Istikhara What is the concept of Istikhara according to Qur'an and Sunnah . If someone sees something in the dream after doing Istikhara , how valid -- reliable -- is it. Should it be followed? Obviously we do Istikhara with the intent to see something in dream that Allah SWT wants us to do (traditional concept). After the end of Nabuwwah (divine revelation) does such a dream qualify as Basharat (the only thing left of divine revelation). Reply The Arabic word ' Istikhara ' means to ask Allah for whatever is good. The supplication that the Prophet (pbuh) taught us for the purpose of Istikhara is a very beautiful one, but it does not have anything in it that suggests that the person asking Allah for the good ( Mustakhir ) shall be given a sign in any dream. If you look closely at the words of this supplication (in case you do not have the words of the supplication with you, do let me know, I shall be glad to send you its Arabic words and its translation), all they imply is that whenever I have a decision to take, or have taken a decision, I should pray to Allah that if the consequences of this decision are in my favor, in this world as well as the hereafter, He should help me in carrying out the decision. On the other hand, if the consequences of this decision are not to my benefit, in this world or in the hereafter, He should remove all inclinations from my mind to implement such decision, and satisfy my heart and soul in doing so. My dear brother, God has given man the faculty of reasoning. He should take his decisions in the light of the apparent pros and cons of the alternative choices. He should not, in any case, base his decisions on dreams. As should be clear from the above explanation, the concept of Istikhara does not imply that we should wait for signs from Allah in taking our decisions; it only means that we should take our decisions and do whatever we think is right and then ask Allah that if our decision is the correct one, He should help us and carrying it out and making our plans successful, while if it is not the correct one, he should alter the circumstances in such a way that we do not implement our decision, and that he should provide satisfaction to our heart in doing so. In other words, Istikhara is the declaration of our belief that all things are in the control of Allah and that we, as His humble servants submit to all His decisions, even when we are made to alter our plans because of His decisions. I hope this helps. In case anything requires further elaboration, please feel free to write back. Regards The Learner