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istikhare
Question : On the internet, there are websites which allow you to do istikharah by the Quran. A supplication is first recited and then a random verse will be presented on clicking a button. Is it valid to do Istikhara in this manner?
Answer : It has been reported in some narrations to perform the Istikhara with the actual Quran just before offering the prayer. What you mention does not relate to this.
istikhara
Question : I had done Istikhara for a particular matter and I acted according to it then. However, after some time had passed the same issue arose again. If I act differently, will I be going against the Istikhara?
Answer : The original Istikhara was done according to the current circumstances then. The passage of time leads to different circumstances, so acting differently this time will not be considered going against the original Istikhara.
Istikhara
Question : Is there a specific time for doing Istikhara using the Holy Quran?
Answer : Some narrations determine the time of Istikhara using the Holy Quran to be during the time of the prayers.
Istikhara
Question : Is it permissible to rely on the result of the Istikhara and accept the man for marriage without the approval of the girl?
Answer : It is obligatory to seek the welfare of the girl and her acceptance is a must in marriage.
Istikhara
Question : Can an Istikhara be used to find the outcome of an event like marriage, contracts and business?
Answer : Istikhara is not for telling the future.
Istikhara
Question : In the circumstance of two people who are happy with each other’s religion and behaviors and there is no doubt in their minds of wanting to marry one another, would an Istikhara be required to try and find out if they should get married?
Answer : Istikhara is not obligatory but it was narrated that it is used when there is doubt in the person’s mind. Istikhara for marriage when the conditions are met does not correspond to what is reported in the narrations about accepting a person for marriage when the conditions are met. Yes. It is better to seek the goodness from the Almighty and depend on Him.
Istikhara
Question : If a man proposes to a woman and his faith and manners are good, is it then recommended or permissible to resort to Istikhara for the sake of knowing whether the marriage will be good or not or should the proposal be accepted on the basis of his virtue?
Answer : As long as the proposed man is religious and virtuous, it is better to accept him for marriage since the encouragement to accept such person is reported in many narrations, although it is permissible to refer to Istikhara.
Istikhara
Question : a) Is there any proof of Istikhara in the Sharia?
b) Is everybody allowed to do Isikhara for himself?
c) What are the rules of Istikhara and is it allowed to repeat an Isikhara for the same occasion?
Answer : There were narrations that explained the idea of Istikhara which is seeking goodness from almighty Allah when deciding to do a thing. This kind of Istikhara is the most common in the narrations. Books of narrations and supplications have explained certain ways to do the Istikhara.
Yes, it is apparent in some texts that Istikhara is seeking help in deciding the better position in cases of hesitance and uncertainty in finding out the best choice for a person. These narrations did not specify the person that must do the Istikhara, so anyone is allowed to do it themselves or to ask others.
There are no specific conditions for the Istikhara but it is supposed to be done when the right choice is unknown.
Then it is meaningless to repeat it after it has been done.
Depending on Istikhara
Question :

Since it is obligatory to follow the most knowledgeable Mujtahid, the most capable in deriving the religious laws from the appropriate sources. I’m unable to find Ahlul-khibra to refer to them in order to determine him. However I have found multiple Mujtahid who have all the necessary qualification to be followed in Taqleed. I want to be certain that a particular person is the most knowledgeable jurist of his time. Is it permissible to do Istikhara for such situation and would my Taqleed be correct?

Answer :

It is not permissible to depend of Istikhara to choose the right Mujtahid to follow. If they were equal in knowledge or you were not able to determine the most knowledgeable amongst them and when observing precaution - to guarantee that the religious obligations are fulfilled - is not a choice, one must choose the most God fearing amongst the most knowledgeable Mujtahids. If this was not possible, any one of them can be chosen to be followed.