The Prayer for Guidance in a Decision (Istikharah) on Behalf of a Sick Woman and Its Manner
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Sister Asma says: Shaykh, is it permissible for a woman to pray the prayer for guidance in a decision (istikharah) on behalf of her sick sister while she is in bed? And what is the manner of the prayer for guidance in a decision?
Answer:
Delegation does not apply to istikharah. The prayer of istikharah, and prayer in general—whether obligatory or voluntary—does not allow for delegation because it is a physical act. Since it is a physical act, the sick woman prays according to her condition. While she is on her bed, she prays two rak'ahs, just as she prays the obligatory prayer on her bed if she is unable to pray elsewhere. Likewise, if she wants to pray the two rak'ahs of istikharah, she prays them according to her condition and makes the supplication afterward. No one may pray on her behalf in this matter.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you,
Sister Asma says: Shaykh, is it permissible for a woman to pray the prayer for guidance in a decision (istikharah) on behalf of her sick sister while she is in bed? And what is the manner of the prayer for guidance in a decision?
Answer:
Delegation does not apply to istikharah. The prayer of istikharah, and prayer in general—whether obligatory or voluntary—does not allow for delegation because it is a physical act. Since it is a physical act, the sick woman prays according to her condition. While she is on her bed, she prays two rak'ahs, just as she prays the obligatory prayer on her bed if she is unable to pray elsewhere. Likewise, if she wants to pray the two rak'ahs of istikharah, she prays them according to her condition and makes the supplication afterward. No one may pray on her behalf in this matter.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you,
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/208 — archive.org (5:14)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.