Seeking the Best from Allah (swt) in all affairs
Imam 'Ali (as) in the will to his son recommended that, "... (In all your actions) continuously ask (Allah) for the best. "Nahj al‑Balaagha, Saying 31.
and "Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best." Ghurur al‑Hikm, Saying 3988
Imam Ali(as)-Sahifa 85 For ‘Seeking The Best’
Sahifa Sajjadia dua 33-‘Seeking The Best’
Imam Mohammed Taqi (as) Munajat 01 for ‘Seeking The Best’
Istekara in Sahifa Mahdi (ajtfs)
Source Al-Islam.org book
Section 1: The Necessity of Performing an Istikhara for all Affairs 1) Istikhara: Success for a Muslim
قالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ و آله:
مِنْ سَعادَةِ أبْنِ آدَمَ أسْتِخارَتُهُ اللهَ وَرِضاهُ بِما قَضَى اللهُ وَ مِنْ شَقْوَةِ أبْنِ آدَمَ تَرْكُهُ أسْتِخارَةَ اللهَ وَ سَخَطُهُ بِما قَضَى اللهُ.
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. " 15
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:
(قُلْ مَا يَعْبَؤُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْ لاَ دُعَائِكُمْ...)
"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.
هر گنج سعادت كه خداً داًد به حافظ
اًز يُمن دُعای شب و ورد سحری بود
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
اَلإِمَامُ عَلَيٌّ{ عَليهِ السَّلامْ } فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ إِلى إِبْنِهِ { عَليهِ السَّلامْ } :
...وَ أَكْثَرِ الإِسْتِخارَةَ، إِذا أَمْضَيْتَ فَاسْتَخِرْ.
al‑Imam 'Ali (‘as) in the will to his son recommended that, "... (In all your actions) continuously ask (Allah) for the best. "2
He also said, `Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best. " 37
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. 48
3) Istikhara: As Taught by the Ahl al‑Bait اَلإمَامُ الْباقِرُ{ عَليهِ السَّلامْ }: كُنَّا نَتَعَلَّمُ الإسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا نَتَعَاَّمُ السُّورَةَ مِنْ اللهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ. 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. " 59 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 after seeking the best from Allah , thinking, weighing out the pros and cons, and requesting advice from others.
Section 1: The Necessity of Performing an Istikhara for all Affairs 1) Istikhara: Success for a Muslim
مِنْ سَعادَةِ أبْنِ آدَمَ أسْتِخارَتُهُ اللهَ وَرِضاهُ بِما قَضَى اللهُ وَ مِنْ شَقْوَةِ أبْنِ آدَمَ تَرْكُهُ أسْتِخارَةَ اللهَ وَ سَخَطُهُ بِما قَضَى اللهُ.
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:
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.
اًز يُمن دُعای شب و ورد سحری بود
2) Istikhara: A Recommendation from the Ahl al‑Bait
...وَ أَكْثَرِ الإِسْتِخارَةَ، إِذا أَمْضَيْتَ فَاسْتَخِرْ.
He also said, `Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best. " 37
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. 48
3) Istikhara: As Taught by the Ahl al‑Bait اَلإمَامُ الْباقِرُ{ عَليهِ السَّلامْ }: كُنَّا نَتَعَلَّمُ الإسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا نَتَعَاَّمُ السُّورَةَ مِنْ اللهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ. 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. " 59 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 after seeking the best from Allah , thinking, weighing out the pros and cons, and requesting advice from others.
Use of Tasbih and Quran for coming to a decsion
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 after seeking the best from Allah , thinking, weighing out the pros and cons, and requesting advice from others.
Caution: Please do pre reading and consult Alim
DUA'A 4 If you want to seek divine favour and guidance before doing or undertaking any work there are a few procedures, given in the following dua'a as known as istikharah.
Shaykh al Tusi has advised the seeker of istikhara to have a bath pray a 2 rakat salat and after the salam go into sajdah and recite 3 times :
اسْتَخِيرُ اللهَ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِي كُلِّهَا خِيَرَةً فِي
عَافِيَةِ
Astakheerullaaha Fee Jamee-I Umooree Kullihaa Khiyaratan Fee Aa'afiyatin
After reciting the du-a'a do what you feel just and suitable.
DUA'A 5 : It is reported that Imam Sahib al Zaman has advised the believers to seek istikhara as under :
(i) keep in mind the task with the intention of doing it.
(ii) recite salawat 3 times.
Allaahumma S'alli A'laa Muh'ammadin Wa Aali Muha'ammad
(iii) hold a rosary(trasbih) at any place in your left hand anf from there with the right hand, start moving two beads at a time. If only one bead remains in the end do what you want to do and if two beads are left do not do it. Doing or not doing is optional not compulsory.
DUA'A 6 Refer to du-a'a 5 and do as under:
(i) keep in mind the task with the intention of not doing it
(ii) recite salawat as given in (ii) of du-a'a 5
(iii) do as advised in (iii) of du-a'a but if two beads are left in the end the work has to be done. It becomes obligatory to carry it out, otherwise there is every likelihood of loss and deprivation.
DUA'A 7 We give below the method of istikhara recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq :
Perform Wudu (ablution) or after praying any salat, sit facing qiblah and recite :
(i)Al Fatihaha (Once)
(ii) Al Ikhlas (3 times)
(iii) Salawat (15 times)
(iv) Recite the following dua :
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ الْحُسَيْنِ وَجَدِهِ وَ أَبِيْهِ وَ أَخِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ أَنْ تُصَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّالِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِي الْخِيَرَةَ فِي هَذِهِ السَّبْحَةِ وَ أَنْ تُرِيَنِي مَا هُوَ الْأَصْلَحُ لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ أَصْلَحُ فِي دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ فِعَلَ مَا أَنَا عَازِمٌ عَلَيْهِ فَامُرْنِي وَ إِلَّا فَانْهَنِي
إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
الله لا إله إلا الله .
