When making important decisions, seeking guidance from Allah (SWT) through the prayer of Istikhara is very common among women. But what happens if a woman is menstruating? Can Istikhara still be done during periods?
While the recommended method is to perform the two-unit prayer followed by the dua of Istikhara, one can still make it regardless of their state. Thus, women on their periods can still make the dua of Istikhara without performing the Salah.
With this article, we’ll explore this question and provide some insights. So keep reading.
Can a Woman Perform Istikhara During Menstruation?
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Although performing Istikhara requires two rakat of salah followed by the Istikhara dua, a woman can perform the dua of Istikhara during her menstrual cycle without performing Salah.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in al-Adhkar (p. 120), “If a person cannot pray, he may still recite the supplication of Istikharah.”
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: “Is it permissible to pray Istikharah without praying two rak‘ahs beforehand or without wudu’? And is it permissible for the menstruating woman or woman who is bleeding postpartum to pray Istikharah?”
He replied: “Yes, it is permissible to pray Istikharah, it is mustahab (recommended), and it is recommended to pray Istikharah even without praying (salah) beforehand because the person is asking of his Lord and seeking guidance from his Lord, whether the person is a woman or a man, and whether the woman is menstruating or not.
Also Read: What to Do and Don’ts During Menstruation in Islam?
Nothing is wrong with any of that, but if it is done after praying (salah), that is better because it is praying Istikharah following the Sunnah. So the individual should pray two rak‘ahs, then ask of his Lord, and ask his Lord for guidance, whether the person is a man or a woman.
But if the woman is menstruating or the matter is urgent, then one may pray Istikharah without praying (salah) beforehand. There is nothing wrong with that, and he may ask of his Lord, praise be to Allah. Allah says,
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
{Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.”} [Ghafir 40:60]. Istikharah is a supplication in which one turns to Allah for guidance.”(Fatawa Nur ‘ala ad-Darb)
The dua of Istikhara is a powerful tool recommended by our Prophet (saw) for decision-making. Remember that Istikhara is not a Quranic dua but rather a supplication taught by our beloved Prophet (saw).
During menstruation, a woman can still read the Istikhara dua or any other dua and seek Allah’s guidance & help in making important decisions.
Also Read: Can You Read Islamic Books on Your Period?
Specific Istikhara Dua You Can Perform During Periods
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أسْتَخِيرُكَ بعِلْمِكَ، وأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بقُدْرَتِكَ، وأَسْأَلُكَ مِن فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ؛ فإنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ ولَا أقْدِرُ، وتَعْلَمُ ولَا أعْلَمُ، وأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمْرَ خَيْرٌ لي في دِينِي ومعاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي – أوْ قالَ: عَاجِلِ أمْرِي وآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لي ويَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لي فِيهِ، وإنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمْرَ شَرٌّ لي في دِينِي ومعاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي – أوْ قالَ: في عَاجِلِ أمْرِي وآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي واصْرِفْنِي عنْه، واقْدُرْ لي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أرْضِنِي قالَ: «وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ
Transliteration:
“Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as’aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa ta’lamu walaa a’alamu wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal-amr (mention your concern) khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibati amriy, faqdur hu liy wa-‘yassar hu- liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibati amriy. Fa-srifhu ‘annee wa-srifni ‘anhu. Wa aqdur lial khayra haythu kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee”
Translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your counsel through Your knowledge and I seek Your assistance through Your might and I ask You of Your immense favour, for indeed You alone decree fate while I do not, and You (alone) know (all things) while I do not, and You alone possess all knowledge of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter (particulate matter) to be good for me as pertains to my religion, my life and livelihood and to the final outcomes of my affairs, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and then bless it for me.
But if You know this matter to be harmful to me as pertains to my religion, my life and livelihood and to the final outcomes of my affairs, then distance it from me and distance me from it, then decree what is good for me – wherever it may be – and content me with it.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]
Also Check: What Can We Recite During Periods | Complete List
Make Istikhara During Your Period: Seek Allah’s Guidance without Limitations
The prayer of Istikhara is not limited to the physical act of Salah, and women on their monthly cycle can do it too. Istikhara is not restricted to the specific dua taught by the Prophet (saw), and any sincere dua seeking Allah’s guidance can be made.
As Muslim women, you should not feel discouraged or excluded from seeking Allah’s guidance during your periods, and remember that Allah (SWT) is always there for you. So, next time you need to make a decision, don’t hesitate to make Istikhara and seek Allah’s guidance in making the right choice.
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