Asslamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatoh

What is Istikhara?

Istikhara, in Arabic, means 'to seek khair' and is done for things that are mubah, in which a person is confused whether to do it or not to do it. For eg., purchasing a house is mubah...when a person is confused whether to buy it or not he consults with Allah to know if purchasing it is 'khair' for him or not.

But when things revolve around wajib, mustahabb, makruh or haram...one cannot take out istikhara, because these issues are beyond the scope of istikhara as their hukm has already been decided -
Wajib: Must do;
Mustahabb: Better to do;
Haram: Must not do;
Makruh: Better not to do.

Details on Istikhara

Istikhara is a sort of seeking guidance from Allah SWT, when you are unable to decide about a lawful matter. Istikhara is not to be done for each and every thing because it was not intended for that purpose. Usually we should use our common sense and AQL/intellect and weigh things properly, to decide about them, However, for any reason or under any circumstances, if we are unable to make a decision, then we can seek the help of Allah SWT by doing Istikhara.

It is not right to make Istikhara more than once for the same matter, if the details have not changed, and such extra Istikhara’s are invalid.

Among invalid Istikhara is any Ishtikhra done for a matter involving wajib or haram, because we don’t have the right to disobey Allah SWT by omitting wajib and committing haram, even if istikhara says that, simply because that Istikhara, is basically invalid.

Regarding the result of valid istikhara, is it compulsory to act upon it? The answer is no, it is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended.

Usually those who act against the advice of any valid Istikhara, face bad consequences.