More than seven decades later, Pakistan still bears the scars of its confused foundation.

He ate pork, drank alcohol, couldn’t speak Urdu, had no connection to the Quran, and didn’t even know the Kalma. Yet, because he bore a Muslim name and wore the garb of political leadership, Mohammad Ali Jinnah rose to prominence and led the movement that birthed a new nation—Pakistan—with the full blessings of British colonial rule.

Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam. But the man who led its creation was far from a practicing Muslim. Jinnah’s lifestyle mirrored that of an English-educated barrister: refined suits, cigars, and Western social norms. He neither lived by Islamic principles nor claimed to understand them deeply. When someone once asked him the meaning of the Kalma, he reportedly shrugged it off with the words: “I am a political leader of Muslims, not a cleric or religious scholar.”

Yet today, he is revered in Pakistan as Qaid-e-Azam—the Great Leader. His image is printed on currency notes, his speeches are quoted in schoolbooks, and his vision is routinely invoked in national debates. But how fitting is that title when the man himself lived a life far removed from the very faith he claimed to represent?

The contradiction at the heart of Pakistan’s creation is not just ironic—it is deeply consequential. When a country is born claiming a religious identity, yet its founder is disconnected from that religion, the confusion seeps into every layer of national life. It becomes a country where Islam is invoked not as a guiding moral force, but as a political tool. Where slogans are louder than substance. Where identity is built on emotion rather than ethical clarity.

What kind of example does that set for future generations? How can a people reconcile a faith-based nationalism with a founding figure who lived by anti-Islamic standards?

Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has struggled to answer these questions. The country has oscillated between military dictatorships and fragile civilian governments, between radical Islamism and half-hearted liberalism. Minorities have faced persecution, sectarianism has grown deep roots, and the vision of unity under Islam has fractured into violent ideological battles.

Jinnah’s legacy plays a central role in this national confusion. To some, he is a visionary who protected Muslim interests in a Hindu-majority India. But to others, he remains a symbol of political opportunism—someone who used the Muslim identity to achieve a personal goal and left behind a nation with no clear ideological direction.

His early death, just a year after Pakistan’s birth, only amplified the ambiguity. Without his presence, competing forces pulled the country in different directions, each claiming to act in his name. Some insisted he wanted a secular Pakistan. Others claimed he dreamed of an Islamic state. The truth? He likely wanted whatever served his immediate political needs.

More than seven decades later, Pakistan still bears the scars of its confused foundation. It is a country where Islam is both everywhere and nowhere—present in slogans, but absent in governance and justice. It is a country where the founding myth glorifies a man whose private beliefs were at odds with the nation’s supposed mission.

This is not just a matter of historical debate—it is a living contradiction that defines the Pakistani identity to this day. Jinnah may have delivered a country, but he left behind no compass. His legacy is not one of clarity or conviction, but of ambiguity and bloodshed.

In the end, the story of Pakistan’s creation is not just about the formation of a new state—it’s a lesson in what happens when religious identity is exploited for political ambition. A nation built on such shaky ground may rise, but it will always tremble under the weight of its contradictions.

True devotion is measured not only by how we pray, but also by how we uphold the dignity of our surroundings

As the crescent moon of Ramzan 2025 fades, we reach the conclusion of a deeply spiritual journey. This is a time of gratitude, renewal, and profound introspection. We have fasted, prayed, given charity, and sought closeness to Allah. But have we also paused to reflect on the unintended impact of our worship on those around us? Have our actions, meant to bring us nearer to God, inadvertently created hardship for others?

Too often, our religious enthusiasm spills into public life in ways that disrupt daily routines. Our devotion should be a source of harmony, not inconvenience. If our prayers, gatherings, and celebrations cause public distress, are we truly embodying the values of Islam?

The Changing Landscape of Ramzan: Congested Mosques and Blocked Roads

During Ramzan, our mosques transform overnight. Once sparsely filled, they overflow with worshippers, forcing many to pray on the streets, blocking traffic, and creating chaos. Hasty parking of bikes and cars worsens the problem, making already narrow lanes impassable. In our eagerness to fulfill religious obligations, do we pause to consider the inconvenience to pedestrians, emergency vehicles, or those simply trying to pass through?

The moments before Iftar should be filled with gratitude and calm. Yet, in many areas, they bring chaos. People rush to buy food, crowding markets and streets. Roadside Iftar parties block pedestrian paths and disrupt traffic. Worse, we often leave behind a trail of discarded plastic plates, cups, and food waste, turning our surroundings into a mess. Is this the discipline and cleanliness Islam teaches?

Taraweeh prayers are among the cherished practices of Ramzan. But when held in public spaces or amplified over loudspeakers, they disturb those seeking rest. In the last ten nights, Qiyam-ul-Layl extends into the early hours, further disrupting neighbors. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed us to lower our voices in prayer if it might disturb others. If even Quranic recitation should be quieted for consideration, should we not rethink how we conduct our night prayers?

Ramzan is a time of heightened generosity, with many distributing ration kits, Zakat, and food. Yet, unorganized charity efforts often create overcrowding, long queues, and public disorder. A well-intended act of kindness should not lead to chaos or distress.

Laylatul Qadr is a night of immense spiritual reward, but for some, it has become an excuse for reckless behavior. Youth engaging in dangerous bike stunts force authorities to close flyovers and deploy extra police personnel. What should be a night of devotion instead places an undue burden on law enforcement. Staying awake in worship should not translate into actions that harm public order.

Islamic Teachings on Consideration and Responsibility: Respecting Public Spaces

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly forbade blocking public pathways for prayer. A sahih hadith graded by Albani highlights the importance of keeping pathways clear. Worship should not come at the cost of inconvenience to others.

The Quran instructs us to balance our voices in prayer (Surah Al-Isra 17:110). If even Quranic recitation should be kept moderate, how much more should we be mindful of loudspeakers at night?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A Muslim is one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe.” (Sahih Bukhari). Our worship should reflect this principle, ensuring that our presence in public spaces does not become a source of hardship for others.

