What is the ruling on performing the istikhara prayer on behalf of another person? My brother wishes to propose marriage to a woman but is hesitant about making a decision. Is it permissible for me to perform the istikhara prayer for him, asking Allah to grant him what is good, and to guide him and grant him success in this matter?

The basic principle is that one should perform the istikhara prayer (guidance prayer) for a matter that concerns oneself, seeking from Allah facilitation of what is good and guidance to the right course of action in that matter. Nevertheless, there is no objection in Islamic law to the inquirer performing the istikhara prayer on behalf of her brother, asking Allah to guide him to what is right regarding his marriage proposal. This is considered helping another toward what is good and is considered a form of lawful benefit that extends to others.

 

The istikhara prayer and the manner of its performance

The istikhara prayer is a voluntary prayer performed to seek Allah’s guidance and what is best regarding a matter of personal concern. It is a short two-rak’ah prayer followed by the supplication transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) said, “The Messenger of Allah used to teach us to perform istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us chapters of the Quran. He said, ‘When one of you intends to undertake a matter, let him perform a two-rak’ah nonobligatory prayer and say: O Allah, 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 through Your boundless grace, for You have power and I do not, You know and I do not, and You are the knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention your matter for which you seek guidance] is good for me with regard to my immediate and future affairs (or perhaps he said, ‘in my religion, livelihood, and final outcome’), then decree it for me and facilitate it for me, and bless me it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the matter here] to be bad for me with regard to my religion, livelihood, and final outcome (or perhaps he said, ‘my immediate and future affairs’), then keep it from me, and keep me from it, and decree for me what is good whatever it may be, and make me content with it’” (recorded by al-Bukhari).

The ruling on performing the istikhara prayer on behalf of another

Although nothing explicit has been mentioned on the permissibility of performing istikhara on behalf of another, some scholars not only consider it permissible but some even practiced it, as a means to expanding the avenues of cooperation in righteousness, goodness, and piety. They further emphasize the principle of benefit that extends to others and whose effects are not confined to the one who performs it. They base their opinion on the hadith narrated by Jabir ibn Abdallah (may Allah be pleased with them both) in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever among you is able to benefit his brother, let him do so” (recorded by Muslim).[1]

 

And Allah Almighty knows best.