Is there a specific number of times for the prayer of istikharah, or does a person keep making istikharah until he resolves on the matter?
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The questioner : Is there a specific number of times for the prayer of istikharah, or does a person keep making istikharah until he resolves on the matter? For example, regarding istikharah for marriage, do I keep making istikharah at all times until the marriage contract is completed? We have posed this question to you.
The Shaykh : The prayer of istikharah is not prescribed at all times; rather, it is prescribed when a person intends to do something and hesitates about it. In that case, he prays two rak'ahs and makes the supplication of istikharah. Accordingly, we do not tell a young man, "From the moment you desire marriage, pray istikharah every day or every hour," for this is not prescribed; rather, it is a religious innovation (bid'ah).
However, when a person intends to marry and wants to propose to a woman but hesitates about the matter, he prays two rak'ahs and seeks the choice of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). If a matter becomes clear to him, that is what is sought. If no matter becomes clear to him and he remains confused, he repeats the istikharah again until Allah grants him permission to proceed. And if he proceeds after the istikharah, that is from the choice of Allah for him.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : The prayer of istikharah is not prescribed at all times; rather, it is prescribed when a person intends to do something and hesitates about it. In that case, he prays two rak'ahs and makes the supplication of istikharah. Accordingly, we do not tell a young man, "From the moment you desire marriage, pray istikharah every day or every hour," for this is not prescribed; rather, it is a religious innovation (bid'ah).
However, when a person intends to marry and wants to propose to a woman but hesitates about the matter, he prays two rak'ahs and seeks the choice of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). If a matter becomes clear to him, that is what is sought. If no matter becomes clear to him and he remains confused, he repeats the istikharah again until Allah grants him permission to proceed. And if he proceeds after the istikharah, that is from the choice of Allah for him.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.