Islam mandates respect for neighbors. Disturbing their sleep with loud prayers is not an act of devotion but of negligence. We must ask ourselves: are we embodying the spirit of Ramzan if our actions cause distress?

Faith and Civic Responsibility

Islam is not just about personal worship but also about our duties to society. Our faith calls us to be disciplined, just, and considerate. This aligns with laws meant to maintain public order, including:

• Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 – Limits loudspeaker use, especially at night.

• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 – Prohibits obstructing roads and pathways.

• Section 133 of CrPC – Prevents public nuisance and unauthorized gatherings.

The Quran reminds us:

“O you who have believed, fulfill your contracts.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:1)

This extends to our social contracts—upholding laws that govern noise control, traffic management, and public safety.

Striking a Balance: Worship with Wisdom

Ramzan should deepen our connection with Allah while strengthening our role as responsible members of society. We can fulfill our religious duties without creating disorder. Practical changes include:

• Organized Worship: Mosques should manage crowd control, ensuring that prayers do not spill into streets.

• Eco-Friendly Iftar: Community meals should be planned with waste management in mind, minimizing litter.

• Responsible Taraweeh: Limiting loudspeakers and ensuring prayers do not disrupt neighbors.

• Structured Charity: Distributions should be well-coordinated to avoid unnecessary crowding.

• Discouraging Reckless Behavior: Community leaders must actively address youth engaging in dangerous activities during Laylatul Qadr.

True devotion is measured not only by how we pray, but also by how we uphold the dignity of our surroundings and the well-being of those around us.

As we step beyond Ramzan, let our worship continue—not just through prayer, but through our everyday actions of respect, discipline, and kindness.

The comments by Hassan Nasrallah came in a video address to tens of thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashoura, a Shiite holy day commemorating the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein.

Nasrallah often uses religious occasions to send political messages to followers, and on Saturday slammed recent incidents in which the Quran was burned or otherwise desecrated at authorized demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark.

He said Muslims should watch for the outcome of an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, scheduled to take place in Baghdad on Monday to discuss the organization’s response to the Quran burnings.

The organization and its member states should “send a firm, decisive and unequivocal message to these governments that any repeat of the attacks will be met with a boycott,” Nasrallah said. If they do not, he said, Muslim youth should “punish the desecrators.”

He did not elaborate what such a boycott and punishment should entail.

Members of the crowd, who carried banners with religious slogans alongside the flags of Hezbollah, Lebanon and Palestine, chanted, “Oh, Quran, we are at your service; Oh, Hussein, we are at your service.”

Shiites represent over 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims and view Hussein as the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Hussein’s death in battle at the hands of Sunnis at Karbala, south of Baghdad, ingrained a deep rift in Islam and continues to this day to play a key role in shaping Shiite identity.

Millions of Shiite Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world on Friday commemorated Ashoura, while Saturday marked the culmination of the observances in countries such as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala, where Hussein is entombed in a gold-domed shrine. In the streets of the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, mourners gathered to watch reenactments of the Battle of Karbala and Hussein’s death.

In the streets, young men clad in black and white slashed their heads with swords and knives to demonstrate their grief. Friends swabbed each other’s heads with tissues and handed each other water.

In Syria’s capital, Damascus, the crowds were mourning not only the death of Hussein but a deadly attack in the suburb of Sayida Zeinab, home to a shrine to Zeinab, the daughter of the first Shiite imam, Ali, and granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

A bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded there on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens more. On Tuesday, another bomb in a motorcycle had wounded two people.

On Friday, the Islamic State group — a Sunni militant group that often targets Shiites — claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying Thursday’s bombing came “during their annual polytheistic rituals.” The group’s extreme interpretation of Islam holds Shiite Muslims to be apostates.

The Quranic verses recited were from Surah Ar-Rahman, which translates to the chapter of “The Most Merciful” in English. The recitation began with the phrase “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim,” which means “In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate”. This phrase is commonly recited at the beginning of many Islamic rituals and is a reminder of the importance of mercy and compassion in Islam.

The verses recited specifically were verses of Surah Ar-Rahman. These verses are often recited in times of success and are meant to express gratitude towards God for his blessings. The verses also emphasize the importance of seeking forgiveness and mercy from God.

The meaning of the verses are as follows:

The recitation of Quranic verses at the inauguration of India’s new Parliament building is a reminder of the importance of inclusion, tolerance, and respect for different cultures and religions. It is a recognition that India is a diverse country with different faiths, and each one of them deserves equal respect and recognition.

Ministry tweeted that, “In implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the ministry has started sending the fourth batch of gift amounting to 32,700 copies of the Holy Quran in various sizes, and translations of the Holy Quran from the publications of King Fahd Complex for Printing Quran to the Republic of Kenya, bringing a total of 59,450 copies”.

In April 2021, Kingdom began shipping 1.2 million copies of the Holy Quran in various sizes and 21 languages to 29 countries around the world as part of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques’ gifts program.

King Fahd Complex produces about 10 million copies a year, and it has published 55 different translations of the Quran in 39 languages. The complex has made over 128 million books of the Quran since 1985, which is fully accepted by all sects of Islam.

Saudi Arabia is revered in the Muslim world for its incredible services in promoting the message of Quran and Prophetic Hadiths, and the moderate principles of Islam.

After Mohammed bin Salman’s appointment as a crown prince, Kingdom has been relentlessly working to protect the values of Islam by promoting moderation and mutual coexistence, against extremism and terrorism.

Meem Magazine recently claimed that Saudi Arabia has removed Quran studies from schools. This dubious propaganda operation was done by a team of hardliners based in Tunisia and Turkey.

After investigating the magazine’s Facebook page, it shows that a sponsored team based in these countries along with France, carried out this misguiding story. While the other stories of the magazine carry pro-Muslim Brotherhood propaganda.

