S e e k i n g t h e b e s t f r o m A l l a h !
"O' Allah, I ask from You the best in Your knowledge, so bless Muhammad and his household and decree for me the best! Inspire us with knowledge to choose the best and make that a means to being pleased with what You have decreed for us and submitting to what You have decided!"
A selection from al‑Sahifah al‑Kamilah al‑Sajjadiyah of al Imam 'Ali ibn al‑Husain
Zain al‑`Abidin
ISTEKHARA CAN NOT BE DONE IF...
BEST TIMINGS TO PERFORM ISTEKHARA
VARIOUS FORMS / METHODS OF ISTEKHARA
ISTEKHARA BY DUA / SALAAT (PRAYERS)
WHAT DOES ISTEKHARA MEAN?
"Istekhara literally means to `ask the
best' from Allah (God). In common sense, Istekhara means finding God's will in
one's own personal / life matters / tasks and then acting or deciding
accordingly.
Istekhara is a sort of seeking guidance from Allah, when you are unable to decide about a lawful matter. Istekhara is not to be done for each and every thing because it was not intended for that purpose. Usually we should use our common sense and wisdom / intellect and weigh things properly, to decide about them, However, for any reason or under any circumstances, if we are unable to make a decision then we can seek the help of Allah by doing Istekhara.
If there is no way for a person to decide whether to perform a task or not, and in the state of confusion/double mindedness and uncertainty, instead of simply guessing and performing the act, the person seeks refuge with the All-Knowing Allah OR after seeking advice from those people who are well informed and knowledgeable, if there still remains doubt, then and only then should one perform an Istekhara.
The famous Islamic scholar of his times, Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Taba'taba'i has concluded:
"When a person makes the intention to perform a certain act, then he has no choice but to investigate concerning it, and as much as he is able to, he must ponder and think ‑ using the power that Allah has given him ‑whether or not to do that particular thing. In the event that he is not able to come to a conclusion (if what is good for him is in that act), then he must ask others for advice and let his decision lie on the advice of others ‑ those who are able to offer advice and have the ability to distinguish between good and bad.
The Istekhara is the means from which one is saved from doubt and uncertainty. The Istekhara is nothing more than an act that provides "satisfaction of the heart," "removes doubt and uncertainty," and is a tool for "hope, prosperity and happiness." However, as for the after‑effects that will happen in the future by either performing or not performing the action, they are not the responsibility of the Istekhara, and the Istekhara has no relation to this.
it is better that each person performs an IstEkhara for himself.
While performing an act which is either forbidden or is obligatory. e.g. Istekhara can not be performed for committing an act which is unethical or illegal. Similarly, it can not be done for an act which is responsibility/duty and has been made obligatory e.g. performing prayers / hajj.
BEST TIMINGS TO PERFORM ISTEKHARA
| DAY | BEST TIMINGS FOR ISTIKHARA |
| Saturday | After Fajr prayers to 10:30 am, 12:30 noon to 4:00 pm |
| Sunday | After Fajr prayers to time of Zuhur prayers, then from Asr prayers to time of Maghrib prayers |
| Monday | After Fajr prayers to sunrise, then from 10:00 am to time of Isha prayers |
| Tuesday | From 10:00 am to time of Zuhur prayers, then from time of Asr prayers to time of Ishra prayers |
| Wednesday | After Fajr prayers to 11:40 am, then from time of Asr prayers to time of Ishra prayers |
| Thursday | After Fajr prayers to sunrise, then from time of Zuhur prayers to time of Ishra prayers |
| Friday | After Fajr prayers to sunrise, then from time of Zuhur prayers to time of Asr prayers |
There are many forms, but here the most common are being quoted.
1- ISTEKHARA BY DUA / NAMAAZ (PRAYERS)
Shaykh al Tusi has advised the seeker of Istekhara to have a bath pray a 2 rakat salaat and after the salaam go into sajdah and recite 3 times :
Astakheerullahaa fee jamee-e-umoori kulleyha khairatan fee aafiyatin
After reciting the du-a'a do what you feel just and suitable.
Given below is the method of seeking Istekhara from the holy quran recommended by the Prophet
(i) Recite al Ikhlas 3 times
(ii) recite salwaat (Allah Humma Salley Ala Muhammad-in Wa’Aal-e- Muhammad) at 3 times
(iii) then say:
Allah Humma inni Tafaalato Bekitabika Wa Tawwakalto Alaika Fa'arinee min Kitabika Ma howa maktoobu'n min sirrikal-maknoon-e fee ghaibika.
(iv) Open the Holy Quran and derive the indication from the first line of right hand page.
3- ISTEKHARA BY ROSARY (TASBEEH)
It is reported that Imam Sahib al Zaman has advised the believers to seek Istekhara as under :
(i) keep in mind the task with the intention of doing it.
(ii) recite salwaat 3 times:
Allah Humma Salley Ala Muhammad-iyoo'n Wa’Aal-e- Muhammad
(iii) hold a rosary (tasbih) at any place in your left hand and 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.
Whatever the outcome may be, whether it is in accordance with one's wishes or against one's desires, it must be accepted. One must have certainty that He will decide the best for His servants and that He has the power to give or withhold whatever is best for His servant. In short, the servant must have complete satisfaction and peace of heart that after performing the Istekhara, whatever is truly the best for him is the only thing that Allah will decide.
