Answer
Short Answer: Some scholars maintain that it is not permissible to offer istikharah prayer on behalf of others. However, some other scholars view that there is nothing wrong with offering istikharah on behalf of others. But, the best option is that one should offer the istikharah for himself first instead of asking others to do it for him. This is what the Prophet did and advised us to do. After offering the istikharah, one can ask close friends and righteous people to do it for him.
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Salam dear questioner,
Thank you for your question. Thank you also for your concern about your friend. You should be happy because your friend chose you to do istikharah for him. This means that you are very dear to him. So keep a very good relation with him and be always there to help him.
Choosing the Easier
Seize the opportunity and teach him how the Prophet reacted to cases where two options were offered to him.
Lady Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
“Never did Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) make a choice between two things but adopting the easier one as compared to the difficult one, but his choice for the easier one was only in case it did not involve any sin, but if it involved sin he was the one who was the farthest from it amongst the people.” (Muslim)
What Is Istikharah?
Istikharah simply means asking Allah for guidance. It is a sunnah prayer which the Prophet used to offer before undertaking any matter.
How to Pray Istikharah?
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah used to teach us the istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) in all matters as he would teach us a surah of the Quran. He used to say: “When one of you contemplates entering upon an enterprise, let him perform two rakahs of optional prayer other than the obligatory prayers and then supplicate: “Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as-‘aluka min fadlikal-‘azim. Fainnaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu, wa Anta ‘allamul- ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-‘amra (and name what you want to do) khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, (or he said) ‘ajili amri ajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal ‘amra (and name what you want to do) sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, (or he said) wa ‘ajili amri wa ajilihi, fasrifhu ‘anni, wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal- khaira haithu kana, thumma ardini bihi.” (O Allah, I consult You through Your Knowledge, and I seek strength through Your Power, and ask of Your Great Bounty; for You are Capable whereas I am not and, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and name it) is good for me in respect of my Deen, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs, (or he said), the sooner or the later of my affairs then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know this matter (and name it) to be bad for my Deen, my livelihood or the consequences of my affairs, (or he said) the sooner or the later of my affairs then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and grant me power to do good whatever it may be, and cause me to be contented with it). And let the supplicant specify the object.” (Al-Bukhari)
When to offer Istikharah?
Tell your friend that istikharah is offered only for permissible matters. He cannot offer istikharah for forbidden matters. For example, he cannot offer istikharah whether to have an illegal relation or not.
What to Do After Istikharah?
Some people think that they must see a vision or a dream after offering the istikharah prayer. This is incorrect. However, one must decide upon a course of action as long as his heart is inclined to a certain matter.
Istikharah on Behalf of Others
Some scholars maintain that it is not permissible to offer istikharah prayer on behalf of others.
However, some other scholars view that there is nothing wrong with offering istikharah on behalf of others. But, the best option is that one should offer the istikharah for himself first instead of asking others to do it for him. This is what the Prophet did and advised us to do.
After offering the istikharah, one can ask close friends and righteous people to do it for him.
Based on this understanding, you should advise your friend to offer the istikharah prayer himself first, then you can do it for him.
We hope this answers your query.
And Allah knows best.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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