It’s goes without doubt why such paid influence operations are very often carried out against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its leaders.

The reality is, Saudi government has merged multiple Islamic subjects into one single book, and introduced five new science subjects as well—to keep the students up-to-date with the scientific developments.

Saudi schools will teach English language starting from Grade-1, while digital skills, social studies, physical education, self-defense from Grade-4 onwards.

However, this information has been misconstrued, and lied upon by the Meem Magazine.

Ibtisam Al Shehri, spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, confirmed in the Ya Hala show on Rotana TV that, among the curriculum development was the merging of Islamic education subjects, including jurisprudence, hadith and interpretation into one book.

The education ministry has not shunned teaching Islamic subjects. But in order to introduce other competitive subjects, the ministry has merged different Islamic subjects into one subject.

For example, in O-Levels and Intermediate, Pakistani students prefer Pakistan Studies instead of History, Geography, Constitution of Pakistan, Leaders of Pakistan, etc. separately. And, they learn Islamiyaat as one subject instead of five different subjects.

Saudi Gazette published a report that, the Ministry of Education added new subjects such as English language, digital skills, social studies, physical education, self-defense, and the latest decisions in developing curricula for all educational levels in public education, were the inclusion of sign language in the (family education and life skills) curriculum.

Classes related to activity and vocational training have also been added, including “Mus’haf Madrasati” which is specialized in teaching the Holy Quran to help students with special needs to learn.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has banned extremist literature of Muslim Brotherhood, and the government has ordered to remove the texts which speak about sectarian divides.

These steps taken by the Saudi government have given a major blow to the extremist groups and their affiliates. Hence, they resort to negative influence operations against the Kingdom—which is very often done by touching the emotional threads of the Muslim community.

The hardliners understand the psychology of Muslims that a Muslim would feel offended if he is told that a Muslim government like Saudi Arabia has banned the teaching and learning of God’s final revelation. Moreover, it becomes easy for the radical sects to exploit these emotions for their political purposes.

The matter is plain and simple unless a person chooses to fall into the trap of disinformation.

Zahack Tanvir is a Saudi-based Non-Resident Indian. He is an IT Consultant, Computer Engineer, and also holds Dip. in Journalism from London. He is the founder of MilliChronicle. He often writes and tweets against political Islam. He can be followed under @ZahackTanvir.

Afreen Baig is an independent political analyst on the contemporary issues of Middle-East and the Arab World. She writes for The Milli Chronicle. She can be followed under @afrenebege.

Islam honours women greatly. It honours women as mothers who must be respected, obeyed and treated with kindness. Pleasing one’s mother is regarded as part of pleasing Allaah. Islam tells us that Paradise lies at the mother’s feet, i.e. that the best way to reach Paradise is through one’s mother.

And Islam forbids disobeying one’s mother or making her angry, even by saying a mild word of disrespect. The mother’s rights are greater than those of the father, and the duty to take care of her grows greater as the mother grows older and weaker. All of that is mentioned in many texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah Prophetic traditions). 

For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents” .[al-Ahqaaf 46:15] 

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’”. [al-Isra’ 17:23, 24]

Ibn Maajah (2781) narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Jaahimiah al-Sulami (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad (battle) with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?”  I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her.” Then I approached him from the other side and said: O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?”  I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her.” Then I approached him from in front and said, O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?”  I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her (lit. stay by her feet), for there is Paradise.” 

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah. It was also narrated by al-Nasaa’i with the words: “Stay with her for Paradise is beneath her feet.” 

Al-Bukhaari (5971) and Muslim (2548) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: A man came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, who is most deserving of my good company?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Then your father.” 

And there are other texts which we do not have room to mention here.  

One of the rights which Islam gives to the mother is that her son should spend on her if she needs that support, so long as he is able and can afford it. Hence for many centuries it was unheard of among the people of Islam for a mother to be left in an old-people’s home or for a son to kick her out of the house, or for her sons to refuse to spend on her, or for her to need to work in order to eat and drink if her sons were present. 

Islam also honours women as wives. Islam urges the husband to treat his wife in a good and kind manner, and says that the wife has rights over the husband like his rights over her, except that he has a degree over her, because of his responsibility of spending and taking care of the family’s affairs. Islam states that the best of the Muslim men is the one who treats his wife in the best manner, and the man is forbidden to take his wife’s money without her consent. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “and live with them honourably”. [al-Nisa’ 4:19] 

“And they (women) have rights similar (to those of their husbands) over them to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”. [al-Baqarah 2:228]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to treat women well.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 331; Muslim, 1468. 

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3895; Ibn Maajah, 1977; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

And Islam honours women as daughters, and encourages us to raise them well and educate them. Islam states that raising daughters will bring a great reward. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection,” and he held his fingers together. Narrated by Muslim, 2631. 

Ibn Maajah (3669) narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink and clothes them from his riches, they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. 

Islam honours women as sisters and as aunts. Islam enjoins upholding the ties of kinship and forbids severing those ties in many texts. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people! Spread (the greeting of) salaam, offer food (to the needy), uphold the ties of kinship, and pray at night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3251; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. 

Al-Bukhaari (5988) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, may He be exalted, said to the ties of kinship: ‘Whoever upholds you, I will support him, and whoever breaks you, I will cut him off.’” 

All of these qualities may co-exist in a single woman: she may be a wife, a daughter, a mother, a sister, an aunt, so she may be honoured in all these ways. 

To conclude: Islam raised the status of women, and made them equal with men in most rulings. So women, like men, are commanded to believe in Allaah and to worship Him. And women are made equal to men in terms of reward in the Hereafter. Women have the right to express themselves, to give sincere advice, to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and to call people to Allaah. Women have the right to own property, to buy and sell, to inherit, to give charity and to give gifts. It is not permissible for anyone to take a woman’s wealth without her consent. Women have the right to a decent life, without facing aggression or being wronged. Women have the right to be educated; in fact it is obligatory to teach them what they need to know about their religion. 

