The Danger of Ignoring the Guidence of Istikhara
Istikhara is a powerful tool gifted to us by Allah—a means of seeking divine guidance when we are faced with decisions, whether they are life-altering or seemingly small. However, one of the biggest mistakes we can make after performing istikhara is disregarding the answer we receive, either out of fear, doubt, or personal desires.
When we pray istikhara, we are essentially surrendering to Allah’s wisdom, acknowledging that He knows what is best for us. Yet, how often do we find ourselves still gravitating toward what we want, rather than what He has guided us toward? We may receive signs or feel an inner conviction, but instead of trusting them, we second-guess, seek validation from others, or even convince ourselves that we can make things work differently.
The Consequences of Ignoring Istikhara
When we go against the answer of istikhara, it is often because of attachment—attachment to a person, an idea, a dream, or a certain outcome we have envisioned for ourselves. We resist letting go because we believe we know what is best, even though Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has shown us otherwise.
However, when we persist in the path we were warned against, we often find ourselves learning the lesson in a much harder way. The very thing Allah was protecting us from unfolds before us, and we begin to see why that path was never meant for us. This could manifest in different ways:
A relationship that we clung to despite clear signs that it wasn’t right, eventually leading to deep heartbreak.
A business decision we made despite unease, only to suffer loss and regret.
A commitment we forced ourselves into, only to realise later that it drained us spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
The painful part is that in hindsight, we often see that the answer was there all along—we just didn’t trust it.
The Greater Lesson Behind Disobedience
The beauty of Allah’s mercy is that even when we disobey His guidance, He still teaches us. Sometimes, the hardship we endure after ignoring istikhara becomes an even greater lesson—one that forces us to recognize our own weaknesses, to break free from attachments, and to return to Him with more conviction.
The key is not to fall into despair when we realize our mistake, but to use it as a stepping stone toward deeper faith and reliance on Allah. When we ignore istikhara, we might learn the hard way, but it is still a lesson meant to bring us back to Him.
Trusting Allah Fully
The challenge is to trust even when we don’t understand, to surrender even when our heart pulls us in another direction. Allah knows what is ahead, while we only see what is in front of us. The true essence of istikhara is not just seeking guidance, but having the strength to follow through with it, even when it’s difficult.
The next time you perform istikhara and receive an answer—through clarity, circumstances, or an inner knowing—trust that Allah is protecting you. And if you’ve already gone against His guidance, know that it’s never too late to return, to realign, and to move forward with greater wisdom.
Imam al-Ghazali mentions in Ihya Ulum al-Din that Prophet Dawood (AS) asked Allah, “Who is the most hated of Your creation?” Allah replied, “The one who prays Istikhara and does not follow My guidance.”
This highlights the importance of sincerity and trust when seeking Allah’s counsel. Istikhara is not just a ritual—it is a means of placing our affairs in Allah’s hands. To ignore His guidance after sincerely asking for it is a sign of heedlessness. True reliance on Allah means accepting His direction, even when it may not align with our initial desires.