Why is the conditional particle used in the prayer of istikharah, even though Allah (Mighty and Majestic) knows what is in the earth and what is in the heavens, and nothing is hidden from Him?
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The questioner : It is mentioned in the supplication of istikharah: Question: Why is the conditional particle used in His saying: Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 even though Allah (Mighty and Majestic) knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth and what is between them, and He, Glorified and Exalted is He, has nothing hidden from Him in the earth or in the heavens? Please give us a ruling, and may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment:
This condition mentioned in the supplication of istikharah:Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 is countered by His saying: Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 This implies that Allah the Exalted is aware of either this or that; He knows that it is good or He knows that it is bad.
As for the human being, he does not know, but he entrusts the matter to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in this supplication: Thus, this is not knowledge conditioned by a condition, but rather the knowledge of Allah the Exalted encompasses everything, whether it is present, past, or future, as Musa (peace be upon him) said: [Taha 20:52].
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge and I seek Your power by Your power – up to His saying – O Allah! If You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair, then make it easy for me
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك وأستقدرك بقدرتك - إلى قوله - اللهم! إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فيسره ليAllahumma in kunta ta'lamu
اللهم إن كنت تعلمThe Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment:
This condition mentioned in the supplication of istikharah:
Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu
اللهم إن كنت تعلمWa in kunta ta'lamu anna ha-dha-l-amra sharrun li
وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا شر ليAs for the human being, he does not know, but he entrusts the matter to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in this supplication:
If You know that it is good or if You know that it is bad
إن كنت تعلم أنه خير أو إن كنت تعلم أنه شر[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ لا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلا يَنسَىThe questioner : May Allah bless you.