The more things change, the more they remain the same?

I've got a personal blog that I go back to time to time.  Some days, it feels like I'm reading someone else's thoughts, and at other times it simply feels like my life is nothing but an endless cycle of similar events.  


Like right now.  


And these emotions and feelings that come with being in such a familiar place are akin to that deja-vu experience. 

I wrote a post in May 2008 that's resonating with me so deeply right now...and here it is:
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There's a steady, small wave of change brewing. 


Everyone's moving to a different phase,
a different place in their lives. 


Smiles. Tears. Shouts. Laughs. 
It's all part of the commotion. 


This may be the final summer. I don't think it's hit me yet.
This may be the *final* summer.


Volunteering gigs, work, Uni. 
Maybe even the deck days and slurpee nights. 


Who knows where I'll be this time next year. 


Or who I'll be.


Today, a shaykh spoke about the importance of istikhara- a means of consultation with Allah the Almighty. Often, people associate istikhara with a big decision-whether it be marriage, a house, a car, or a degree. 


But this supplication was taught by the Prophet (saw) to the Sahaba in the same manner as a surah of the Quran. And the utmost importance that was given to learning a surah is well known. "Convey to Me, even a verse", says Allah SWT. 


So why have we demoted the istikhara to an occasional duaa? A form of insurance so that we can retort, "But my istikhara was positive!". 


The istikhara was meant to be a daily supplication. Everything from choosing the right microwave, to which road to take. If you look at the translation of the duaa, it's beauty is simply magnificent. 

Oh Allah! I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. 

Oh Allah! If in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it. 

It fills a believer with hope. 


And with the realization that Allah alone knows what is best for us. The Shaykh also said that once a person has made istikhara, he should realise that Allah will look after him. 


And if read with firm conviction, tawakkul and love, the person will neither regret his decison, nor will he face failure. Further, Allah will make his task easier for him.


Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said,
“Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of Allah. And a misfortune of the son of Adam is his failure to make istikharah (seeking Allah’s guidance), and a misfortune for the son of Adam is his displeasure with the judgment of Allah.”


Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret it.”


May Allah SWT make this noble gift a part of our daily lives. And may He give us serenity and peace in our times of turbulent change. Ameen.




[P.S.  There's an excellent book on Istikhara that I routinely go back to time and time again.  It's a short, easy read and very well written.  See:  Moulana Abu Usama Ayub (2005). Istikhara, in Light of Sunnah and Qura'an.  Academy for Islamic Research.  Available here.]


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What about you?  Do you ever feel like everything's just a whirlwind of change around you?
How often do you get that deja-vu feeling?