Salah (prayer) for Istikharah (asking Allah to Choose for One What Is Good)

“Abu ’Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah to choose for you what is good. By Allah, if a Muslim asks Allah to choose for him what is good, He certainly chooses for him as such.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Whenever Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would think of performing Hajj, ‘Umrah or buying, selling or setting free a slave, he would first cleanse himself (take Wudu’ or bath), then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) for Istikharah in which he read chapters 55 and 59. After completing Salah (prayer) he would read chapters 113, 114 and 112 while still in a sitting position. He then say, ‘O Lord, if such and such thing is good for me in this world and for my religion, immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please make it easy for me in the best manner and make it come beautiful. O Lord, if such and such thing is bad for my religion and my worldly matters immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please keep it away from me. O Lord, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving your cause), please grant me determination with guidance even if I dislike it and my soul refuses.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you think of doing something, take six pieces of paper and write on three of them, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. It is to ask from Allah, the Majestic, the Wise, what is good for so and so son of so and so, “do it.’” On the other, three write, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. It is to ask from Allah, the Majestic, the Wise, what is good for so and so son of so and so, “do not do it.’” Keep them under your prayer rug and perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer). After completing Salah (prayer), make a sajdah and say one hundred times, ‘I ask Allah, through His mercy, to choose what is good and safe.’ Then sit straight and say, ‘O Lord, pick and choose for me in all matters with ease and safety.’ Then mix the pieces and take out one. If three times, consecutively it comes ‘do it’, then you may do what you wanted to do. If three times consecutively it comes ‘do not do it,’ then do not do what you wanted to do. If one comes ‘do it’ and the other comes ‘do not do it’ continue taking out up to five pieces, then see which side is more then follow the side which is more and ignore the sixth piece.’”

“Al-Hassan ibn Jahm asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), for ibn Asbat; ibn Asbat and we all were present. ‘Should he travel by land or by sea to Egypt? Please tell him about the best road by land.’ The Imam said, ‘By land, but go to the Masjid in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah, one hundred times, to choose for you the best. Then see what comes in your mind, then act accordingly.’ Al-Hassan then said, ‘By land is what I like for him.’ The Imam said, ‘I also like for him by land.’”

“I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Do you advise if I travel by land or by sea? Our road is very dangerous and frightening.’ The Imam said, ‘Travel by land but there is no offense, if you go to the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah; perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Thereafter ask Allah, one hundred times, to choose for you the best, then see what comes in your mind. If Allah has decided for you by sea, then say the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “He said, ‘Go onboard in the name of Allah who sets it afloat and anchors it down. My Lord is forgiving and merciful’” (11:41). If you find the sea turbulent then lean on your right side and say, “In the name of Allah, calm down with the serenity of Allah, rest by the dignity of Allah and quiet down by the permission of Allah. There is no means and power without help from Allah.’” “We then asked him, ‘What is al-Sakinah (serenity)?’ The Imam said, ‘It is a wind that comes out of paradise and has a face like the face of man and it has a fine fragrance. It is this wind that descended down to Ibrahim (Abraham) and circled around al-Bayt (Ka’bah) when he was placing the pillars.’ It was asked: ‘Is it of that which Allah, the Most Majestic, the most Glorious, speaks, “In it there is Sakinah from your Lord, and remainder of that which people of Moses left and so did people of Harun (Aaron) ’”(2: 246). The Imam said, ‘That al-Sakinah was in the Ark (chest) in which there was a tray wherein the hearts of prophets had been washed. And the Ark circled among the children of Israel with the prophets and then it came to us.’ He asked, ‘What is your Ark?’ We said, ‘It is the armaments.’ He then said, ‘You are right. That is your Ark.’ The Imam said, ‘If you travel by land, then say what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Free of all defects is the One who has made it subservient to us, otherwise, we could not reach it (our destination). To our Lord we all return.” (42:13-14) If any servant (of Allah) says it during his riding he will not, by the permission of Allah, fall off his camel or horse or get hurt.’ He then said, ‘When you come out of your home say, “In the name of Allah, I believe in Allah, I assign Allah as my attorney, there is no means and power without the help of Allah.” The angels strike the face of Satans and say to them, ‘He has spoken the name of Allah, believed in Allah and has assigned Allah as his attorney and has said, “There is no means and power without the help of Allah.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘If one of you may think of doing something, he should perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer), then praise Allah, speak of His greatness and say, “Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause).” Thereafter say, “O Lord, if this matter is good for my religion and worldly matters, please make it possible for me with ease; and if it is otherwise, keep it away from me.’” I then asked, ‘What should I read in the two Rak‘at Salah (prayer)?’ The Imam replied, ‘You may read whatever you like. You can read Chapter 112 or 109.’”

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Sometimes I may get two different opinions: one for and the other against what I think to do, what then I should do?’ The Imam said, ‘If such is the case, then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah, one hundred and one times, to choose for you what is best. Thereafter choose the matter for which your determination is stronger; the choice is for it, by the will of Allah. Your choice should be based on what is safe; sometimes it is better for a man to see his hand cut off, or his son die or his property gone.”’

“The Imam (a.s.), said to one of his companions who had asked about an issue that he wanted to do but did not find any one to consult with. The Imam said, ‘Consult your Lord.’ He then asked, ‘How should I do so?’ The Imam replied, ‘Keep in your mind what you wish to do, then write two pieces of paper, “yes” on one and “no” on the other. Place them inside two balls of clay, perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and place them under your furnishing and say, “O Allah, I consult You in this matter and You are the best consultant and advisor. Grant me a sign about that which is beneficial and is of good consequences,” then take out one of the papers; if it is “yes”, then do what you wanted and if it is “no” then do not do it. This is how you consult your Lord.’”