“…And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (Qur’an, 65:3)
Istikharaah is when you ask Allaah to guide you to a path that is best for you regarding an affair in which there are two (or more) halal options. In matters that are waajib (obligatory), haraam (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked) there is no need to pray Istikharaah. Salaat-ul-Istikhaara should only be used for matters that are mubaah (allowed) or in matters that are mustahabb (liked or encouraged), for which one needs guidance in making a decision (i.e. going to grad school, getting married or geting a new job etc.).
Alot of cultures however, have submerged many cultural practices into how an istikhaara should be treated/followed. For example, many will pray salaat-ul-istikhaara, read the du'a.. and literally RUN to bed expecting to see a dream showing them some 'sign' within the dream. If not a dream, they'll expect to see a sign on a bus, or even a billboard to go by them on the highway with some 'message' plastered on it. That is NOT the purpose of this salaah. Istikhaara is not about having a dream or seeing a 'sign'. You've been given a brain to think and logic to understand alhamdulillah. Even psychologically speaking, if you're expecting a dream, that 'sign' or dream is more than likely to be whatever is in your subconscious.
Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah al-Salami (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
“The Messenger(peace be upon him) used to teach his companions to make istikhaara in all things, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Qur’an. He said: ‘If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:
Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi ‘aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri (or: fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni ‘anhu [wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi.
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) added that then the person should mention his need."
[Sahih Bukhari]
If we reviews the wording of the hadith, we finds that it is not asking for a dream, it is asking Allaah (Subhaanahu wa T'aala) to make one's affairs occur in the best possible way.
Many people don't realise that they should proceed with the intended action and not wait for a dream or sign. If a person proceeds with their intended action and nothing happens, then that itself is a sign that your isikhaara du'a was granted, and that the correct choice was made. Basically, you go by your inclinations, whether you are now more inclined to something or not. Also, you may notice events have changed, either for or against you. The results of an istikhaara MUST be followed, because not doing so is rejecting Allaah's guidance once you've asked for it.
May Allaah give us peace of mind about our matters and concerns, and grant us satisfaction in our affairs. *Aameen*
