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’
Source Al-Islam.org book
Section 1: The Necessity of Performing an Istikhara for all Affairs 1) Istikhara: Success for a Muslim
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.
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. "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
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
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:
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.
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. "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
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 7 We give below the method of istikhara recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq(as) :
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 :
وَأَنْ تُرِيَنِي مَا هُوَ الْأَصْلَحُ لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ
Wa an turiyanī mā huwa al-aṣlaḥu lī fī dīnī wa dunyāya.
And that You show me what is best for me in my religion and my worldly affairs.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ أَصْلَحُ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ فِعْلُ مَا أَنَا عَازِمٌ عَلَيْهِ فَأْمُرْنِي
Allāhumma in kāna aṣlaḥu fī dīnī wa dunyāya fiʿlu mā anā ʿāzimun ʿalayhi fa’murnī.
O Allah! If it is better for my religion and my worldly life to carry out what I intend to do, then command me to do it.
وَإِلَّا فَانْهَنِي إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Wa illā fa’nhanī innaka ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr.
And if not, then turn me away from it, for surely You have power over all things.
(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
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، اللهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ.
Subḥānallāh, al-ḥamdu lillāh, lā ilāha illā Allāh.
Glory be to Allah, all praise belongs to Allah, there is no god but Allah.
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:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي تَفَاءَلْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ، وَتَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَيْكَ، فَأَرِنِي مِنْ كِتَابِكَ مَا هُوَ مَكْتُوبٌ مِنْ سِرِّكَ الْمَكْنُونِ فِي غَيْبِكَ.
Allāhumma innī tafā’altu bi-kitābika, wa tawakkaltu ʿalayka, fa-arinī min kitābika mā huwa maktūbun min sirrika al-maknūni fī ghaybik.
O Allah! I seek good through Your Book, and I place my trust in You. So show me from Your Book what is written of Your hidden secret in Your unseen knowledge.
(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.(as)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
إِنْ كَانَ فِي قَضَائِكَ وَقَدَرِكَ أَنْ تَمُنَّ عَلَى شِيعَةِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ بِفَرَجِ وَلِيِّكَ وَحُجَّتِكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ،
In kāna fī qaḍā’ika wa qadari ka an tamunna ʿalā shīʿati Āli Muḥammadin ʿalayhimu s-salām bifaraji walīy-ka wa ḥujjat-ka ʿalā khalqi-ka,
If it is within Your decree and destiny to bestow favor upon the followers of the family of Muhammad — peace be upon them — through the relief and deliverance of Your representative and proof over Your creation,
فَأَخْرِجْ إِلَيْنَا آيَةً مِنْ كِتَابِكَ نَسْتَدِلُّ بِهَا عَلَى ذٰلِكَ.
Fa-akh’rij ilaynā āyatan min kitābi-ka nastadillu bihā ʿalā dhālik.
Then bring forth for us a sign from Your Book by which we may be guided to that (relief).
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 7 We give below the method of istikhara recommended by Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq(as) :
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 :
(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
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:
(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.(as)
Istekhara Chapter In Sahifa Mahdi (ajtfs)
Source almonji.com
A supplication regarding Istekhara issued from the holy threshold of Imam Mahdi (ajtfs) and is the last letter issued from his holiness during the Short Occultation period.
Mohammad bin Ali bin Mohammad writes in his book that: ‘The Istekhara of names’ which is performed by the clerics and is recited in the Prayer of Requests and elsewhere, and which Abu Dulf Mohammad bin Muzaffar (R.A.) has reckoned as the last letter issued by Imam Mahdi (A.S.) during his Short Occultation period, is as follows:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي عَزَمْتَ بِهِ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ،
Allāhumma innī as’aluka bismika alladhī ʿazamta bihi ʿalā as-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ,
O Allah! I ask You by the Name with which You commanded the heavens and the earth,
فَقُلْتَ لَهُمَا إِئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ،
Faqulta lahumā: i’tiyā ṭawʿan aw karhan, qālatā ataynā ṭāʾiʿīn,
And You said to them: “Come willingly or unwillingly,” and they said, “We come willingly.”
وَبِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي عَزَمْتَ بِهِ عَلَى عَصَا مُوسَى،
Wa bismika alladhī ʿazamta bihi ʿalā ʿaṣā Mūsā,
And by Your Name with which You commanded the staff of Mūsā,
فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ.
Fa-idhā hiya talqafu mā ya’fikūn,
And behold! It swallowed up what they had falsely made.
وَأَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي صَرَفْتَ بِهِ قُلُوبَ السَّحَرَةِ إِلَيْكَ،
Wa as’aluka bismika alladhī ṣarafta bihi qulūba as-saḥarati ilayk,
And I ask You by the Name with which You turned the hearts of the magicians towards You,
حَتَّى قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، رَبِّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ،
Ḥattā qālū: āmannā bi-rabbi l-ʿālamīn, rabbi Mūsā wa Hārūn,
Until they said: “We believe in the Lord of the worlds — the Lord of Mūsā and Hārūn.”
أَنْتَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ،
Anta llāhu rabbu l-ʿālamīn,
You are Allah, the Lord of all worlds.
وَأَسْأَلُكَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ الَّتِي تُبْلِي بِهَا كُلَّ جَدِيدٍ،
Wa as’aluka bil-qudrati l-latī tublī bihā kulla jadīd,
And I ask You by the Power through which You wear out all that is new,
وَتُجَدِّدُ بِهَا كُلَّ بَالٍ.
Wa tujaddidu bihā kulla bālin,
And renew all that has grown old.
وَأَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ كُلِّ حَقٍّ هُوَ لَكَ،
Wa as’aluka bi-ḥaqqi kulli ḥaqqin huwa lak,
And I ask You by every right that belongs to You,
وَبِكُلِّ حَقٍّ جَعَلْتَهُ عَلَيْكَ،
Wa bi-kulli ḥaqqin jaʿaltahu ʿalayk,
And by every right You have made binding upon Yourself,
إِنْ كَانَ هٰذَا الْأَمْرُ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي،
In kāna hādhā l-amru khayran lī fī dīnī wa dunyāya wa ākhiratī,
If this matter is good for me — in my religion, my world, and my Hereafter,
أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَتُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ تَسْلِيمًا،
An tuṣalliya ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad, wa tusallima ʿalayhim taslīman,
Then bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, and grant them peace,
وَتُهَيِّئَهُ لِي، وَتُسَهِّلَهُ عَلَيَّ،
Wa tuhayyi’ahu lī, wa tusahhilhu ʿalayya,
And make it ready for me and easy for me,
وَتُلَطِّفَ لِي فِيهِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
Wa tulattiфа lī fīhi bi-raḥmatika yā arḥama r-rāḥimīn,
And make it gentle for me through Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
وَإِنْ كَانَ شَرًّا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي،
Wa in kāna sharran lī fī dīnī wa dunyāya wa ākhiratī,
But if it is evil for me — in my religion, my world, and my Hereafter,
أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَتُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ تَسْلِيمًا،
An tuṣalliya ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad, wa tusallima ʿalayhim taslīman,
Then bless Muḥammad and his family, and grant them peace,
وَأَنْ تَصْرِفَهُ عَنِّي بِمَا شِئْتَ، وَكَيْفَ شِئْتَ، وَحَيْثُ شِئْتَ،
Wa an taṣrifahu ʿannī bimā shi’ta, wa kayfa shi’ta, wa ḥaythu shi’ta,
And turn it away from me as You will, how You will, and where You will,
وَتُرْضِيَنِي بِقَضَائِكَ، وَتُبَارِكْ لِي فِي قَدَرِكَ،
Wa turḍīyanī bi-qaḍā’ik, wa tubārika lī fī qadarik,
And make me pleased with Your decree, and bless me in what You ordain,
حَتَّى لَا أُحِبَّ تَعْجِيلَ شَيْءٍ أَخَّرْتَهُ،
Ḥattā lā uḥibba taʿjīla shay’in akhkartahu,
So that I do not long for the hastening of what You have delayed,
وَلَا تَأْخِيرَ شَيْءٍ عَجَّلْتَهُ،
Wa lā ta’khīra shay’in ʿajjaltahu,
Nor wish to delay what You have brought forth,
فَإِنَّهُ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِكَ،
Fa-innahu lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bik,
For surely there is no power and no might except through You,
يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَظِيمُ، يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ.
