Chosen Islamic Manners
Salah al-Istikharah[1]
*The conditions that apply to Salat al-Istikharah are similar to the conditions of a supererogatory prayer.
*The general conditions of Du'aa (supplication) also apply to the Du’aa made in Salatul-Istikhaarah; such that one should have earned his money through lawful sources and not transgress in his Du'aa.
*Istikharah means that one seeks goodness by asking Allah to help him choose what is best for him.
*One should not seek Istikhaarah in praiseworthy, compulsory,
blameworthy and unlawful things. Istikharah
is to be sought in the Mobaah
(lawful) things. Some scholars state that one can seek Istikharah if he has two compulsory or praiseworthy matters at
hand.
*One will not see a dream, or have a special feeling, when they make Istikharah; rather, one should do what he intends to do.
*It is lawful to repeat the Istikharah more than once.
*There is no specific time to perform the Istikharah, but it is better that one make it during times in which the Du'aa is accepted.
*This prayer is considered among the prayers done during specific occasions and for specific reasons, so one can perform it during a time of prohibition. If one decides to perform it after the time of prohibition, it is better.
*One does not have to recite a specific surah in this prayer, for nothing has been mentioned in this regard in the Sunnah.
*One can make the du'aa of Istikharah after the Salam or before the Salam after the last Ta'shahud.
*One may make Istikharah during the Tahiytaul Masjid prayer or the Sunnah prayer after one performs Wudhu.
*If one cannot perform the prayer due to the place that he is in, he can say the Du'aa separately.
*There is no problem if he reads the Du'aa from a book or if he repeats it after someone.
*One should seek advice before making the Istikharah. Allah says:
And consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). (3:159)
Sa'd
b. Abi Waq'qaas () sought the advice of the Prophet()
when he wanted to give his money out for the sake of Allah.
He () said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I am wealthy and only have a single heir who will inherit me, shall I give out 2/3rds of my money for the sake of Allah? The Prophet () said: 'No.'
[1] Jarir b. Abdullah () said: ‘the Messenger of Allah () used to teach us how to ask
Allah’s guidance *in a matter just as he used to teach us a surah of the Qur’an, saying, ‚When any of you intends to do something he should pray two rak’ahs apart from the obligatory prayers. Then let him say: Al’laahum’ma in’nee as’ta’khee’ro’ka be’ilmik wa astaqde’ro’ka be qod’ra’tik wa as’a’lo’ka min fad’le-ka al-adtheem fin’naka taq’de’ro wa laa aqdir wa ta’lam wa laa a’lam wa anta al’laam al-gho’youb. Al’lahum’ma in konta ta’lam an’na ha’dtha al-Amr_______khairon lee fe de’nee wa ma’aa’shee wa a’qe’bato amree wa aa’je’lih wa a’ji’lih faqdor-who lee wa yas’sirwho lee thom’maa baarik lee fe’he wa in konta ta’lam an’na ha’dthal amr shar’ron le fe de’nee wa ma’a’shee wa aa’qe’bato amree wa aa’je’le-he wa a’ji’lih fas’rif’who an’nee wus’rifnee an’who waqdor le al-khair haitho kaan thom’ma rad’de’nee be’he.
Meaning: O Allah I ask you to guide my choice by Your knowledge, I ask You for strength by Your power, and I ask You of Your great favor, for You have power and I have none, You know and I do not, and You are the One who is Fully Knowing of unseen matters. O Allah, if you know that this matter (and one should name the matter) is good for me regarding my religion, my livelihood, an the outcome of my affair, it its immediate (consequences) and its (the matter’s) final term, ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. But if You know that this matter is bad for me regarding my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair, it its immediate (consequences) and it’s (the matter’s) final term, turn it away from me, turn me away from it, and decree the good for me wherever it is, then make me pleased with it.
to be continued . . . .
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