All praise is due only to Allaah. We laud Him and beseech His

parties is that it should not be that the boy is from a very rich 
family and the girl from a poor background or vice versa; or 
that the girl is well educated and the boy uneducated or vice 
versa. Compatibility between the spouses is extremely 
important. It is important for the boy’s family to consider the 
girl’s upbringing, her mother, sisters, etc.
After you have considered and made proper mashwera with 
relevant members of the families, you should make dua unto 
Allaah Ta`ala and ask Him to guide you to make the right 
decision. Once you have thought the matter out properly after 
placing all the facts in front of you, you should exercise one of 
your options. 
If Allaah Ta`ala wills, then certainly there will be goodness in 
your decision. The dua for mashwera is: 
ِ! ِ(َِا و يِ+,ُر َِِا ّا
ِ/0َ 1 َ, "
 
“O Allaah! Guide me to what is right and save me from the evil 
of my nafs.”
4). 
The fourth point is that you should make Istikhaara. 
There are a few pointers to consider when making Istikhaara. 
The Ulama-e-Haqq and buzrugs have mentioned that,
(a) 
There is no condition stated in the Hadith 
Shareef regarding performing the Nafl Salaat for 
Istikhaara at night or after Esha Salaat. One may 
perform the two Rakaats of Istikhaara Salaat at 
any time during the 24 hours of the day, besides 
the forbidden and Makrooh Salaat times. After 
having performed these two Rakaats, one may 
make the dua of Istikhaara. 

---

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2). 
Allaah Ta`ala places great consideration to good 
thoughts. It is stated in a Hadith, 
“I am to My slave according 
to what he thinks of Me.”
That is, if we hold good and 
promising thoughts and hopes on Allaah Ta`ala, then He will 
do likewise for us. You should have full hope that Allaah 
Ta`ala will bless you with a good and pious wife and that He 
will make this short and temporary life, one of paradise. 
3). 
You should make Mashwera (consult with others). Our 
Shariah has placed great emphasis on making mashwera. 
Describing the qualities of the believers, Allaah Ta`ala states in 
the Qur`aan Majeed, 
“And their matters (are decided) by 
mashwera between themselves.”
[Surah Shura, Aayat 38] 
Allaah Ta`ala instructs Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), 
“And 
consult with them in the matters.”
[Surah Aale Imraan, Aayat 
59] 
For this reason, to make mashwera is more important an 
efficacious that Istikhaara. However, mashwera should only be 
made with those people who have proper knowledge and 
understanding regarding what you need to make mashwera 
about. They should also be experienced in the matter. In this 
regard there are some pointers to keep in mind regarding the 
type of person you should consult with, he should be; (1) Pious, 
(2) Intelligent, (3) Experienced and (4) confidant (someone 
who can keep a secret). Choosing a person with such qualities 
to make mashwera with will be most beneficial for you in your 
matter. 
Similarly, you should also consult with the elders and pious in 
the family and inform them that you intend sending a proposal 
to a certain girl. It is also important to consult with the close 
family members of the girl. 
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An important point to be taken into consideration by both