Government by Omen

Estekhareh in its strict sense means looking for good augury. Etymologically, this word goes back to religion and tradition, by which we consult the invisible world in order to pass the worldly affairs for the best.

 Estekhreh has several kinds of which the most well known are Estekhareh by Qoran and Estekhreh by rosary. In different kind of Estekhareh, it is often recommended to regard purity and pray and not to take good omen for injustice or obligations.

In Estekhareh by Qoran, more than in others, it is necessary to consider punctually the purity. Having done the dispositions, we open the holy Qoran and by regarding the first word of the right page or the verse, we can find out whether it will be good or bad omen for us. In some oldly published Qorans, the words of “good” and “evil” had been printed on top pages but at present it is an abolished custom.
In Estekhareh by rosary, we specify firstly our intention in our heart and close our eyes. Then put a third or less of the rosary beads between two fingers of both hands. Finally, we separate the beads in pairs and if one bead is left at last, it signs the “good” mark and if a pairs are left, it will be a sign of “evil”.
Nowadays, this tradition is much more used in marriage ceremonies and for investigating about the solicitors in marriage, but in the old days Estekhareh was much more requested in social affairs so that many of the califates and Sultans demanded it for helping them in their own affairs: Moavieh selecting his son for his regency, Mamun, Abbasi Califat selecting Abdollah ibn Taher for commanding his army, etc…

In Iranian contemporary history, the most interesting Estekhareh is that of Mohammad Ali Shah for cannonading National Consultative Assembly and that of Nasser uddin Shah for minting the false coin!! Advantageously these acts persuaded the opponents, while the act itself opposed to custom and religion.
Estekhareh has had also many advantages for the subordinate officials. In the following telegram you will see how Amir Entezam by writing a telegram to Ghavam Saltaneh misused Estekhareh in order to expand his authority over Kermanshahan and Hamedan provinces. Hereinafler, we read this telegram:
 

Telegraph Administration Govrnment of Iran

Received 19 Sor [1300]
From Hamedan to Tehran

His Excellency, Prime Minister,
As his excellency is informed, I had taken firstly, according to your order, Kermanshahan government for good omen, but it appeared bad. Few days after, I looked for a good augury for Kermanshahan delegates, but this time came also bad. As I dared to tell you personally, I decided definitely to put an end to this fact when I reached to Hamedan by looking again for a good augury, but unfortunately, this time as before did not give me a suitable choice to proceed. I tried another choice to look for a good augury in it. This time, as it came about previously, appeared good omen for both jointly Kermanshahan and Hamedan [!]. If his excellency gives his consult readily please cipher me telegraphichcally the response and I will in return say to you what is necessary.