[BiseCreesia]

Salaam,
If one wishes to join tariqa and after careful consideration has found a sheikh and has an opportunity to meet this sheikh in a few weeks time, should he do istikhara with the intention of joining that particular tariqa or giving bayah to the sheikh?
Jazakallah Khair.

[dselectronics]

When I approached my second shaykh for islaahi ta'alluq, I asked whether I needed to make istikharah. Shaykh replied that if there is clarity of the mind then there is no need to, as istikhara is usually for when there is a doubt. Since I knew I obviously had munaasibat and I clearly felt he was the right shaykh for me, I did not make istikhara.

So I reckon it will depend on yourself and the clarity of your mind towards this shaykh, as well as his advice to you. Perhaps he himself would rather you make istikharah first.

[BiseCreesia]

I have been told by his existing murids that the sheikh expects you to do istikhara.
I don't have any doubts I have been searching for 9 months and in that time had opportunity to give bayt to at least 2 sheikhs but didn't feel right where as this is totally different.
Subhanallah I'm so excited I can't wait to meet the sheikh

[uwJzsM8t]

Contrary to common misconception, Salat al-Istikhara is not a magic Salah that you pray in order to find an answer; rather it is a Salah that you pray, often after making a firm decision and intention, asking for Allah Ta'ala to make it easy if it is khayr, and to remove it if it is not. So you may offer Salat al-Istikhara even if there are no doubts, in fact it is encouraged to do so whenever you make an important decision.

Wa'Allahu a'lam

[Biassasecumma]

The Sahaba (rad) are reported to have said, "Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to teach us Salatul Istikharah as he would teach us Salah." (with that much importance). There is one narration that says "Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran"

The Shaykh db who you are trying to get Bay't to is right. If a Mureed does istikhara and sees a sign, his heart will be settled on the Shaykh. If not, mureeds nowadays tend to move from place to place if they dont see progress in a few weeks. For some, progress is seeing visions and lights and people from the unseen and what not. This is a wrong understanding of what progress is ofcourse. The other problem is their hearts not settling on the Shaykh.

I met 2 brothers recently. One of them was Bay't to Maulana Ismail ibnu Muhyudeen (db) first then got bay't next to Hazrat Abdul Cader Bawaji (rah) from India, then onto Shaykh Zacky Bhopali (db) of Madina Munawwarah, then he got Bay't to Maulana Talha Saheb (db), so finally Shaykh Hajeeji (db). Then he met a majzoob who he was attracted to and spent time with him. He became Majzoob himself after a few months. Last 2 years hes been majzoob. He would go to the washroom and come out naked in front of his in laws.

The other brother is the same, Bay't to 4 Shaykhs and then joined the Owaisis. The breaking of Bayt of such illustrious people and the effects of different azkar has now landed him in deeper trouble. One of the nerves leading to his brain is damaged and many complications.

istikhara-dua.jpg


The meaning of the dua:

0 Allah, I ask of You the good through Your knowledge and I ask You to grant me ability through Your power and beg Your favour of infinite bounty, for surely, You have power and I have none, You know all and I know nothing and You are the Knower of all that is hidden. 0 Allah if in Your knowledge, this matter be good for my faith (Din), my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs in the world and the Hereafter, then ordain it for me and facilitate it from me and grant me blessing in it. But, if in Your knowledge this matter is bad for my faith, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs in the world and the Hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to be pleased with it.

Essentially Istikhara should be done before you make a decision. Insha Allah, you will get a sign. It is not necessary you see a dream, but the best thing about making istikhara is that your heart will be settled. The meaning itself shows how much of weight this amal.

There are many brothers who have seen dreams, or got Allah Ta'alas help after istikhara. I will try to write some karghuzari later insha Allah. I think you are aware of how to perform it. Some Mashaikh tell us extra amal after masnoon istikhara to make it easier. If you need them, tell me.

May Allah Ta'ala make this easy for you.