Fatwa: 41

Category: fatwas about prayer

Repeating the prayer of Al-Istikhâra

The question:

Is it permissible to repeat the prayer of Al-Istikhâra (guidance prayer)? Is this considered among insisting on Du`â' (invocating Allah)?

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

The prayer of Al-Istikhâra is legitimate without any divergence among scholars. Moreover, I do not know any proof that Al-Istikhâra prayer may be repeated for the same matter for which the person had an intention to perform the prayer, and wanting good in its accomplishment or in its non-accomplishment. Nevertheless, it is permissible to repeat Al-Istikhâra prayer for a related part to the same matter, as the related parts to the matter are different. If the person asks Allah’s guidance, he should, after it, do the matter he feels at ease with, without relying on a previous feeling of ease in which there is a desire as regards the matter.

It is permissible to repeat the invocation in the same Istikhâra prayer, as it is reported in Sahîh Muslim that “When the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم made Du`â' (invocation) he would repeat it three times”⁽¹⁾.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.