NetNavigate Systems

Professional People With A Soft Touch

The Islamic Federation Website lists Chicago Metropolitan Islamic Centers, Mosques, Associations, and Schools.

www.netnavigate.com/if

Istikharah Prayer

Literally, "Istikharah" means to desire good and seek well being. When a person is faced with a dilemma and cannot decide between alternatives regarding an important affair of life, he may observe two rakahs of nafi and recite the prescribed Istikharah prayer for divine help and guidance. The Holy Prophet PBUH has said

"The one who observes Istikharah is never disappointed, and the one who takes counsel never regrets, and the one who spends economically never stands in need of the others help".

According to sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, the holy Prophet PBUH said;

"The fortune of the children of Adam is to seek Divine guidance through Istikharah and to be pleased with Divine will and their misfortune is not to see Divine guidance through Istikharah and to be displeased with Divine will".

Istikharah Prayer-the Way

When a person cannot decide whether he should do a thing or avoid it, he may offer two rakahs of Istikharah prayer, avoiding the forbidden times, just like any nafi prayer, and the after glorifying ALLAH, invoking His blessing on the Holy Prophet PBUH, should recite the Istikharah supplication as taught by the Holy Prophet PBUH, and at the end should go to sleep with the face turned towards the Qiblah. One may observe this prayer seven times like this, and then should follow the course towards which one may find oneself mentally inclined taking it to be in accordance with the will of ALLAH.

Some scholars say that if one dreams of something white or green, one should take it for a beneficial thing and adopt it, and if one sees something black or red one should regard it as harmful and avoid it. If one achieves satisfaction by reciting this prayer once only, then it is not necessary to repeat it for seven nights

"O ALLAH! I seek good from the on the basis of Thy knowledge and implore the for Thy high grace through Thy great powers for Thou art Powerful and i have no power, Thou hast knowledge, and I have no knowledge, and Thou art knower of the unseen.

"O ALLAH! if in Thy knowledge, this thing, (one should mention one's specific need), is good for me, and bless it for me, and if in Thy knowledge it is harmful for me, spiritually and materially, with regard to its ultimate results, keep it way from me, and protect me from it, ordain for me what is good and beneficial, wherever it be, and the cause me to be satisfied and content with the same".