Allaahumma Inne As-Aluka Bih'aqqil H'usayni Wa Jaddihee Wa Abeehi Wa Akheehi Wa Ummihee Wal A-Immati Min D'urriyyatihee An Tus'alliya A'laa Muh'ammadin Wa Aali Muh'ammadin Wa An Taj-A'la Liyal Khiyarata Fee Hadd'ihis Sabh'ati Wa An Turiyanee Maa Huwal Aslah'u Lee Fee Deenee Wa Dunyaaya Allaahumma In Kaana As'lah'u Fee Deenee Wa Dunyaaya Fi-A'la Maa Anaa A'azimun A'layhi Faamurnee Wa Illaa Fanhanee Innaka A'laa Kulli Shay-In Qadeer.
(v) now hold the rosary in your left hand at any place and start moving one bead at a time with your right hand and say
Subh'aanallaah, Alh'amdulillah, La Ilaaha Illallaah On Three Heads One By One, Continue It Till You Reach The End. If The Last Bead Ends With Subh'aanallaah It Means 'Neither Good Nor Bad". If It Ends With Alh'aamdulillaah It Means Good. And If It Ends With Laa Ilaaha Illallaah It Means Do Not Do It.
DUA'A 8 Given below is the method of seeking istikhara from the holy quaran recommended by the Prophet
(i) Recite al Ikhlas 3 times
(ii) recite salawat at 3 times
(iii) then say:
Allaahumma Innee Tafaa-Altu Bikitaabika Wa Tawakkaltu A'layka Fa-Arinee Min Kitaabika Maa Huwa Maktoobun Min Sirrikal Makanooni Fee Ghaybika
(iv) Open the Holy Quran and derive the indication from the first line of right hand page.
DUA'A 9 Given below is the method of seeking istikhara from the Holy Quran recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq.
(i) Say Bismillaahir Rah'maanir Rah'eem
(ii) Say :
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ إِنْ كَانَ فِي قَضَائِكَ وَ قَدَرِكَ أَنْ تَمُنَّ عَلَى شِيْعَةِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ بِفَرَجِ وَلِيْكَ وَ حُجَّتِكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ فَأَخْرِجُ إِلَيْنَا آيَةً مِنْ كِتَابِكَ
نَسْتَدِلُّ بِهَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ.
In Kaana Fee Qaz'aa-Ika Wa Qadarika An Tamunna A'laa Shi-Ati Aali Muh'ammadin A'layhimus Salaamu Bifaraji Waliyyika Wa H'ujjatika A'laa Khalqika Fa-Akhru Ilaynaa Aayatan Min Kitaabika Nastadillu Biha A'laa D'aalika
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 after seeking the best from Allah , thinking, weighing out the pros and cons, and requesting advice from others.
Caution: Please do pre reading and consult Alim
DUA'A 4 If you want to seek divine favour and guidance before doing or undertaking any work there are a few procedures, given in the following dua'a as known as istikharah.
Shaykh al Tusi has advised the seeker of istikhara to have a bath pray a 2 rakat salat and after the salam go into sajdah and recite 3 times :
DUA'A 5 : It is reported that Imam Sahib al Zaman has advised the believers to seek istikhara as under :
(i) keep in mind the task with the intention of doing it.
(ii) recite salawat 3 times.
Allaahumma S'alli A'laa Muh'ammadin Wa Aali Muha'ammad
(iii) hold a rosary(trasbih) at any place in your left hand anf from there with the right hand, start moving two beads at a time. If only one bead remains in the end do what you want to do and if two beads are left do not do it. Doing or not doing is optional not compulsory.
DUA'A 6 Refer to du-a'a 5 and do as under:
(i) keep in mind the task with the intention of not doing it
(ii) recite salawat as given in (ii) of du-a'a 5
(iii) do as advised in (iii) of du-a'a but if two beads are left in the end the work has to be done. It becomes obligatory to carry it out, otherwise there is every likelihood of loss and deprivation.
DUA'A 7 We give below the method of istikhara recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq :
Perform Wudu (ablution) or after praying any salat, sit facing qiblah and recite :
(i)Al Fatihaha (Once)
(ii) Al Ikhlas (3 times)
(iii) Salawat (15 times)
(iv) Recite the following dua :
Subh'aanallaah, Alh'amdulillah, La Ilaaha Illallaah On Three Heads One By One, Continue It Till You Reach The End. If The Last Bead Ends With Subh'aanallaah It Means 'Neither Good Nor Bad". If It Ends With Alh'aamdulillaah It Means Good. And If It Ends With Laa Ilaaha Illallaah It Means Do Not Do It.
DUA'A 8 Given below is the method of seeking istikhara from the holy quaran recommended by the Prophet
(i) Recite al Ikhlas 3 times
(ii) recite salawat at 3 times
(iii) then say:
Allaahumma Innee Tafaa-Altu Bikitaabika Wa Tawakkaltu A'layka Fa-Arinee Min Kitaabika Maa Huwa Maktoobun Min Sirrikal Makanooni Fee Ghaybika
(iv) Open the Holy Quran and derive the indication from the first line of right hand page.
DUA'A 9 Given below is the method of seeking istikhara from the Holy Quran recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq.
(i) Say Bismillaahir Rah'maanir Rah'eem
(ii) Say :
