We get a lot of questions regarding Istikhaarah (prayer for guidance) and how to perform it. Seems like this practice is completely neglected until it\u2019s time for choosing a marriage partner. And because many of us don\u2019t practice this on a regular basis, we don\u2019t really know how to perform it, nor what to expect.<\/p>\n
There are some serious misconceptions with regards to Istikhaarah such as:<\/p>\n
– that others have to perform it for you
\n– only the pious people can perform it
\n– you must view or see a dream which is clear
\n– that you cannot ask anyone for their opinion regarding a matter
\n– and the list just keeps going on and on.<\/p>\n
As always, due to our own ignorance we have made something so simple and easy a burden upon ourselves. Also this and many other duas can be found in a small book or even apps now for your phone from a dua book called Hisnul Muslim<\/strong> or Fortress of the Muslim<\/strong>. It\u2019s for a very nominal price and very simple with instructions on how to perform these duas and when to perform them. I highly recommend it as it will probably be one of the best investments you will make.<\/p>\n As we will see from a very detailed explanation below about Salat al Istikhaarah<\/strong> that it is used for many matters and frequently by Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and his companions.<\/p>\n Special Thanks to:Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid \u2013 Islam Q&A<\/em><\/p>\n Praise be to Allaah.<\/p>\n The description of Salaat al-Istikhaarah was reported by Jaabir ibn \u2018Abd-Allaah al-Salami (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all things, just as he used to teach them soorahs from the Qur\u2019aan. He said: \u2018If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak\u2019ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi \u2018ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as\u2019aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta\u2019lamu wa laa a\u2019lam, wa anta \u2018allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta\u2019lamu haadha\u2019l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi \u2018aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa ma\u2019aashi wa \u2018aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allaahumma wa in kunta ta\u2019lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma\u2019aashi wa \u2018aaqibati amri (or: fi \u2018aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni \u2018anhu [wasrafhu \u2018anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi (O Allaah, 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 Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u2013 (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6841; similar reports are also recorded by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa\u2019i, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad).<\/p>\n Ibn Hijr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, commenting on this hadeeth:<\/strong><\/p>\n Istikhaarah is a word which means asking Allaah to help one make a choice, meaning choosing the best of two things where one needs to choose one of them.<\/p>\n Concerning the phrase \u2018The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to teach us to make istikhaarah in all things,\u2019 Ibn Abi Jamrah said: \u2018It is a general phrase which refers to something specific. 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. The issue of istikhaarah is confined to matters that are mubaah (allowed), or in mustahabb matters when there is a decision to be made as to which one should be given priority.\u2019 I say: it refers to both great and small matters, and probably an insignificant issue could form the groundwork for a big issue.<\/p>\n