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If a matter for which one has performed the الاستخارة (prayer for guidance) has not yet come to pass, despite the acceptance that a similar matter concluded after performing الاستخارة, does this mean that the first matter holds no good, and why has the heart not turned away from it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars have differed regarding what the one performing Istikhara should rely upon after it. The preponderant view is that he should proceed with the matter and not abandon it unless Allah diverts him from it. If a servant is sincere in his Istikhara and entrusts his affair to Allah, then Allah will choose what is best for him and will turn his heart away from the matter if He wills to divert him from it. If the heart remains attached to the matter after Allah has diverted it, this may indicate a weakness in sincerity during Istikhara and a shortcoming in entrusting the matter to Allah. The one performing Istikhara should empty his heart of thoughts and not be inclined towards any specific outcome. He should completely abandon his own choice and entrust the matter to Allah, accepting whatever Allah decrees for him, certain that what has befallen him was not meant to miss him, and that Allah knows best what is good for him.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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