Raah-e-Haq राहे-हक़ راہ حق

Muslim scholars describe “Istikhara” as to seek goodness and willingness from Allah (Glorious is He). It means that when one anticipates an important task, they do Istikhara before starting and planning that task. Istikhara is supposed as if one requests to Allah Almighty that, O My Lord, the Knower of Unseen guide me if this is better for me and favorable for me or not?
According to Sahi Hadith written in Bukhari Sharif, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Reported by Jabir bin Abdullah : The Prophet (S.A.W) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):
How to Perform?
After praying two Cycles (raka’) of Ritual Prayer (nawafil) such that in the first raka’ after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Chapter 109 that is known as Surah al-Kafirun in the second raka’ after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Chapter 112 that is known as Surah al-Ikhlas. After finishing up prayer, recite this (supplication/dua’): Dua in Arabic Text above.
TRANSLATION: “O Allah! I seek goodness from your knowledge and with your power (and might) I seek strength and I ask from you your great blessings, because you have the power and I do not have the power. You know everything and I do not know, and you have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ———————————————— (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka’] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it.”
Istikhara – How Many Times?
It depends and varies according to the requirements. Sometimes it took only once to get the answer to the question and sometimes it may take longer. The most better is to perform Istakhara seven (7) times. If you reach to an answer as explained in the below given section, stop practicing Istikhara. It is better and suggested that right after reciting the supplication, as given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (darood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).






Courtesy onlineistikhara.com