Question:Is using the phone apps for Istikhara valid?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the types of Istikhara that are not mentioned in our reliable books are invalid. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible to go against Istikhara if you want something like buying a house, and Istikhara shows that buying the house is not good, but you specifically want this house and cannot go against Istikhara because it may harm you? Should you give charity and then buy the house, or charity may not remove the harm because some say that whoever goes against Istikhara will not succeed in life, and charity will not remove the harm? Or is it better to take Istikhara again in case it turns out good?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible to do Istikhara twice for the same matter, as the wise person, when seeking advice from a wise person, should not seek advice again if the wise person advises against it. Allah is the Guide.

Question:Is it permissible to take Istikhara for buying a house or trade or for marriage?

Answer:In the name of Allah, My son, I have not forbidden anyone from taking Istikhara for anything other than marriage. Perhaps I will take Istikhara for my own affairs and for the affairs of others if they ask me to do so. Our scholars have written books on the subject of Istikhara. As for Istikhara in the matter of marriage, you want to propose to a girl the sacred sharia has allowed you to ask about her and to see her without a veil. If someone proposes to your daughter and the suitor meets the required conditions, then the sharia commands you to marry him to her. Taking Istikhara in such a matter is a rejection of the command of the sacred sharia. So, reflect on this. The narrations that command Istikhara for the sake of marriage refer to praying two rak'ahs as mentioned in the books of supplications. The intention is not to take Istikhara with a rosary or other means. Allah is the Guide.

Question:When the result of Istikhara is "no" or "not good", when is it permissible to repeat the Istikhara prayer for the same matter?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible for you to do so. You sought the counsel of the Knower of the unseen in an action, and He prevented you. Therefore, it is not permissible for you to reconsider and attempt to seek permission for the action from which He has prevented you. Allah is the Guide.

Question:What is the ruling of seeking Istikhara using the holy Quran according to the way mentioned in Biharul Anwar? The way is as such: Opening: Sheikh Imam Al-Khateeb Al-Mustaghfiri mentions in his supplications in Samarqand: if you want to be optimistic by Quran, you can recite the Sura of Ikhlas three times and then pray on Muhammad and his family members three times, and say: [allahuma tafaelt bikitabat wa tawakaltu alaik, faarini min kitabak mahowa maktoom min siraka almaknoon fi ghaibak ]. Then, open the full Quran and take the first line of the first side without counting the pages or lines. This is how it is narrated about the Messenger (PBUH&HF)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there is no objection to that. Allah is the all guide and Knowing.

Question:I have sought Istikhara by the Quran for a certain issue and I have found the verse indicating that I should not do the issue. Is there anything which is not found in the verse that I should pay attention to?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised, my son, that Istikhara means to consult Allah. Is there a mindful person who consults or seeks advice from Allah and works otherwise?! Then, why to seek Istikhara? You should definitely be penalized for this. It is not on your own. Should you have consulted a physician and disobeyed him, you would not have been healed. How could this matter be if it is with Allah? May Allah guide you. Allah is the all Guide.

Question:If I seek Istikhara but I have done otherwise, what is the penance that I should pay?

Answer:In the name of Allah, you have made a mistake in what you have done. You have sought Alla’s advice, but you have not worked as it says. The act itself, if it has no religious prohibition, is not problematic. Allah is the all Guide and Knowing.

Question:I have heard your fatwa concerning Istikharah that it is not permissible to seek Istikhara for marriage and other purposes. I would like you explain how come that Istikhara has been mentioned in many hadeeths of Ahlulbait (PBUT) as long as it is not permissible?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised, my son, that I have not prevented seeking Istikhara in other than marriage. I myself seek Istikhara for myself and others if I were asked. Our scholars have written books on the narrations concerning seeking Istikhara. As for seeking Istikhara in marriage, if you want to propose to a girl, the religion allows you to ask about her and to see her without hijab. If one proposes to your daughter and he meets all the conditions and requirements, the religion orders you to accept. Seeking Istikhara in such an issue means that you reject the orders of the religion. Please, contemplate in this. The narrations about seeking Istikhra is to pray two rakat as mentioned in the books of supplications. It does not mean to seek Istikhara by using the rosary or other ways. Allah is the all Guide.

Question:What is the ruling of seeking good omen in the Holy Quran as mentioned in Biharul Anwar 1? The way is: Sheikh Imam Mmustaghfiri in Samarqand in his supplications saying that if you want to seek good omen in Holy Quran you can recite the chapter of Ikhlas three times, say “peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his family” three times and then say: “O Allah I started with Your book and trust in You, so show me the secrets of Your book. Afterwards, open the Quran and take the good omen from the first page in the first line without counting the papers. This is how it was brought to the Messenger (PBUH&HF) to explain “Al-Jami Al-Quran Al-Tam” for all chapters and verses of Quran.

Answer:In the name of Allah: There is no objection to this issue. Allah is the all Helper and all Knowing.