[Salika]

Originally Posted by Spice

Um, dude. Istikhara is asking for a clarification of things. It has nothing to do with 'Allah making the decision for you'. Its basically asking Allah to guide you towards a direction, because as humans we may perceive something as bad which may hold khair for us- and vice versa.

Qudsia: Here's a link (I havent read the entire thing, but Sheikh Faraz Rabbani is reliable): Istikhara: The Guidance Prayer

Ya, bad wording, but basically (and I'm getting this from the same link you posted) that He is making the decision for you in the sense that you suspend your own inclinations and follow the events that He lays out for you.

"Rather, the istikhara is a prayer that Allah guide you towards that which is best (khayr) for you.

" (From the SunniPath link)

[qudsia]

thanks guys, much appreciated

[Spice]

Originally Posted by sally

i dont really get what its supposed to do...i know i sound really dumb but like, how are you supposed to become sure? wouldnt you have some sort of inkling about whether its ok to proceed with a decision anyway..like a personal bias of sorts..is istikhara supposed to be like, reading a dua before taking a huge step or something more than something that helps you make a decision?

Think of it this way: When you're extremely confused about something-minor or major- it can range from marriage to the decision of moving to a new city- and you think the positive and negative aspects seem to be equal, which leaves you undecided, then turn to Him and ask Him to guide you/nudge you into the direction which will be best for you. Of course its not just when you're confused, its encouraged to do istikhara before any major decision, but generally being human- people do it when they cant rely on their own limited aql.

Anyway, its a beautiful act, confiding in your Lord, acceptng your own weakness and asking Him for His guidance.

As for the personal bias, the thing is its very difficult to leave that out of the process, because a lot of the time you;re doing istikhara for something you feel strongly about- but theres a process to istikhara, and its within the process that one starts to see signs, get feelings. or even experience a complete change of heart. The key is to go into it with a pure intention.

[iTz_NoT_Me_iTzZu]

i don't wanna go to work today

[rawrr]

Okay I was just going through this thread and now I feel stupid because I went and posted in the MPH thread.

I think I actually killed that thread. I haven't seen it come up since I went in there...

[Sugarcore]

Originally Posted by comportment

i made some yesterday to help out my Ammi(arthritis)..
idk why i call my grandma ammi..followin my mom i guess..

My niece calls her grandma ammi too. I've always wondered how that came to be. She calls her mom 'mama' and her dad is 'baba'... that child looks like Dora the Explorer. I think every brown five-year-old with the straight bangs and short hair resembles Dora. :|

[foozball]

Originally Posted by qudsia

ya im personally not a fan because i feel like emotions play into it more than anything else...and if you want something to feel 'right', it will. that aside, it really does make me wonder about someones intentions when they offer to do it for you..especially when they already have an opinion about the matter beforehand.

anyway. thanks guys. i think i'll stick to my magic 8 ball for all serious inquiries.

aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. update

[sumiyia]

so exhausted. and this job is really depressing and is totally bumming me the hell out.

[Sugarberry]

I went running with nooni, it was good times, having a excerise buddy makes it so much easier.

[qudsia]

Originally Posted by foozball

aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. update

...update: yes, i'm going out for chicken guy tonight. istikhara told me to do it!

[Deel]

subhanAllah, when i'm down, my friends never cease to put a smile on my face and i forget about the horrible past couple of days i've had alhamdulilah for friends!

[DramaRani]

Originally Posted by Salika

Awww, chin up!
Insha'Allah you'll land the best of jobs in no time and it'll all be worth it!

inshAllah, Ameen.

Originally Posted by sally

afifa, good luck with the hunt..dont get depressed..its always a good idea to expand your options inshaAllah khair

Its hard not to be depressed. I feel like my life is stuck. I'm not "going" anywhere - I'm not in school (earning some degree) and I'm not working. I know its wrong to feel hopeless and I do have so much to be grateful for Alhumdulillah, but I don't have any options. Its not like I have a degree in Business Admin or whatever, and I can get a job that is vaguely related to my degree. I really have no other choice, but to teach and that's what I want to do. I want to teach. I want my own classroom and my own students. What makes me even more depressed is when people ask me if I have a job lined up for the fall or the fact that they hear/think/have the impression that there are so many teacher shortages. If I had a job for the fall, wouldn't I tell them? If there were so many teacher shortages, would I be so worried about getting a job?

Anyway, I can't help being down. I worked so hard to earn my degree and I've never wanted anything so badly in my life. I've started avoiding certain groups of friends, not going to dawats anymore or anything. I just can't stand the questions and the look of "you're a failure" on some of my "friends'" faces and parents' friends' faces.

I just want a full time teaching position Allah Swt. Please?

Originally Posted by PhDGirl

Maybe a change of scene will be good for you! Good luck.

Yeah, my parents are having issues with that - specifically my dad. There's no way I'm commuting from Baltimore to VA or even other parts of Maryland. I'd have no choice, but to move. I think my dad just really wants me to be able to save money considering teachers' salaries are on a 10-month scale and the fact that the pay isn't all that high. He hasn't come out straight and said that he's against it, but I can just tell by the look on his face that he isn't that pleased.

Originally Posted by Caramel_Candy

Aww iA Khair. Good luck and duas coming your way

Thanks .

[heba]

hey yall
life sucks. i bought ANOTHER dress to make me feel better.

[jaani]

@DR: I know the feeling you're going through and I really feel I could do something productive to make you feel better.........but, I'm definitely keeping you in my dua'as. Depression is no fun. Try not to avoid your family, friends, or dawats too often or else people will start 'talking'

If you can, make a short week long trip to somewhere you can relax and enjoy and just get away from everything. It'll help you

While you're still searching for a teaching job, why not get a part/full time job just to occupy your time. This will bring in some extra cash and your mind won't be constantly stressing over the fact that you don't have the job you desire

~j

[heba]

time heals all wounds. time heals all wounds. time heals all wounds.

time heals what reason cannot.