Istikhara Prayers (Salat)

www.IqraSense.com
About Istikhara prayers and Dua Jaabir ibn Abd-Allah al-Salami said: The Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all things, just as he used to teach them soorahs from the Quran. He said: If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rakahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: [Dua alIstikhara] (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6841; similar reports are also recorded by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaai, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad). What should a Muslim do when faced with making a choice between multiple halal (permissible) decisions? Seek Allahs guidance by making a two unit (rakaah) prayer (at permissible times only) followed by making the dua that the prophet taught us (Dua al Istikharah) Use our intellect, and knowledge Consult knowledgeable people What does the word Istikhara mean al-Haafiz Ibn Hijr (may Allah have mercy on him) said about the prophets hadith on Istikhara: Istikhaarah is a word which means asking Allah to help one make a choice, meaning choosing the best of two things where one needs to choose one of them. (Kitaab al-Dawaat and Kitaab al-Tawheed.) Matters for which Istikhara should not be done Matters that are waajib (obligatory) or mustahabb (liked or encouraged in Islam) Matters that are haraam (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked) As Ibn Abi Jamrah said about the Istikhara hadith of the prophet: With regard to matters that are waajib (obligatory) or mustahabb (liked or encouraged), there is no need for istikhaarah to decide whether to do them, and with regard to matters that are haraam (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked), there is no need for istikhaarah to decide whether to avoid them. Other matters pertaining to Istikhara Two separate rakaahs of voluntary prayers should be prayed for Istikhara The Dua for Istikhara can be said after the conclusion of the prayers or as Ibn Taymiyyah had recommended, it can be said right before saying salam (at the conclusion of the prayers) Its acceptable to repeat the prayer over a few days until the matter becomes clearer. Dua Al-Istikhara (Arabic)

.
Dua Al-Istikhara (Transliteration) Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa asaluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa talamu wa laa alam, wa anta allaam al-ghuyoob. Allahumma fa in kunta talamu haadhal-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa maaashi wa aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allahumma wa in kunta talamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa maaashi wa aaqibati amri (or: fi aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni anhu [wasrafhu anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi Dua Al-Istikhara (Translation) (O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] 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. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (mention by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.

Misconceptions about making Istikhara People mistakenly rely on dreams to get answers for istikhara. Some people also consult dream books to interpret the symbols in their dreams. This has no basis from any of the hadith of the prophet regarding Istikhara. It is common for people to ask others to make Istikharah on their behalf. (Everyone should perform Istikhara for their own matters.)

www.IqraSense.com