Anyone who compares the rights of women in Islam with their situation during the Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic days of ignorance)or in other civilizations will understand that what we are saying is true. In fact we are certain that women are given the greatest honour in Islam. 

There is no need for us to mention the situation of women in Greek, Persian or Jewish society, but even Christian societies had a bad attitude towards women. The theologians even gathered at the Council of Macon to discuss whether a woman was merely a body or a body with a soul. They thought it most likely that women did not have a soul that could be saved, and they made an exception only in the case of Mary (Maryam – peace be upon her). 

The French held a conference in 586 CE to discuss whether women had souls or not, and if they had souls, were these souls animal or human? In the end, they decided that they were human! But they were created to serve men only. 

During the time of Henry VIII, the English Parliament issued a decree forbidding women to read the New Testament because they were regarded as impure. 

Until 1805, English law allowed a man to sell his wife, and set a wife’s price at six pennies. 

In the modern age, women were kicked out of the house at the age of eighteen so that they could start working to earn a bite to eat. If a woman wanted to stay in the house, she had to pay her parents rent for her room and pay for her food and laundry. 

See ‘Awdat al-Hijaab, 2/47-56. 

How can this compare to Islam which enjoins honouring and kind treatment of women, and spending on them? 

Secondly: 

With regard to the changes in these rights throughout the ages, the basic principles have not changed, but with regard to the application of these principles, there can be no doubt that during the golden age of Islam, the Muslims applied the sharee’ah (Islamic law) of their Lord more, and the rulings of this sharee’ah include honouring one’s mother and treating one’s wife, daughter, sister and women in general in a kind manner. The weaker religious commitment grew, the more these rights were neglected, but until the Day of Resurrection there will continue to be a group who adheres to their religion and applies the sharee’ah (laws) of their Lord. These are the people who honour women the most and grant them their rights. 

Despite the weakness of religious commitment among many Muslims nowadays, women still enjoy a high status, whether as daughters, wives or sisters, whilst we acknowledge that there are shortcomings, wrongdoing and neglect of women’s rights among some people, but each one will be answerable for himself.

The state project that has been promoted by the Palestinians is not an Islamic. Rather, they advocate a secular state, and they adopt communist and leftist ideologies of atheistic origins…

The negative perception of non-Muslims about the laws of Sharia is a result of the wrong understanding that some misguided Muslims espouse, especially those who tend to extremism and terrorism, due to a deep ignorance of the rules of Sharia. These misguided have caused their extremist tendencies to offend Islam and Muslims and to show Sharia law in an inhuman manner by altering and falsifying sacred texts and not realizing its linguistic indication and contexts.

Sharia has established that preserving lives and property of people as a primary principle of top priority through clear sacred texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Therefore, through the Palestinian Cause and other persistent hotbeds of tension throughout Muslim regions around the world, it seems clear that completely misinterpretation, misinformation and obvious wrong ideas are clearly and primarily in violation of this basic principle of Islamic law.

One of the great and miraculous issue about Islam is that despite the well-established belief system, divine moral values, general and specific rules, detailed controls, it does not contradict modernity, science, or coexistence with non-Muslims and good entertainment. In fact, there are many texts in the Qur’an and the Sunnah that encourage continuous logical thinking, keep learning, contemplation, improvement of living conditions, and the pursuit of peace and stability.

Salafism as a title has been misused and some ignorant Muslims have been using it as a sect. Well, it’s not a sect. It’s the original objective methodology in which the original Islam relies on. It relies on the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the pure understanding of the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him, his companions and the earlier righteous Muslims and their following righteous Muslims. Salafism represents objectivity which is the cornerstone, which Islam was designed by Allah Almighty to fulfill, in order to transcend injustice, sectarianism, racism and extremist patterns, and to help people to avoid excessive patterns of deception, alter religious sacred texts using them in other than their specific indications and contexts.

Most what so-called (Islamic countries) are lagging behind in the fields of stability, security, infrastructure, development, economy, thought and culture. Nevertheless, “some” of governments and peoples of these countries are devoted to giving the Saudis lectures on what should or should not be done. While Saudi Arabia ranks 18th in the G20, and is ahead of many of G20 in many developmental aspects, such as competitiveness and ease of business, ranks 25th in the world in patents, and It has low crime rates. According to some study centers, Saudi Arabia is considered the fifth most powerful country in the world.

Misguided Muslims have been constantly hostile to Saudi Arabia, which is the only state in the world that embraces Sharia as the only source of legislation and embraces monotheism and prohibits manifestations of polytheism, while most of the so-called (Islamic) countries embrace secularism. Well, the case here is that the Saudi authentic objective methodology always has been exposing the various twisted patterns.

Because of ignorance and fanaticism, misguided Muslims do not care about monotheism and Sharia as a supreme objective criteria, they ignore the legitimate Islamic priorities, and they do not focus on extricating their countries and societies from polytheism, secularism, sexual immorality, alcohol and backwardness. That would keep them busy the rest of their lives if they would be seriously interested in the true Islam.

Rather, they engage in subsidiary issues or issues that are outside their legal and Islamic authority, or issues that are not considered central in the first place.

Palestine, Kashmir, Uighurs, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Somalia

Miserable failure to adhere to Islamic objectivity (Salafism: the original Islam) is what sparked these countries and turned them into complex issues and fiery conflict areas.

Well .. their country’s system does not embrace the most important and first of Islamic principle, monotheism and Sharia, and your country ranks at the back globally in various lists and you do not show respect for (Saudi Arabia G20), the only country that embraces both monotheism and sharia systematically and popularly. So how could they claim that they truly care about Islamic causes? Rather, how could they claim that subjects they’re interested in, are pivotal Islamic causes?