Yā ʿAliyyu yā ʿAẓīm, yā dha l-jalāli wa l-ikrām,
O Most High, O Most Great, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour!
First Istekhara
In his book ‘Mibah’, Allama Hilli (R.A.) says: This Istekhara has been narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.) in the following way: Recite chapter Al-Hamd ten times or three times or once, then recite chapter Al-Qadr ten times, then recite the following supplication thrice: Beautiful — this is the Duʿā of Istikhārah (seeking divine guidance).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ لِعِلْمِكَ بِعَاقِبَةِ الْأُمُورِ،
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka li-ʿilmika bi-ʿāqibati l-umūr,
O Allah! I seek the best from You, knowing You alone know the outcomes of all things,
وَأَسْتَشِيرُكَ لِحُسْنِ ظَنِّي بِكَ فِي الْمَأْمُولِ وَالْمَحْذُورِ،
Wa astashīruka li-ḥusni ẓannī bika fī l-maʾmūl wa l-maḥdhūr,
And I seek Your counsel, trusting in You for what is hoped and what is feared.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ الْأَمْرُ الْفُلَانِيُّ (وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ)،
Allāhumma in kāna al-amru l-fulānī (wa yusammī ḥājatuh),
O Allah! If this particular matter (and he names his need),
بِمَا قَدْ نِيطَتْ بِالْبَرَكَةِ أَعْجَازُهُ وَبَوَادِيهِ،
Bimā qad nīṭat bi-l-barakah aʿjāzuhu wa bawādīh,
Is one whose end and beginning are tied with blessing,
وَحُفَّتْ بِالْكَرَامَةِ أَيَّامُهُ وَلَيَالِيهِ،
Wa ḥuffat bi-l-karāmah ayyāmuhu wa layālīh,
And whose days and nights are surrounded with honour and grace,
فَاخْتَرْ لِيَ اللَّهُمَّ فِيهِ خِيَرَةً،
Fakhtir lī Allāhumma fīhi khīrah,
Then, O Allah, choose for me in it the best of choices,
تَرُدُّ شُمُوسَهُ ذَلُولًا، وَتَقْعَضُ أَيَّامَهُ سُرُورًا.
Taruddu shumūsahu dhalūlan, wa taqʿaḍu ayyāmahu surūran,
Making its suns calm and its days filled with joy.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِمَّا أَمْرٌ فَأَئْتَمِرُ، وَإِمَّا نَهْيٌ فَأَنْتَهِي،
Allāhumma immā amrun fa’a’tamir, wa immā nahyun fa’antaihi,
O Allah! If it be a command — then I act upon it,And if it be a prohibition — then I abstain from it.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ خِيَرَةً فِي عَافِيَةٍ.
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka bi-raḥmatika khīratan fī ʿāfiyah,
O Allah! I seek the best from You, through Your mercy,A choice that brings well-being and ease.
