh?ra is performed. Istikh?ra 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 du?? (supplication) of istikh?ra prayer before the taslem or after it?”
Shaykh al-Alb?n? answers: “After the tasl?m.”

*Question #12: (c) “Is it allowed to repeat the istikh?ra prayer?”
Shaykh al-Alb?n? answers: “It is allowed if his istikh?ra 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 istikh?ra 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 istikh?ra prayer). As for if he himself did not feel any of that, then he has innovated (if he repeats it).”