๐ In The Name Of Allah
The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
๐ Although it is not obligatory
(waajib or fardh), praying Salat Al-Istikhaara and then seeking Allah’s
Guidance before making an important choice has a positive impact on your heart
once you’ve finalized your decision. You feel a lot more at ease and contented
when you’ve prayed Salat Al-Istikharah than if you didn’t perform this
rewarding Sunnah at all. The more you strive to adhere to the Sunnah (tradition)
of the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, the closer you get
to Allah the Almighty and Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala never decrees anything
evil for those believers whom He loves and guides.
Some instances when it is recommended to pray Salat Al-Istikhaara:
1] Before a man sends his marriage proposal and agrees to officially meet the
parents or male mahrams of the woman whom he wishes to marry.
2] Before a woman says yes or no to the marriage proposal she receives.
3] Before deciding to relocate or move to a different city.
4] Before intending to quit one’s present job to search for a new profession.
5] Before agreeing to attend a social gathering or visit a friend at their
residence.
6] Before selling an item and one feels unsure about giving it up for sale.
7] Before finally choosing to emotionally disconnect and distance oneself from certain
individuals who have proven to be toxic, too incompatible and untrustworthy.
8] Before signing up for some courses or workshop or choosing to skip college
and focus on early marriage.
9] Before making the final attempt at trying to reconcile with some former acquaintances.
What happens after you have prayed Salat
Al-Istikhaara?
1] You feel relaxed after you have finalized your decision, whether it involved
pursuing something you wanted or canceling a plan, aware that when you’re loved
by Allah the Most Wise, He Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala only grants and allows what is
best for you in this world and the Hereafter.
2] You don’t feel guilty, anxious, regretful, agitated or disappointed if
something didn’t work out well due to what you’ve confidently decided to do for
Allah’s sake.
3] You don’t feel doubtful, insecure or skeptical after the choice you’ve made
even if many individuals try to convince you to change your decision.
How to pray Salat Al-Istikhaara:
1] Perform wudhu/ablution.
2] Fix your niyyah with the intention that you’re about to pray Sunnah Salat
Al-Istikhaara consisting of two Rak’ahs similar to the two Sunnah Rak’ahs which
we’re encouraged to pray before praying Salat Al-Fajr.
3] Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and then Surah Al-Kaafiroon in the first Rak’ah, then
Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Ikhlaas in the second Rak’ah quietly (not
audibly like in Fajr, Maghreb and ‘Ishaa prayers).
4] After the Tasleem, say the prescribed Du’a to be said after the Salat
Al-Istikhaara preferably with your hands raised and facing towards the Qiblah
direction.
5] Once you’ve completed saying the Istikhaara Du’a, carefully measure the pros
and cons of the decision you’re about to make (to do or not to do something)
then finally decide with absolute feelings of certainty, believing that the
outcomes which follow your choice are all decreed by Allah the Most Loving and
He Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala knows what is beneficial and suitable for you.
Allahu A’lam.
๐ Ibn 'Abbas RadhiAllahu 'anhuma narrated: I was riding behind
the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam when he said to me,
"Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will
protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask,
ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations
were to gather together to benefit you, they will not benefit you unless Allah
has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they
will not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you. The pens have been
lifted and the pages have dried."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2516
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi
๐ Jabir Ibn Abdullah RadhiAllahu
'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “When
one of you has a matter of concern (must make a decision), let him perform two
cycles of prayer besides the obligatory prayers. Then, let him say, ‘O Allah, I
seek guidance from Your knowledge and Power from Your Might, and I ask You from
Your tremendous favor. Verily, You have Power and I do not have power, and You
know and I do not know. You are the Knowing of the unseen. O Allah, if You know
that this matter is good for my religion and my livelihood and my destiny, or
if it is better for my present and latter needs, then decree it for me and make
it easy for me and bless me in it. But if You know that this matter is evil for
my religion and my livelihood and my destiny, or if it is worse for my present
and latter needs, then divert it from me and keep me away from it, and destine
what is good for me and then make me contented with it.‘ Then mention his need.”
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhārī 1166
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/11/note-no-i-dont-regret-marrying-my.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/11/poem-advice-for-muslim-wives-to-not.html
https://youtu.be/F_0zaMnixyk