After reciting the supplication, hold a portion of the Tasbih chaplet (keeping in mind your intention) and count. After counting the number of beads that you held from the chaplet, if the quantity turns out to be odd, perform the work, and if it turns out even, do not perform it.[1] [1] Al Baladul Ameen: p. 231; Al Misbah: p. 515; a similar th
Second Istekhara
Allama Majlisi writes in his book ‘Bihar ul Anwaar’ that: I heard from my father that he narrated this tradition from Sheikh Bahayi (R.A.) who said: I was having a conversation with my teacher as they said: It is narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.) regarding Istekhara through chaplet that he said: Take a chaplet, recite Salawaat on Mohammad and his Holy Progeny (P.B.U.T.) three times, then hold a portion of the chaplet and count two-two beads till the end, if one bead remains, then perform your intended work; and if two beads remain, then do not perform it.[1]
[1] Bihar ul Anwar: 91/250
THIRD ISTIKHARAH
It has arrived in the book ‘Al Mukhtar min Kalemaatil Imam al-Mahdi (A.S.)’: With regards to the Istekhara through chaplet, such Istekhara is permissible which narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.). One of the clerics permitted me to perform this Istekhara so that I can perform it for myself and also permitted me to allow others to perform it. Therefore, with respect to the permission I was granted, in the context of explaining how to perform this Istekhara, I give permission to everyone so that they can perform Istekhara in the following way: Begin by sayingبِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ , then recite Salawaat three times and recite a short supplication like this one: ‘«يا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ إِهْدِ مَنْ لايَعْلَمُ» (O’ He who knows, guide someone who doesn’t know), or say: ‘”«يا رَبِّ خِرْ لي ما هُوَ الصَّالِحُ» (O’ Lord, select for me what is good for me), or any other similar supplication. After reciting the short supplication, hold a portion of the chaplet and count; if the number was odd, perform your intended work; and if the number was even, forsake it.[1]
[1] Al Mukhtar min Kalemaatil Imam al-Mahdi (A.S.): 2/539
THE FOURTH ISTIKHARAH
I saw in some ancient book this Istikharah which was ascribe to our master, the leader of the time, peace be on him: In the first place you recite Surah Al-Fatihah till you reach His sayingِ««إِهْدِنَا الصِّراطَ المُسْتَقيمَ , after reading this verse, you send blessing to the Prophet and his pure progeny for (3) three times, and recite the following(3) three times «يا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ إِهْدِ مَنْ لايَعْلَمُ» "O' He who knows, guide he who knows not" then hold any part of your Tasbih Tasbih and start counting it till the end of the Tasbih, if the last one is in odd number, you can go ahead with the issue but if it is even number you desist from the issue. If you still desired to know more about the issue you observe second Istikharah with the intention of abandoning the issue, if the first Istikharah was go ahead and the second Istikharah is abstinence then going ahead is good, but if the first Istikharah was abstinence and the second one is going ahead, then doing such thing or leaving it has no any difference. Is also applies that if the first Istikharah was abstinence and the second Istikharah is also abstinence, then it is incumbent to completely abstain from the issue.
FIFTH ISTIKHARAH WITH Tasbih
The author of Jawahir said: there is another common Istikharah among the people of our time. Perhaps it was attributed to our master Al-Qa'im may our souls be sacrifice for him, as follows: To grasp the Tasbih after reciting the supplication and start dropping it eight one after the other, at the end if the Tasbih remain one, the issue is good, if it remain two, it is one abstinence from the issue, if it remains three, you have the option whether to do it or to leave it, if it remain four, it is abstinence twice from the issue, if it remains five, there shall be difficulty on the process, if it remains six, it is good to go ahead and it also necessitate quick action, if it remains seven, it is like if it remains five and if it remains eight, it is abstinence from the issue four times.[1]
[1]- Al-Baqiyati Ssalihat i.e the margin of Mafatihul Janaan: 411.
Source almonji.com
A supplication regarding Istekhara issued from the holy threshold of Imam Mahdi (ajtfs) and is the last letter issued from his holiness during the Short Occultation period.
Mohammad bin Ali bin Mohammad writes in his book that: ‘The Istekhara of names’ which is performed by the clerics and is recited in the Prayer of Requests and elsewhere, and which Abu Dulf Mohammad bin Muzaffar (R.A.) has reckoned as the last letter issued by Imam Mahdi (A.S.) during his Short Occultation period, is as follows:
First Istekhara
In his book ‘Mibah’, Allama Hilli (R.A.) says: This Istekhara has been narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.) in the following way: Recite chapter Al-Hamd ten times or three times or once, then recite chapter Al-Qadr ten times, then recite the following supplication thrice: Beautiful — this is the Duʿā of Istikhārah (seeking divine guidance).
