Source: silsilat ul-hudaa wa nnoor – the series of guidance and light – tape no. 206 (a), tape no. 664 (b), tape no. 426 (c)
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*Question #10: (a) “What should the one making istikhaara[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-Albaani (rahimahullaah) answers: “What I understand from your question is that he does not have an intention (to do something),[2] therefore there is no istikhaara prayer upon him.”
*Question #10: (a) “Is the istikhaara 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-Albaani answers: “No, the istikhaara prayer does not remove confusion. Istikhaara prayer is (done) after a person has made up his mind to do something; so here, istikhaara is performed. Istikhaara 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’aa (supplication) of istikhaara prayer before thetasleem or after it?”
Shaykh al-Albaani answers: “After the tasleem.“
*Question #12: (c) “Is it allowed to repeat the istikhaara prayer?”
Shaykh al-Albaani answers: “It is allowed if his istikhaara 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 istikhaara 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 istikhaara prayer). As for if he himself did not feel any of that, then he has innovated (if he repeats it).”
[1] istikhaara means to seek (from Allaah) that which is best regarding something
[2] this is in reference to the actual wording of the hadeeth in which the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If one of you intends to do something, then let him pray two ra’kah, then say [the du’aa of istikhaara]“; Saheeh al-Bukhaari #6382
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asaheeha translations
AbdurRahman.Org 