2011/05/10

Istikhara Pray


"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task. The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?
According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah :The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):
WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above.
TRANSLATION: "O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."
How many times?
It depends. Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer as explained in the section below, stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).
Answer:If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.
If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara.

http://www.islamicacademy.org/html/Dua/How_to_do_Istakhara.htm
Guidelines
"Good deeds are not equal to the evil ones. Repel other's evil deeds with your good deeds. You will see that he with whom you had enmity, will become your close friend.
But none will attain this quality except those who patiently endure and none will attain this quality except those who are truly fortunate."

Chapter: 41, Verses 34-35, Al-Quran
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3 Views:

Ibn Hanif on May 10, 2011 at 8:22 PM said...

Assalamu alaikum,

Sister, JazakAllah khair for sharing about Istikhara.

Sister,

The way of doing Istikhara is clear in the hadith itself and there is no mention of a dream as a result of Istikhara. I can not understand why do the scholars add extra activities which do not exist in the ahadith.

In my country (Pakistan)we see professionals who do istikhara for others and get paid for this.

There was also a TV program in which a scholar used to receive calls from the viewers and do the istakhara on the spot for them that too without offering tow Rakat prayer and without reciting the dua taught by the holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

I have also seen that when some people feel that someone has done "Sihar" magic on them they do istikhara and wait for the time to see the "criminal" in the dream.

It's really very sad. Instead of sticking to the teaching of the Prophet (peace be upon him) we have added innovations in our religion.

Now, when something is stolen, do istikhara , see the thief in dream and charge him. No witnesses needed no court and judge needed.

Really sad!


May Allah have mercy on Jabar Bin Abdullah (RA) who did not add anything in the hadith and conveyed for whole ummah till the day of judgement.

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah who brought the light for us.


JazakAllah khair for sharing the hadith. Ameen.

Ibn Hanif on May 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM said...

Assalamu alaikum Sister,

See how a group does online istikhara for others:

"ISTIKHAARA (Relief From Problems)
Alhamdullillah! Hazrat Moulana Bashir Farooqi Qadri treats people through letters, emails and in person at Saylani Welfare Trust. Saylani Welfare Trust's staff works under the supervision of Hazrat & sends the answers to people every day. We fulfill its expenditure through financial assistance of wealthy people from all over the world. Our program (ISTAKHARA) is broadcast on ARY channel, QTV where people from 160 Countries call and get Spiritual and Qura'anic solution for their problems on the spot."

http://www.istikhaara.com

Very sad to see how this group is adding innovations and earning using the name of a truly simple sunnah.

Nuriddeen bint Yusuf on May 14, 2011 at 7:16 PM said...

Subhanala, this is very sad to see -Insha Allah I will look up the dreams aspect of istikara I have heard a sheikh say it is not promised that a dream will come but a dream is one of the way which Allah may advise you, it may also come by way of a feeling or Allah make one option easiest for you (Shiekh Bilal Philips). Allahu Alim, may Allah have mercy on those you unknowingly follow poor guidance.

 
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