The benefits of acting on these rules would be that if he is...

The benefits of acting on these rules would be that if he is a wise person then you will benefit from his knowledge and expertise, if he is impartial and righteous then he will justify the effort and thinking required in finding you a good solution, if he is your brother-in-faith and sincere friend then he will not reveal your secrets to others. To Whom One Should not Consult!

It is narrated from Rasool Allah -saww do not consult with a spineless and timid person as he will make your easy escape difficult, from the calamities in front of you, misers and stingy would stop you from doing any good and reaching your goals and objectives and do not consult with greedy and avaricious [2] as they will recommend and praise the worst possible options.

[3] Once we pass these stages and come to a stage when we have to finalise our course of action(s) then it is recommended by Masomeen -asws to seek Divine guidance, e.g., whether to perform an act or rather wait for another time? This final consultation is called Istikhara and may only be seeking for those things, which are under one’s control to act/adapt or decline. Similarly, Istikhara may be performed on behalf of someone else, if one makes such a request.

The Meanings and Blessings of Istikhara The meanings of Istikhara are: to seek Divine guidance, to seek the best from Allah -azwj in one’s affairs.

As recommended by Masomeen -asws in several traditions, e.g., (1) عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: قال الله عزوجل: من شقاء عبدى أن يعمل الاعمال فلا يستخيرنى It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq -asws that Allah -azwj , the most Glorious and the most High said: “One of the reasons for the misfortune of My servant is that he performs an action without seeking the best from Me.