Because mostly people are inclined towards human desires and...

Because mostly people are inclined towards human desires and these realities have nothing to do with them. Istikhara, Or Augury, Guides in Situations of Doubt It has been narrated that when you are at the cross-roads, and do not know which is the righteous ( Rahmani) way and which is the wrong one ( Shaitani), then doing Istikhara (augury) with Allah (S.w.T.) that the righteous path can be determined.

Istikhara, or augury, is talab al-khair min Allah (S.w.T.) (Seeking good from Allah (S.w.T.)) saying, “O Allah (S.w.T.)! I am in doubt. I don’t know if there is Your approval for my doing this task or not. With Your Munificence make evident Your guidance in the matter.” This is a situation of prayer, and in Istikhara always there is a strong element of prayer to Allah (S.w.T.).

Some People Misunderstand Istikhara Muslims have adopted a bad habit that they started using Istikhara for matters connected with monetary benefit. This, truly, is not istikhara. Istikhara, in fact, is a prayer by virtue of which a person seeks Allah (S.w.T.)’s wish if performance of a particular act would be in his best interest or not.

Imam Husayn (a.s.) does Istikhara at the Mausoleum of The Prophet (S) Imam Husayn (a.s.) went to the mausoleum of his grand father, the Prophet (S) and after much grieving entreated Allah (S.w.T.), “O my Sustainer! You know I am practicing, amr bil ma’ruf and nahi ‘anil munkar , treading on the righteous path and denying the prohibited. In this matter kindly give me guidance.” Then the Prophet (S), with Allah (S.w.T.)’s orders, informed Imam Husayn (a.s.) that he had to proceed towards Karbala.

It is better we quote here Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.). He says in one of the supplications in Sahifa as-Sajjadiya: “O Allah! Whenever my heart is confused with two thoughts. One thought for performance of an act that might be approved by You and the other, perhaps, not to Your liking and instigated by Satan. Then O Allah! Mould my determination and decision the way You approve of!” Istikhara With the Sibha or Through the Holy Qur’an If prayer dispels your doubts and confusion, it is very well.

Otherwise, you are within your rights to do Istikhara with the Sibha (rosary) or from the pages of the Holy Qur’an. But there are two conditions for doing this. One is that you must be in a state of supplication while doing the augury ( Istikhara).