After reciting the supplication, hold a portion of the Tasbih chaplet (keeping in mind your intention) and count. After counting the number of beads that you held from the chaplet, if the quantity turns out to be odd, perform the work, and if it turns out even, do not perform it.[1] [1] Al Baladul Ameen: p. 231; Al Misbah: p. 515; a similar th
Second Istekhara
Allama Majlisi writes in his book ‘Bihar ul Anwaar’ that: I heard from my father that he narrated this tradition from Sheikh Bahayi (R.A.) who said: I was having a conversation with my teacher as they said: It is narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.) regarding Istekhara through chaplet that he said: Take a chaplet, recite Salawaat on Mohammad and his Holy Progeny (P.B.U.T.) three times, then hold a portion of the chaplet and count two-two beads till the end, if one bead remains, then perform your intended work; and if two beads remain, then do not perform it.[1]
[1] Bihar ul Anwar: 91/250
THIRD ISTIKHARAH
It has arrived in the book ‘Al Mukhtar min Kalemaatil Imam al-Mahdi (A.S.)’: With regards to the Istekhara through chaplet, such Istekhara is permissible which narrated from Imam Mahdi (A.S.). One of the clerics permitted me to perform this Istekhara so that I can perform it for myself and also permitted me to allow others to perform it. Therefore, with respect to the permission I was granted, in the context of explaining how to perform this Istekhara, I give permission to everyone so that they can perform Istekhara in the following way: Begin by sayingبِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ , then recite Salawaat three times and recite a short supplication like this one: ‘«يا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ إِهْدِ مَنْ لايَعْلَمُ» (O’ He who knows, guide someone who doesn’t know), or say: ‘”«يا رَبِّ خِرْ لي ما هُوَ الصَّالِحُ» (O’ Lord, select for me what is good for me), or any other similar supplication. After reciting the short supplication, hold a portion of the chaplet and count; if the number was odd, perform your intended work; and if the number was even, forsake it.[1]
[1] Al Mukhtar min Kalemaatil Imam al-Mahdi (A.S.): 2/539
THE FOURTH ISTIKHARAH
I saw in some ancient book this Istikharah which was ascribe to our master, the leader of the time, peace be on him: In the first place you recite Surah Al-Fatihah till you reach His sayingِ««إِهْدِنَا الصِّراطَ المُسْتَقيمَ , after reading this verse, you send blessing to the Prophet and his pure progeny for (3) three times, and recite the following(3) three times «يا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ إِهْدِ مَنْ لايَعْلَمُ» "O' He who knows, guide he who knows not" then hold any part of your Tasbih Tasbih and start counting it till the end of the Tasbih, if the last one is in odd number, you can go ahead with the issue but if it is even number you desist from the issue. If you still desired to know more about the issue you observe second Istikharah with the intention of abandoning the issue, if the first Istikharah was go ahead and the second Istikharah is abstinence then going ahead is good, but if the first Istikharah was abstinence and the second one is going ahead, then doing such thing or leaving it has no any difference. Is also applies that if the first Istikharah was abstinence and the second Istikharah is also abstinence, then it is incumbent to completely abstain from the issue.
FIFTH ISTIKHARAH WITH Tasbih
The author of Jawahir said: there is another common Istikharah among the people of our time. Perhaps it was attributed to our master Al-Qa'im may our souls be sacrifice for him, as follows: To grasp the Tasbih after reciting the supplication and start dropping it eight one after the other, at the end if the Tasbih remain one, the issue is good, if it remain two, it is one abstinence from the issue, if it remains three, you have the option whether to do it or to leave it, if it remain four, it is abstinence twice from the issue, if it remains five, there shall be difficulty on the process, if it remains six, it is good to go ahead and it also necessitate quick action, if it remains seven, it is like if it remains five and if it remains eight, it is abstinence from the issue four times.[1]
[1]- Al-Baqiyati Ssalihat i.e the margin of Mafatihul Janaan: 411.
