Is the prayer for guidance (istikharah) recommended in Hajj, and what are the matters in which it is recommended?
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The questioner : Is the prayer for guidance (istikharah) recommended in Hajj? And what are the matters in which it is recommended?
The Shaykh : The prayer for guidance (istikharah) is prescribed in every matter in which a person hesitates. For example, if he hesitates whether to perform Hajj this year or not, he may perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah) if we say that Hajj is not an immediate obligation. However, if we say that it is an immediate obligation, then it is obligatory for him to perform Hajj without the prayer for guidance (istikharah).
Likewise, matters in which there is no hesitation do not require the prayer for guidance (istikharah). Do we say that if a person intends to pray, he must perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah)? No. Do we say that if he intends to have lunch, he must perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah)? No.
The prayer for guidance (istikharah) is for when a person is hesitating. Therefore, he says in the supplication for guidance (du'a' al-istikharah):Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 Yes.
The Shaykh : The prayer for guidance (istikharah) is prescribed in every matter in which a person hesitates. For example, if he hesitates whether to perform Hajj this year or not, he may perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah) if we say that Hajj is not an immediate obligation. However, if we say that it is an immediate obligation, then it is obligatory for him to perform Hajj without the prayer for guidance (istikharah).
Likewise, matters in which there is no hesitation do not require the prayer for guidance (istikharah). Do we say that if a person intends to pray, he must perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah)? No. Do we say that if he intends to have lunch, he must perform the prayer for guidance (istikharah)? No.
The prayer for guidance (istikharah) is for when a person is hesitating. Therefore, he says in the supplication for guidance (du'a' al-istikharah):