Istkhara..

Hina 11(MISS Einstein) · #1 Thursday, August 28, 2008

Procedure and supplication of Istikhara

Question:
how an Istikhara is performed and under what condition one is allowed to do it ?

Response:
If you are in a situation in which you are not sure whether the possibility you are considering is likely to be good for you, you can resort to istikhara and seek Allah Almighty's help in enabling you to take the right decision. From the wordings of the prescribed supplication (du'a) of istikhara, which the prophet, alaihissalaam, taught his companions, the following things seem to emerge:

1. Istikhara has to be done by the person who is seeking guidance from the Almighty. No body else should do it for him/her.

2. There is neither a guarantee nor is it desirable that the one who does istikhara would see a dream that would show him/her the solution to the problem he/she is seeking advice in. In fact, the more likely and desirable thing to happen is that on sincere and repeated mention of the prayer of istikhara, the Almighty through His Grace would make the conditions conducive for the option that is advisable for the individual and his/her own inner inclination would also start tilting towards it.

3. Although there is no definite way of making the istikhara prayer except to continue to repeat it whenever one gets the opportunity, it is desirable that one does it at the end of a Salat (formal prayer).

The following is a transliteration and translation of the prayer of istikhara. Read it for the purpose you have in mind and concentrate on the meanings while doing it.

Allaahumma inni astakheeruka [O Allah I seek Your blessings] bi'ilmika [through Your knowledge] wastaqdiruka biqudratika [and I seek Your help through Your might] wa as'aloka min fadlikal'azeem [and ask your help through Your immense grace] fa innaka taqdiru [as You have all the power] wa laa aqdiru [and I have no power] wa ta'lamu wa laa 'alamu [and You know everything and I know nothing] wa anta 'allaamul ghuyuub [and you are the knower of everything hidden]

Allahaumma [O Allah] in kunta ta'lam [if in Your knowledge] anna haazal amra khairun li [this matter is good for me] fi diini [for my religion] wa dunyaya [my worldly considerations] wa 'aaqibati amri [and the perspective of the eventual outcome of my matters] faqdirhu li [then make it possible for me] wa yassirhu li [and make it easier for me] thumma baarik li fihi [thereafter grace me with Your blessings in it]

Wa in kunta ta'lam [and if in Your knowledge] annahu sharrun li [that it is bad for me] fi diini [for my religion] au dunyaya [my worldly considerations] au 'aaqibati amri [or the perspective of the eventual outcome of my matters] fasrifhu 'anni [then take it away from me] wa sarrifni 'anhu [and take me away from it] wa qaddir liyalkhaira [and arrange goodness for me] haithu kaana [where ever it is] thumma radhdhini bihi [then make me content with it]

Hina 11(MISS Einstein) · #2 Thursday, September 04, 2008

The Prophet of Allah said: `Among the felicities of the children of Adam is that he asks the best from Allah and His pleasure in that which Allah has decreed for him. And among the misfortunes of the children of Adam is abandoning the asking of what is best from Allah and not being pleased with what Allah has decreed. "

The actual meaning of the word Istikhara is to seek the best from Allah in one's affairs, which is not only commendable, but is also highly recommended (mustahab) in Islam. This type of Istikhara which has been continuously mentioned in the ahadith is in actuality, one form or type of supplication (Dua) which Allah Himself has given great importance to in the Holy Book:

"Say: My Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer (supplication)... " (al‑Qur'an 25-77)

In this, the first hadith, before starting any job or action, a supplication, which is a form of Istikhara has been recommended to be performed. We have been told that this is one of the roads that lead to a person's happiness.

Whatever treasures of happiness that God gave to Hafiz

Was from the way of the night supplication and prayers in the morning. (Hafiz)

(2)
Istikhara: A Recommendation from the Ahl al‑Bait

al‑Imam 'Ali (‘as) in the will to his son recommended that, "... (In all your actions) continuously ask (Allah) for the best. "

He also said, `Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best. "

The method of asking for what is best that has been most often mentioned in the ahadith, including the hadith mentioned above and has been emphasized, is that one in which one asks for the best from Allah in the form of a Dua' (supplication).

This type of seeking what is best is not associated with the instance in which a person has a doubt or can not make a decision. Rather, from the traditions of the Ahl al‑Bait (‘as), it is clear that before we carry out any action ‑ no matter how small or insignificant it may be ‑ we are recommended and encouraged to seek help, and constantly remember Allah in all of our affairs.

(3)

Istikhara: As Taught by the Ahl al‑Bait

al‑Imam al‑Baqir (‘as), said: "We (the Ahl al‑Bait) teach the method of Istikhara (asking Allah for what is best) just as we teach the Surahs of the Book of Allah, the Glorious and the High. "

In reality, the Istikhara or asking the best from Allah is a type of spiritual link or connection and request of one's needs from the humble servant to the Needless and Self‑Existing Creator.

The supplications and requesting what is best ‑ both before and during all acts, establishes a deep and continuous relationship between the servant of Allah ‑ who is always in need of help, and his needless Master.

This is the type of Istikhara that has been emphasized by the A'immah of the Ahl al‑Bait , and was part of their natural disposition (fitrah).

The Istikhara with the Tasbih beads and the Qur'an is the final step after one still entertains doubts and uncertainty in his mind and should only be done afterseeking the best from Allah , thinking, weighing out the pros and cons, and requesting advice from others.