Question:

I am considering someone for marriage and I am slightly confused in regards to my istikhara. Initially, the first time I met the brother, I was not sure whether I wanted to pursue marriage with him or not, however that night I prayed istikhara and the following morning i genuinally felt peace enter into my heart. Hence i took this as a positive sign. Even though i have prayed istikhara several times since, sometimes i feel very apprehensive and doubtful as to whether i should pursue this, but after praying istikhara i feel peace in my heart again. I do not know whether these aprehensions are waswasa or inspiration from Allah (swt) that perhaps i shouldn't pursue marriage. Also I am slightly confused as to how i should interpret my istikhara, because i remember a scholar saying that istikhara has very little to do with feelings (as they keep on changing) it is just about asking Allah for khair in whatever you intend to do; it is just a dua'a. So does the peace after istikhara really indicated that the marriage will be good for me?

Answer:

On doing the Istikhara Prayer a person sometimes sees a dream telling him/her what to do, and some times one gains that resolution and peace in the heart you mention. Thus the initial sign you received seems to be the correct one, and you are right that if a person dwells on the issue for a long time hesitations will naturally occur. Having said this, in marriage you should, until the marriage is finalized, continue to do the Istikhara and also pray the Prayer of Need (Salat al-Hajah).

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

Please remember us in your Duas...

The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.