Time and time again we find ourselves faced with multiple options, only for us to sit back, and say ‘I’m not sure,’ or ‘I don’t know.’ It’s is only human for us to be indecisive when given choice. In fact, seldom are we sure of the future, or of the options presented to us.

For the only One that can ever be sure of anything is Allah, because He is Al-Aleem, the All-Knowing. He has knowledge of the past, the future, hidden, and the open. He knows it all inside out. He knows the consequences of our actions, the significance of our inaction and the results of our reactions. He is the Omniscient, the All-Wise.

Before the advent of prophet hood the Arabs would cast arrows or lots, visit soothsayers and fortune tellers before making an important decision. All of these methods have been forbidden because they involve putting your trust in other than Allah. As Allah says, “prohibited is that you seek decision through diving arrows.” (05:03) The arrows are of our own making, the soothsayers and fortune tellers are merely liars in disguise. If Allah alone knows all, then should we not entrust our affairs to him?

Allah says, “when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” (03:159) We have established that we should have complete reliance on Allah once we have made a decision. But how do we make a decision in the first place?

Having doubt with regards to a course of action can be mind boggling. It can cause restlessness and unnecessary agitation. So why not put your trust in Allah right from the start? It is reported that the sahabahs would make istikhara for something as simple as buying shoelaces! It may seem weird to say the least…but think about it. How do you know that laces is good for you? Or that it will last? The manufacturer and shop keeper might say it will last, but if Allah decides otherwise, then, if it will break, it will break. And there is no way to stop the qadr of Allah.  But if you seek Allah’s counsel in the matter, whatever happens is His will. If the laces breaks it happened for a better good that results. Perhaps you would have tripped over it had it been intact? Who knows?!

Istikhara, is prayed before doing things that are allowed. Obviously you do not have a choice with regards to waajib; you have to do it, and anything haram, you have to abstain from it. So for those two there is no decision to be made. The Prophet (Saw) told us, “the halaal is clear and the haram is clear.” (Bukhari and Muslim) There is no option or istikhara with regards to the obligatory and forbidden.

Jaabir ibn Abdillah reported that the Messenger of Allah (Saw) used to teach his companions to make istikhara in all things, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Quraan. He (Saw) said, “If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pay two rakaahs of non-obligatory prayer then say, ‘O Allah, I seek Your guidance, 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 and I have none. You know and I know not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then the person should mention the matter) is good for me in my religion, in my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs (in this life and in the hereafter) 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 my religion, my livelihood, and the consequences of my affairs (in this life and the hereafter) 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.”

This duaa, clearly illustrates a servants’ need for His Lord. Allah alone is in control of our affairs, he knows what is best for us. He says in the Quraan, “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you.” (02:216) We do not know what the future holds, everything rests in His hands.

Duaa can be made for anything, and everything, even your shoelaces!

Bibi Zainab Dowlut,