Is Istikhara prescribed when there is no desire for the suitor, or is it specific to being concerned about and desiring the matter? Is it permissible to reject an undesirable suitor without Istikhara? What is the ruling on rejecting him due to an age difference and the long distance of the workplace?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
is legislated when one is hesitant about whether to do something or leave it, or when one is hesitant between two permissible matters. It is not legislated when one is certain about one of them.
Istikhara is recommended, not obligatory. Therefore, there is no harm in rejecting a suitor without performing Istikhara, though it is better to perform Istikhara when hesitant.
The suitor's old age or distant residence are not valid شرعية (Shar'i) reasons for rejection, especially if he is a person of good character and religious commitment.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/138883
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 138883
- 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