Umme Sara Blessing Corner

Assalam-u-alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Often in today's world- we are faced with decisions almost at every point of our lives. Big decisions- small decisions. Decisions that could literally change the outlook of our lives- they could in fact make our lives or break them.

At such crucial times- what is a person to do? How to avail of guidance & that also, guidance-which is INFALLIBLE? Is there any way about it?

Yes, indeed- as muslims- in fact as Ummat-e-Muhammadiya- the Ummath of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)- we enjoy special privileges & rewards. One of this special reward is the Salat-ul-Istikhara.

"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,

Narrated by Hadrat Jabir bin 'Abdullah(Radi ALLAhu ta'ala anhu) :The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi wa aalihi 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 one of you is concerned about some practical undertaking, or about making plans for a journey, he should perform two cycles of ritual prayer [rak'atain], not as an obligatory observance [farida], but voluntarily. Then he should say:

‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’aluka min fadlika al-’azeemi Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-l-amra (Here mention the need or question) Khairun-li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri wa ‘ajil amri wa’ajilihi Faqdirhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra (Here mention the need or question) shar-run li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri wa ajili amri wa ajilihi Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma raddhini bihi.’

(O ALLAH!I ask guidance from YOUR knowledge, And Power from YOUR Might and I ask for YOUR great blessings. YOU are capable and I am not. YOU know and I do not and YOU know the unseen. O ALLAH! If YOU know that this job(here mention the need or question) is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter,If it is better for my present and later needs–Then YOU ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if YOU know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter and If it is worse for my present and later needs-Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it).

{ I am posting the link for the arabic & the urdu version of it as well}
http://www.pakbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Dua-e-Istikhara.gif


The way of reading the above salah is to pray 2 rakah nafil after Isha Prayer with the intention of Salat-ul-istikhara. Then to begin & end the prayer with Durood-shareef & then to go to sleep facing the Qiblah lying as per the Sunnah.

It is preferable to avoid talking to anyone after Salat-ul-Istikhara. Then- inshaALLAH- ALLAH will give hidayah by means of a dream or a feeling and a muslim should believe that it is coming from ALLAH ONLY & follow it.

It is preferable to continue with this salat minimum of 3 days & maximum 7 days. Most of the Fuqaha have mentioned that if you see white or greenery - that is a positive sign.

It is advisable for all muslims to carry out this practice before carrying out any undertaking- be it small or big.

Muslim brothers & sisters- this salat is advisable for all because this will bring us closer to ALLAH (SWT) because we will be basing each & every decision of ours on HIS Hidayah & there will be a self-satisfaction in all of our lives.

I wish you all the very best and remember me in your duas as well.

Wassalam