Does a strong desire for divorce not to occur contradict seeking Allah's guidance (istikharah), and does istikharah require absolute submission and ceasing supplication and insistence?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A woman is forbidden from seeking divorce without a legitimate reason, and divorce is disliked () except when reconciliation becomes impossible. (seeking guidance from Allah) is not performed for forbidden () or disliked (makruh) matters. Therefore, if seeking divorce is without a reason, Istikhara for it is impermissible. However, if there is a reason, Istikhara is permissible unless there is a strong desire to remain. The one performing Istikhara should entrust the matter to Allah and clear their heart from leaning towards either of the two options.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/194849
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 194849
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy