1a. Salat-ul-Istikhara

1a.
(The explanation of the Imam that is given is very lengthy and takes a
great effort to explain. Alhumdulillah I am in theprocess of
completing the translation of this article which I will post in the
near future, Insha Allah.)
In brief, the scholar mentions that if one is tobelieve that this
prayer isthat of guidance that it deems necessary to believe that
Allah's guidance is always correct as He has complete knowledge.
However, we see many atimes that the confusion still remains after the
prayer and therefore it means that the promise from Allah was not
fulfilled and through Istikhara one did not achieve what one was
promised; and it is impossible for Allah to command of something and
then not have that order achieve its results.
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi recalls one pious saint from the Shafi'ee
group (which the author cannot recall) who mentioned an amazing
insight about Salaat-ul-Istikhara. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, after
mentioning this scholar'samazing explanation, says himself that he is
more inclined towards the Shafi'ee explanation of Istikhara and that
this is the more correct opinion.
Explanation
With this view if we takeinto account the above issues and confusion
thatoften occurs, the confusions still remaining and facing
difficulties in the path the one took, we can say that Istikhara is a
Du'aa and all Dua'aas are accepted by Allah but it is not necessary
that it be in this world or immediately. Therefore, not receiving
clarificationwould mean that Allah has accepted our Dua'aas(as He has
promised to do so) but He has not answered it immediately,or that He
will give us a greater reward for this supplication in the Hereafter.
Similarly, if we face difficulties in a chosen path it could have the
same explanation as above or that Allah will shortly give us goodness
in the matter we have chosen.
Benefits of this Second View
If one takes this second view into account then one will be able to
make use of worldly means in able to make his decisionand remove his
confusion regarding the matter. Istikhara will be a supplication from
Allah Ta'ala to help him in his decision and to give him goodness it
whatever he chooses to do, whilst taking aid from the mediums will
help resolve his confusion andassist him in making a decision.
Conclusion
We have been instructed by the Prophet SallallahuAlayhi Wa Sallam to
perform the Istikhara prayer whenever we make decisions in our life,
especially when we make some major decisions in life. Therefore, we
should always make an effort toperform this prayer of Istikhara,
whether we see it as a way in receiving guidance or whether we perform
it as a supplication.
Furthermore, we should always use the mediums that Allah has placed in
this world to aid us with removing our confusions.The world has been
referred to as "Darul Asbaab" (the place of mediums) and it is the
wisdom of Allah that in order to acquire anything or even receive
anything from Him we need to use the means and mediums that Allah has
placed within this world.
Finally, we should alwaystrust in the decisions thatwe take through
the guidance of Allah and those that we take after supplicating to
Him; His mercy is infinite and though Allah may shower His mercy with
delay upon us, through His own wisdom, but He will surely guide us and
aid us through those matters that we have taken with hope of His help
and guidance. As the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam advisedus in
the final words of the Du'aa, "and make mecontent with it", we should
remain content with the decision we took with trust in Allah.
May Allah bless us with divine guidance from Himself and may He give
us the understanding to make the correct decisions and may He put
goodness in whatever He chooses for us to do. Aameen./

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