Two istikhara's, 2 slightly different outcomes

[Maysam22]

Salam Alaykum to all,

I have recently graduated from uni with a Bachelors of Engineering. I've applied for a Masters and it is a specialisation on a subject I am very keen on. It has been for months that I have been considering my options and I can't come to a decision. I'm not sure if my future would be beter with the Masters I choose. I did two istikhara's with an alim. The first one was for the Masters and my niyyah was if I would have a good future and good job opportunities with this degree. The result came out as 'good'. Now in the second isitkhara, I had a similar niyyah and the answer was 'very good'. I've discussed this with the alim and he explained to me that maybe doing a Masters will have good benefits albeit with some difficulties on the way to achieving the degree. Analysing the second istikhara, he said that the possibility exists that I would find a job very quick and would also have a good future with it. 

For doing the Masters I have to borrow an additional loan from the government of about 10000 pounds in addition to a similar amount of savings. If doing the Masters, my debt will increase to nearly 50000 pounds. Ofcourse with a Masters I could end up with a much better pay.  I am really confused as what to decide in this situation. I hope someone can help me in this tricky decision.

[Hassan-]

You follow the istikhara of course. Why would you do an istikhara if the first place if you will end up being hesitant in following what it tells you? Allah (awj) is giving you His advice, you should act upon it.

Quote

al‑Imam al‑Sadiq (as) said: "Whosoever seeks the best from Allah in his affair, and acts upon one of the options (either performs or does not perform an action) but has something enter into his heart (unhappiness or doubt regarding to how he acted), has leveled an (unfounded) accusation against Allah." 

It is possible that not being truly happy with the outcome of the Istikhara has it roots in one of the following:

1. Doubt whether Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى truly wants the best (for His servants), which in reality is laying an unsupported accusation that Allah is greedy and does not want good for His servants.

2. Doubt in the knowledge of Allah concerning what is truly good, which in reality is laying the charge that Allah is ignorant and is imperfect.

3. Doubt in the power of Allah in deciding what is truly the best. This action charges Allah with being weak and powerless.

4. Doubt that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى does not pay attention to His servants and their asking for the best from Him. This action insinuates that there is some defect in the mercy of Allah .

One must have complete certainty in whatever Allah has decided, and be pleased that He would do only what is good for His servants. This is because without a doubt, Allah will guide His servants to that which is good and that in which lies his betterment, however many sins the servant of Allah has on his record.

15) Being Distanced from the Mercy of Allah

سُئِلَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله عَليهِ السَلامْ:

مَنْ أَبْغَضَ الْخَلْقِ إِلىَ الله؟ قَالَ عَليهِ السَلامْ: مَنْ يَتَّهِمُ إلَيْهِ. قِيلَ وَ أحَدٌ مَنْ يَتَّهِمُ اللهَ؟ قَالَ عَليهِ السَّلام نَعَمْ. مَنِ اسْتَخَارَ اللهَ فَجَائَتْهُ الْخِيَرَةُ بِمَا يُكْرِهُ فَسَخَطَ. فَذَاِلِكَ يَتَّهِمُ اللهَ.

al‑Imam al‑Sadiq (as) was once asked: "Who is the worst creation in the eyes of Allah?" The Imam (as) ,replied, "The one who levels an accusation against Him (Allah). " The person retorted, "Is it possible for a person to level an accusation against Allah?" The Imam (as) ,replied, "Yes. The one who asks Allah for the best and it (the best) is given to him but in the way of something that he does not like, and he becomes upset. Thus, this is the one who has leveled an accusation against Allah. ‘

[Maysam22]

7 minutes ago, Hassan- said:

You follow the istikhara of course. Why would you do an istikhara if the first place if you will end up being hesitant in following what it tells you? Allah (awj) is giving you His advice, you should act upon it.

 

I fully understand your point here. Astaghfirullah, I am not doubting Allah in any way. Rather, I am trying to choose between the two options as they both are good. But it seems that Allah want the best for me in the second istikhara which resulted in being 'Very good '. So do you mean I should choose this one?

[Hassan-]

1 hour ago, Maysam22 said:

I fully understand your point here. Astaghfirullah, I am not doubting Allah in any way. Rather, I am trying to choose between the two options as they both are good. But it seems that Allah want the best for me in the second istikhara which resulted in being 'Very good '. So do you mean I should choose this one?

You should follow whatever the istikhara told you brother.

[rkazmi33]

Doesn't Islam discourage us from taking debt? My suggestion is that you should try to look for a job and try to pay off your existing debt. You can study for masters while working. You can take online or weekend classes. Many people complete their masters while working. It just takes more time. Istekhara doesn't say you cannot work or you have to do masters right now. 

[zahra1234]

you have to follow istikhara result in first time

[Maysam22]

The problem here is that I cannot decide what since both of the istikhara's are good. I didn't do istikhara twice for the same issue. They're two different issue and the second istikhara came out 'very' good compared to 'good' in the first instance. I don't know what decision to make; whether or not go for the masters based on the istikhara's. I'm thinking of following the 2nd one since it's more in my favour.