I have performed Istikhaarah Namaaz seeking guidance on a particular matter, but I have not received any clear directive from my Istikhaarah.

Answer

The reality of Istikhaarah is to seek advice and guidance from Allah Ta'ala. While obtaining clear directive as an effect of Istikhaarah is a reality, there are also impediments which blur the 'advice' and 'directive' received from Allah Ta'ala. The 'directive' arrives in a dream or by inspiration or by way of a strong inclination towards the angle which should be adopted. These media of transmission are spiritual avenues. When the channels are strewn with impediments, transmission is impeded and even blocked. Even in the physical world, turbulence interferes with movement and transmission. Nowadays, the spiritual channels of even pious persons are blocked.

There is a preponderance of evil which contaminates and corrodes our spiritual faculties. Too much sin enters the soul via the tongue, eyes and ears. Almost everyone today is involved in much zina, especially zina of the eyes. We read slut magazines and filthy newspapers. Our eyes relish on the filth we see and read in these evil papers. Our eyes, ears and heart are spiritually soiled and destroyed with the filth we ingest daily from the television and the radio. The voices of ghair mahrams, interaction with them, be it in some supposedly 'lawful' activities, the gheebat we speak, the futility in which we indulge, the injustices we commit, the rights of others we trample on, the malice and envy we harbour, the family ties which we sever for no valid Shar'i reason, the family ties which we retain in acts which are haraam and displeasing to Allah Ta'ala, etc., etc., etc., all clog our spiritual channels. How then are we able to receive inspiration and directives with clarity via our spiritual channel?

With all the spiritual contamination and corruption in which people indulge, they are expecting too much and displaying AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1437 / JUNE – JULY 2016

irrationalism when they expect to receive inspirational directives with a clarity enjoyed by the Auliya and Saaliheen.

When making Istikhaarah, do it with the intention that it is a Masnoon practice and the hope that Allah Ta'ala will channel you into the right direction. Reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the contemplated act. Seek advice from pious and experienced persons regarding the matter. Then after having made Istikhaarah, make a sincere and fervent dua for Allah's assistance and guidance. Then adopt the course which your intelligence says is the best.