Is marriage a written destiny, and what is the wisdom behind the Istikhara prayer? Does not praying it affect predetermined good or warding off evil? Could what happened to the questioner—his marriage and his wife's death five years later—have been averted by Istikhara?

He who seeks refuge in his Lord, entrusts his affairs to Him, and asks Him for what is best, is bound to be guided to what is good for him and what rectifies his affairs, even if he dislikes it outwardly. This is in accordance with His, the Almighty’s, saying: "But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not." And if he does not do so and relies on his own ability, he may succeed or he may err, and he should not say: "If only I had done such and such," but rather say: "It is the decree of Allah, and what He willed, He did." For everything happens by Allah’s decree and will, and His will is carried out: "He is not questioned concerning what He does, but they will be questioned." The reality of Tawheed (monotheism) is not complete except by pursuing the means that Allah has established, and means do not yield results except by His permission.