Decision Making in Islam

Isamic Way of Decision Making

With regards to decision making, there are four things one should do in the following order:

1)    Seek Allah’s guidance (Istikharah) regarding your dilemma 

2)    Consult (Mashwarah) the right people concerning the dilemma 

3)    Resoluteness (‘Azm) upon a decision

4)    Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) upon acting on the decision

Before doing anything in the world or with the creation, one should seek guidance and good from the Creator of creation.  Seeking Allah’s guidance and assistance in our affairs can only bring goodness.  Thereafter, one should consult people who understand and can relate to one’s dilemma and issue.  Thereafter, whatever one is inclined to, one should have resoluteness and be firm on the decision.  One should not entertain ‘what if’s’ and ‘buts’ in his mind.  Finally, upon acting upon the decision made, one should now place his trust in Allah is what lies ahead in such a decision.

The above steps are understood from the verse:

“So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. Then when you have made a decision, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].” (Qur’an 3:159)

Istikharah

Istikharah means to ask Allah for goodness.

From the words of the Istikharah dua, we understand that by virtue of making Istikharah, Allah will facilitate the means of what is beneficial for you.  Equally, Allah will make the means of what is unfavourable for you difficult to acquire.  Hence, one should do Istikharah is his daily affairs to make the acquiring of good easy.

How to Perform Istikharah Prayer

Mashwarah

Mashwarah is to seek counsel and advice from relevant people who can relate to your dilemma.  It is highly encouraged to consult those who can relate to your dilemma and have an understanding of your life.  Consulting those who do not have the relevant experience, insight and understanding may not be as beneficial.

The performance of Mashwarah is emphasised in the Qur’an and Sunnah.  Scholars argue that Mashwarah is more emphasised than Istikharah due to its explicit command in the Qur’an.

Hadhrat Juwaria bint Harith Radi Allahu Anha

The chieftain of the tribe Banu Mustalaq was Harith bin Abi Dhirar, who was an arrogant man drunk with his power and wealth. He had a beautiful daughter, Juwaria, who had been born just before the advent of Islam. She was brought up in the lap of luxury, and had all the refinements and graces of a princess. Intelligent and wise she mastered language and literary style. She was happily married to one of the youths of Banu Khuza’ah, Musafa bin Safwan.

During an expedition set by Harith, ten people were killed and about 700 captured. Juwaria (radi Allahu anha) was one of the prisoners of the expedition and was initially offered to Thabit Ibn Qays as his share of booty. He agreed to set her free in exchange for a certain amount of wealth from her. She went into the presence of the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam and pleaded her case with him. She felt that she had fallen into dust from a throne made of gold. All who saw Juwaria were stunned by her exceptional beauty. She was not only beautiful but graceful, elegant and eloquent. The Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam paid off the amount on her behalf and married her. When the people heard of her conversion and marriage to the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam they freed all the slaves of Banu Mustalaq. Then they all accepted Islam willingly.

When Aisha(radi Allahu anha) first saw Juwaria(radi Allahu anha) she exclaimed that she was as beautiful as a fairy. On another occasion she said she had yet to see a lady proved to be such a source of blessings for her people. Through her Allah blessed a hundred families of her tribe with freedom.

Imam Baihaqi has quoted Juwaria(radi Allahu anha), as saying that,few days before the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam arrived she saw the moon coming towards her from the direction of Madinah and falling into her lap.

Most of the time Juwaria (radi Allahu anha) would be found engrossed in prayer. On one occasion when the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam left home he found her lost in meditation. On returning in the afternoon he found her in the same position. He asked her if she has been praying continuously since he had left. When she answered in the affirmative, he asked her if she would like to learn four small sentences that could earn her more reward from Allah than the whole morning’s prayers. He then taught her the following sentences:

"سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ: عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، وَرِضَا نَفْسِهِ، وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ".

Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi: 'Adada khalqihi, wa ridhaa nafsihi, wa zinata 'arshihi wa midaada kalimaatihi.

“How perfect Allah is and I praise Him by the number of His creation and His pleasure, and by the weight of His throne, and the extent of His words.”

We should also make a habit of reciting these words everyday as for one who recites them has earned tremendous reward. There is one narration that mentions the above words to be recited 3 times.

Juwaria(radi Allahu anha) passed away at the age of 65 in the month of Rabiul-Awwal, 50th year after Hijrah, and was buried in Jannatul Baqi.