Unfortunately, the misguided Muslims think in a distorted way as if they seek to condemn Islam through their practices and intellectual patterns, as they show more concern for the Palestinian cause than for the security and safety of Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, the Qibla, the cradle of revelation, the resting place of the Great Prophet Mohammad (PPBUH), the only country that embraces monotheism and Sharia.

Rather, misguided Muslims keep attacking Saudi Arabia and other Muslims, they constantly antagonize and incite against it, they rejoice in every threat it faces, under false titles and fake arguments – they claim to be Islamic – while their titles and arguments actually contradict the simplest Islamic rules.

How could these misguided people claim to be Muslims? How could they boast about their fake interest in Islamic causes? While they do not celebrate the first and most important Islamic principle (monotheism and Sharia).

This is the biggest symptom of the disease, Islamic Illusion that afflicted many Muslims around the world.

No one claims that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is perfect, for this did not and will never happen except with the Messenger Mohammad (PPBUH), but it’s the best model as a state in this age in implementing the priorities of Islam, such as monotheism and Sharia, doing its best to serve Muslims, the guests of the Lord at Hajj and to serve the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It has NO relations with Israel at all.

Many Muslims look for the illusion of the caliphate by glorifying the defunct Ottoman state that had many polytheism manifestations and it persecuted Muslims and non Muslims, as it built and glorified the graves and shrines and did not care about monotheism, Sharia, the two holy mosques and knowledge – The Ottomans issued a fatwa prohibiting printing books, as it cared to extend its authority, and all its sultans did not perform the obligatory of Hajj.

Even greater, there’re the new Ottomans who glorify Turkey, a country that – constitutionally – espouses secularism, prostitution and sexual immorality, and is full of graves and shrines that have been worshiped, and has the best relations with Israel.

And misguided Muslims today are ready to support the terrorist polytheist regime (Iran) and its terrorist gangs in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, only because they hate monotheism and Sharia, and they carry out and promote hatred against Muslims, especially against Saudi Arabia, the only country that embraces monotheism and Sharia.

Are they really Muslims?

Some Muslims today are ready to blame (Saudi Arabia) for their failure to shoulder their local Islamic and national responsibilities, while their countries are mired in ignorance, polytheism, secularism, extremism, terrorism, hatred, lying, fraud, deception, aggression, backwardness and moral decay.

On a large scale in the so-called (Islamic world), by misguided Muslims, false accusations are continuously being propagated against Saudi Arabia of Zionism and being an agent and that it is a Western intelligence fabrication.

Well, think about as a real Muslims or normal human being with fine logic: is it possible that non-Muslims would establish monotheism and the Sharia? Would non-Muslims build a state that embraces monotheism and Sharia and support it?

Also, many misguided Muslims or fake Muslims like to describe the Saudis as Wahhabis, the evil stigma was invented by the Ottoman occupation hostile to the Arabs because the Arabs have been fighting back and expelled the Ottomans, and because of the monotheism is the profound ground of Saudi Arabian state since its inception in 1744, and they like to describe the Saudis with various inappropriate descriptions that express the extent of racism and distance from Islam.

Let me tell you frankly: misguided Muslims are thus the best soldiers of Satan ever, because they do not respect monotheism and Sharia, they do not respect (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) the only state that embraces them, they do not stop attacking it, and they have not built a state that can be rival to deserve such respect even from purely materialistic aspect.

Do they accept to live this stupidity and naivety?

Islam for peoples and individuals is a comprehensive system of lifestyle that relies first on monotheism (the first absolute value), then on the pillars of Islam, then on Iman (solid faith) and behavioral controls, under a broad value system regulated by general objective rules called (the legitimate purposes).

The legitimate purposes are:

• Protecting Islam (which is based on monotheism first).
• Protecting life of people.
• Protecting mind.
• Protecting offspring.
• Protecting money and property.

Well .. how many countries that:

• Establish monotheism constitutionally and popularly and prevents polytheism?
• Puts protection of lives as a priority over material interests?
• Protects the mind from alcohol, drugs and destructive ideas?
• Protects money and property with right regulations, good infrastructure and sustainable development?
• Criminalizes adultery and sexual immorality?

These are the first priorities in Islam.

Then the following priorities, which are the distribution and hierarchy of roles and responsibilities in Islam, that can sustain the individual, the family, the society and the state to be safe. For the man is the responsibilities of his family to be well taking care of, then for the woman is the responsibilities of her inside family issues to be well taking care of, the minister in the ministry, the manager is in a sector, the businessman or woman in his/her establishment or company and so on. The king, the president or the supreme leader is responsible The firsr for the state and the people to be well taking care of.

And every people – as individuals or as a whole – are responsible for their state, independence and borders, according to the prevailing laws locally. The Pakistani is not responsible for what happens in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi is not responsible for what happens in Egypt, the Emirati is not responsible for what happens in Lebanon, and the Moroccan is not responsible for what happens in Indonesia.

The leaders and the citizens are entitled to what happens in their country. If the leader ( a person or an institution) decided a specific policy, then you have no right to violate, so you must listen and obey, regardless of correctness of your opinion – you’re entitled to criticize in a proper ways – and this according to Islamic law is explicitly stated in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, then the scholars of the early‏ righteous Muslim ancestors (Salaf).

The head of the state (the king or the president), by Shariah is the one who‘s authorized to decide whether or not it is possible or justified to help people in another country, and he’s the one who decides how and what type of appropriate assistance, and the legislative, supervisory and executive authorities are authorized to implement this.

I present this detailed matters intentionally, so as not to confuse anyone, because many Muslims are immersed in ignorance of Islam and ignorance of Islamic principles and simplest rules, and even in managing usual personal interests, then he/she talks about the caliphate, liberating Palestine and Kashmir, fighting America, China and Zionism..etc.

Even worse, some misguided Muslims who live in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Washington, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Beijing and Moscow, capitals of Christianity, secularism and atheism. Yet, they feel entitled to brag about criticising (Saudi Arabia), the cradle of Islam and the state that embraces monotheism and Sharia, and they fight it under the pretext of Islam!

