icdbd-QA/0034: Asking someone to pray istikhara on his/her behalf
Question:icdbd-QA/0034
My parents always ask a huzur in a nearby masjid to pray istikhara prior taking any important decision. I came to know that this should be prayed by oneself and there is no such authenticity to ask someone to pray istikhara on their behalf. This huzur does not want any material thing but receives cash if given. He always sees dreams after istikhara and my parents have very confidence on it. I know that istikhara is not about dreams. They sometimes take decisions based on it, e.g. if my brother would apply for US green card or not, they asked him to do istikhara, he did and said positive and then they proceeded. Is this practice falls under shirk? Is this possible to always or sometimes see dreams after istikhara?
JazakAllahu Khairan
Answer: [By Dr. Manzure-e-Ilahi]
Wa ‘Alaikumussalaam,
Praise be to Allah.
The practice mentioned falls under bidah and not shirk. As for whether it is possible to see dreams: it is possible, and there are good dreams that are 1/46th of Prophethood, but dreams in no way can be used as a source of ruling or taken to be definite signs.
And Allah knows the best!