Why does the Du'a of Istikhara prayer include the conjunction "wa" (and), which denotes جمع (collection/combination), in the phrase "وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي، وعاقبة أمري" (If You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs), and not the conjunction "aw" (or), which denotes تخيير (choice/alternative)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Some scholars have stated that the waw (and) in this context means "or," but Ibn Allan refuted this view, explaining that the waw retains its original meaning. Ibn Allan indicated that the waw in good matters remains in its original sense, while in evil matters it means "or." Some later scholars commented that the waw retains its meaning in both instances, and that a wise person seeks good in all its forms and repels evil in all its forms. They added that when good and evil conflict, the ruling is for the predominant, and therefore, more attention is given to the aspect of repulsion.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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