The solution to the issues of any country is by following Sharia in order of priorities, through the so-called Objectives or Purposes of Shariah or legal Islamic policy, which relies on the clear sacred texts in the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

If you live in a Muslim country, then you should do your best to reform your country through good word politely and proper planning, and be a walking model in reform and awareness-raising.

And if you live in a Non-Muslim State, – if you can – then the first thing you should do is to return to your country and your Muslim community and to start from there.

And if your country, to which you belong now, or you became belong to permanently, is a non-Muslim State, then you must respect its laws, and invite people to Islam in the ways that national laws allow, and it is not permissible for you to provoke your non-Muslim people or to insult their culture, sanctities and symbols.

Palestinian Cause

Back to the Palestinian Cause, the Islamic rules are clear and transparent, so if the Palestinians couldn’t win by military means in a way that saves innocents, then Allah Almighty does not burden them beyond their power. Rather from the purposes of Sharia, in the situation of certainty or high probability of the inability to achieve victory that can save innocents, then it is Islamic obligation to hold peace in order to save lives and properties.

This can be applied to Palestine, Kashmir, the Uighurs, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan, and every place in which Muslims are exposed to the affliction of war or occupation, as the primary responsibility rests with the people of the country themselves, as far as they can, in conditions of the overwhelming expectation of victory.

Indeed, the law of Allah Almighty prohibits political conflict and political change except according to Shariah rules and regulations, so that seeking change for the better must not lead to worse consequences or disastrous as a result, such as revolutions, demonstrations, mob protesting and endless wars.

I would like to say this clearly and loudly:

The Palestinian Cause is not a primary issue in Islam, rather it belongs to what’s so-called (Legitimate Islamic Policy), to calculate and evaluate the expected gains and the consequences that could result from any decision that the state can go with.

And a mercy from Allah, one of the most important purposes of Sharia is to protect the lives of people (Muslims and non Muslims) , and Allah Almighty has established the absolute reality of His mercy when He said: (Allāh does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity), (The Holy Qur’an, 2 Al-Baqara- Ayah 286), and the Messenger of Mercy Mohammad (PPBUH) said: (If I ordered you to do something, then do of it as much as you can), Sahih al-Bukhari 7288.

If the leadership of your country believes that it is unable to help other Muslims militarily, politically or economically, then you must respect that, and continue to assist and support and improve local legal methods in a manner that does not contradict the principles of Islamic law.

As a Muslim individual in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Britain, France, America, China, Russia, Morocco, or South Africa, you are not responsible, according to Islamic laws, for Palestine, Kashmir, Syria, or any place other than your country.

But why?

I’ll repeat that.

A. There is a hierarchy in the distribution of roles and responsibilities in Islamic laws.

B. Every Muslim exerts his efforts to the best of his ability according to Islamic legitimate responsibilities, while not inconsistent with the supreme Sharia rules and regulations.

It’s one of your responsibilities as a Muslim to be a model of Islam walking on earth, to please Allah Almighty first, to show people the greatness of Allah’s religion, so you invite them to Islam with your high manners and knowledge, and to establish Allah’s proofs against them.

If you adopt an extremist or a terrorist ideology, or any immoral pattern – according to Islam-, politically, socially, economically or militarily, or you behave aggressively, then you necessarily become an anti-Islam, and even peaceful non-Muslims become better than you for Islam.

The moral and legal rules of Shariah are objectively determined by divine authority, not your delusions, no matter how you claim and flaunt to be a Muslim.

As for corrupt illusions, romantic dreams, wishful thinking, and false aspirations promoted by corrupt ideologies, such as Shiism in (Iran), Sufism and Naqshbandi in (Turkey), and some other regimes and groups, this matter is the most dangerous of all profoundly, as it corrupt for people their lives here and hereafter, and distort the pure image of Islam in consideration and awareness of Muslims themselves, not alone consideration and awareness of non-Muslims.

Corrupt regimes hostile to Islam, such as Iran and Turkey, and their followers and fans from the corrupt groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda, ISIS, Takfir groups, and Shiite militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, you see for yourself the results of their corruption, where polytheism, massacres, extermination, destruction and crime have become a regularly wherever they are able to influence.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite its importance and position for Muslims, is not more important than the souls of the Palestinians and all Muslims, rather the Holy Ka’ba itself as it is despite the greatness of its place and its position in Islam, is not more important and greater than the souls of the Saudis and all Muslims.

The state project that has been promoted by the Palestinians is not an Islamic. Rather, they advocate a secular state, and they adopt communist and leftist ideologies of atheistic origins, or extremist ideologies claiming Islamic legitimacy, while it is actually otherwise.

It’s our Islamic duty as Saudis and non-Saudis to expose the emotional, moral, religious, political, economic and military blackmail to which we as Saudis and Muslims around the world have been exposed to, in the name of the Palestinian Cause or other causes. Independence is not more important than the lives of people, which are not supposed to be sacrificed, according to Islamic Shariah laws.

The Palestinian Cause has been the spearhead of all projects hostile to Islam and Muslims, especially against the Saudis, whereby Saudi Arabia (the monotheism and Sharia state)’s image has been distorted and has been fought against across the so-called (Islamic world) in the name of the Palestinian illusionary cause.

The Muslim Brotherhood terrorist group, the terrorist organization Al Qaeda, the terrorist organization ISIS, terrorist and criminal Iranian regime, the aggressive and terrorist Turkish regime, the most corrupt of all, and other corrupt regimes and groups..

All of them have been using the Palestinian Cause to kill Muslims, to harm them, and to destroy their countries, societies, security, and national capabilities. It’s enough for you that the sinister (Iranian-Turkish-Qatari evil axis with the Western atheist left) sponsored the so-called (Arab Spring) project, which turned the countries into unrivaled devastation and turned the people into gangs, thieves, or just terrified innocent people who cannot live properly or settle for anything.

All of these parties that use Islamic Causes, especially the Palestinian to blackmail Muslims, especially to blackmail Saudi Arabia, have not provided anything to the Palestinians or other Muslims for past 70 years. No independence, no state, no dignity, no rights, no development, no prosperity, not even humanitarian aid.

Whereas Saudi Arabia (the state of monotheism and Sharia) has been at the forefront of donors for decades, especially for the benefit of the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority’s budget relies mainly on Saudi support, and in return Turkey and Iran have not provided any real aid to any people on Earth, rather both consumed their economies and capabilities in exporting polytheism, immorality, hatred, conflicts and wars.

Turkei Al-Owerde is Editor-in-Chief and Political Analyst of the Herald Report. His knowledge of the religious undertones of most Muslim Terrorist Organizations makes his many “conflict analysis” a valuable source of information for many security experts from around the world. He regularly tweets under @Turki_AlOwerde.

A question that has always bothered Muslims who have not built their faith in a correct, objective and systematic way as God and His Messenger have guided, is that there’s a conflict between natural scientific facts and Islam.

Personally, I never worry about contradiction between Islam and the natural science. I will explain the reasons.

What is the Science (Knowledge) in general?

Linguistically, it is perceiving something for what it really is. The simplest, idiomatic definitions of science are: a collection of facts, events, news, theories and methods.

Islamic Science or Shariah is the knowledge of what God revealed to His Messenger Mohammed – peace be upon him, which is preserved as evidence and guidance in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Natural Science is one of the branches of science, and it is the science that studies the physical and chemical properties of all phenomena on Earth and the universe surrounding us.

Here is the critical point to focus on:

Islamic science (Shariah) relies on a fixed model and methodology which is purely and absolutely based on the sacred revelation (the Qur’an) that can never be altered, twisted, changed, added to, reduced. And then it’s based on the authentic fixed texts of the Prophet’s Sunnah or traditions which is a revelation too as a walking perfect model of the The Holy Qur’an.

Natural science depends on the changeable paradigm, whereby what is agreed upon among the scientific communities can be reversed or modified later, such as gravity, relativity, and the big bang. In the past, the brightest minds believed in every absurd concept. Aristotle believed that a fetus is composed of a man’s semen and a woman’s menstrual blood.

In fact, we always find scientific studies with contradictory results or at least not consistent or compatible. There are scientific studies that are paid for or directed in an ideological or economic way to achieve specific results that are consistent with the vision and goals of a set of beliefs or specific objectives of the sponsors of the research.

The naive ignorant romantics who say (I believe in Science) as an absolute objective criteria, may feel shocked by the authoritarianism, exclusion and persecution that may happen to those who adopt scientific opinions or findings that merely refer to The Creator whether through the theory of intelligent design or other results. 

In conclusion, the idea of ​​believing – absolutely or most probably – in natural science to define values, to determine right or wrong – objectively – it appears to be overwhelmed with absurdity given its relative, changing and contradictory nature due to the human imperfection nature or because of the contradicted reasons, objectives and methodology used.

It should be noted that there is a natural science that depends directly on experience, direct observation and objective correction, and from it, inventions and discoveries come that benefit or harm humanity in one way or another, and this is something that has been in humanity since its inception, where we see ancient human achievements that the scientific community today cannot understand.

Scientism

There is also scientism, which holds that the inductive methods characteristic of the natural sciences are the only source of truly factual knowledge.

This is what I call (epistemological dictatorship), where other sources of knowledge are ignored or suppressed, especially those that are most reliable at all, such as divine revelation.

Scientism is considered the most important pillar adopted by adherents of the phenomenon of new atheism in an absurd way that aims only to fight The absolute truth. There’s no justice, there’s no right or wrong, there’s no objective moral values, and there’s no objective basis or methodology that gives a human being a real value, in which all crimes and atrocities can be justified.

Back to the start, regardless of the absurdity of Scientism, natural science despite all its good or bad achievements does not in any way equate – objectively – the value of a single verse of the Qur’an or an authentic Hadith in terms of authenticity, reliability and credibility.

Conclusion

The Qur’an is the revelation of The Creator Almighty, the miraculous which God has challenged all mankind, for more than 1400 years up to this day. Mankind has been unable to meet its perfection, challenges and absolute objective examinations.

A true Muslim is one with an objective and firm belief, must consider The Qur’an the absolute dominant over all of human knowledges.

Finally, I advise myself and all people, Muslims and non-Muslims, to think and contemplate as He Almighty commands and urge for the best for peoples and the lands, and for maximum interest in the sciences of The Qur’an, because after death there’s no value in inventing a useful instrument or invoking an enlightening idea as long as a person is far from his Lord.

Turkey Al-Owerde is Editor-in-Chief and Political Analyst of the Herald Report. His knowledge of the religious undertones of most Muslim Terrorist Organizations makes his many “conflict analysis” a valuable source of information for many security experts from around the world. He tweets under @Turki_AlOwerde.

This dua is the good fortune for the happy person, it is good fortune for the people of happiness and success…

Istikhaarah in Arabic means seeking guidance to make a decision concerning something. It is said in Arabic – Istakhir Allaaha yakhir laka (Seek guidance from Allaah and He will guide you (to the right decision).

In sharee’ah terminology, Istikhaarah means seeking guidance (to the right decision), i.e., seeking guidance as to what Allaah knows is the best and most appropriate choice, by means of prayer or the du’aa’ narrated concerning Istikhaarah. 

Description

Jabir bin Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all matters, just as he used to teach them soorahs from the Qur’aan. He ﷺ said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:

Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi ‘aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri (or: fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni ‘anhu [wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi

O Allaah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it'”.

Wisdom

Indeed the human being has been created weak, and is in need of Allaah in all his matters and that is because a human does not know from where good and evil will occur in the future from incidents and events.

This is why, from the Wisdom of Allaah and from His Mercy to His slaves, He legislated for them this Dua’ so that they can come closer to their Lord and that they can seek refuge with Him, and that He will direct them to the path leading towards good and benefits.

Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d.728) said, “The one who seeks guidance from the Creator and he consults the creation and is firm in his issue, will not have any regret”.

Connection With Emaan (Faith)

Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah said, “Allaah compensated the Muslims by giving them this supplication, which is Tawheed, and it is being in need of Allaah, servitude of worship, reliance upon Allaah, asking the One in whose Hand is all goodness, Who Alone can turn away evil.

“He Alone who, if He opens up Mercy for His slave then there is none who can seclude a person from that mercy, and if He (Allaah) withholds it then none can send mercy to a person whether it is using omens, astrology or lucky stars.

“This dua is the good fortune for the happy person, it is good fortune for the people of happiness and success, those for whom Allaah gave them happiness before, and it is not good fortune for the people of Shirk and wretchedness, those whom associate another deity with Allaah, then soon will they come to know.

“This Dua’ includes the confirmation and testification of the existence of Allaah. The confirmation and testification of His Perfect Attributes, from the perfection of Knowledge and Capability and universal Will. And it includes the confirmation and testification of Allaah’s Lordship and entrustment of this matter to Him and seeking aid from Him, and relying upon Him, and a person leaves the responsibility from himself and acquits himself from any capability and strength except that it is with Allaah. It also includes the acknowledgement of the slave of Allaah of the weakness of his knowledge and his own interests and his own capability upon these things, and his desire for them, and that all of these things are in the Hand of his Guardian and his Originator and his true Lord”.

What To Pray Istikhaarah For?

The four madhhabs are agreed upon that istikhaarah is prescribed in cases where a person does not know the right decision to make. In matters where it is known whether a thing is good or bad, such as acts of worship, doing good deeds, sins or evil actions, there is no need to pray istikhaarah in these cases.

But if a person wants to find out the right time to do something, such as whether to do Hajj this year, because there is the possibility of encountering an enemy or some tribulation, or whether to go with a certain person or not, then he may pray istikhaarah with regard to such decisions. But there is no room for Istikhaarah when it comes to things that are obligatory, haraam or makrooh. Rather Istikhaarah has to do with things that are recommended or permissible.

Istikhaarah is not ordinarily required with regard to things that are recommended, rather it should be done in cases where there is a conflict, i.e., when a person has a choice of two things and must decide which one to start with or which one not to do.

With regard to permissible things, he may pray Istikhaarah as a regular matter. 

Mindset

The person who wants to pray Istikhaarah should have an open mind, and not have decided on a specific course of action.

The phrase, “If any one of you is deliberating” indicates that Istikhaarah should be prayed when one starts to think of the matter, when through the blessing of prayer and du’aa’ what is good will become clear to him, in contrast to when the idea has taken root and his resolve to do it is firm, in which case his inclination will sway him, and there is the fear that wisdom may not prevail because he is inclined to do that which he has already decided to do.

It may be that which is meant by deliberation here is resolve, because a passing thought does not matter. And a person should not pray istikhaarah except when he has decided to do something but does not have a strong inclination towards it. Otherwise, if a person were to pray Istikhaarah for every thought that crosses his mind, he would never stop and he would consume all his time doing that. 

The secret is that ones heart should not be attached to the matter in question, because that will result in a person becoming restless. Being pleased with something means that ones heart is content with the decree of Allaah.

Best Time To Offer It

Unlike commonly believed, Istikhaara can be prayed anytime, it is not bound to be prayed in the night only.

Al-Nawawi said in al-Adhkaar, “One can pray istikaarah after two rakahs of regular sunnah prayer done at zuhr for example, or after two rakahs of any naafil prayers whether they are regularly performed or not It seems to be the case that if he made the intention to pray istikhaarah at the same time as intending to pray that particular prayer, this is fine, but not if he did not have this intention”.

Surahs To Be Recited In Salaat Al-Istikhaarah

The Hanafis, Maalikis and Shaafa’is said that it is mustahabb, after reciting al-Faatihah, to recite Surah Al kaafiroon in the first rak’ah and Surah Al Ikhlaas in the second. 

Al-Nawawi said, explaining the reason for that: It is appropriate to recite these in prayer, to show sincerity and expressing your leaving your affairs to Allaah. They said that it is also permissible to add other verses from Qur’aan where the context refers to the idea of making a choice or decision.

The Hanbalis and some of the fuqaha’ did not say that any particular verses are to be recited when praying Istikhaarah.

Seeing A Dream Or Soul Feeling Delighted After Offering Istikhaara

Many people think that following istikhaarah there has to be a dream or a feeling of ease in the heart, and so on, but that is not the case. Even if no such thing happens when a person has prayed istikhaarah and done his best to find out what is best for him, such as consulting people, examining the issue and asking those who have experience, then he goes ahead and does it, then it is hoped that this will be what is best for him, even if he does not feel at ease in his heart in the beginning.

Even if we assume that he does not succeed in this matter that he goes ahead with after praying istikhaarah, it may be good for him even if he does not know it, but his Lord knows, may He be exalted. 

That is the correct view is that when Allaah makes something easy for you after having decreed it and accepted your duaa this is a sign that it is good to go ahead and do it.

The existence of obstacles and difficulties is an indication that Allaah is pushing His slave away from doing it. This meaning will be very clear when one ponders the meaning of the hadeeth of Jaabir concerning al-istikhaarah.

Specific Rulings

There is no set time period for salaat al-istikhaarah; it is permissible to repeat it more than once, but there is no limit to how many times.

It is permissible for you while offering Du`a’-ul-Istikharah to raise the hands.

It is permissible for one to offer a single Istikharah for more than one matter.

It is not permissible for anyone to pray istikhaarah on behalf of someone else.

The key is to have complete faith that Allah will guide to what is good for you and be content with it.

Zoha Fatima is a tenth grade student from Hyderabad India, she has a flare for writing and she dreams to be a writer.