Istikhara: How to perform Istikhara prayer for marriage & its benefits I Mufti Menk (2019)
Istikaarah (The prayer for guidence)
• Istikharah : is to seek guidance from Allah when one is faced with a problem to which no solution is apparent (ie buying a house or choosing a partner for marriage)
The Prophet S.A.W said
• "He does not fail who makes Istikharah and he does not regret who makes Mashwarah (consultation)."
• "Success and good tidings for the son of Adam (Insan) is in performing Istikharah and his misfortune lies in not making Istikharah."
Method Of Istikharah
• Perform 2 Rakats Nafl Salat.
• After salaah, with sincerity recite the following
Du'a.
Allaahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as'aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa ta'lamu walaa a'alamu wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. Allaahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal-amr khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy wa-aaqibat amriy, fa'qdruhliy wa-yassirh liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy was-'aaqibat amriy. Fa asrifh annee wa-srif 'anhu. Wa aqdurh liyal khayr hayth kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee
Translation:
O Allah!! Behold I ask You the good through Your Knowledge, and ability through Your Power, and beg (Your favour) out of Your infinite Bounty. For surely You have Power; I have none. You know all; I know not. You are the Great Knower of all things. O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter be good for my faith (Deen), for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and bless me therein. But if in Your Knowledge, this matter be bad for my faith (Deen) for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away therefrom, and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to be pleased therewith.
• While reciting this du'a when one reaches Haadhal Amr (this matter) at both places he should think of his problem.
• If you have not made up your mind after the first day, and some doubt still persists, he should do the same the following day. In this way, he could continue doing this for seven days. Insha Allah, he will come to know of the advantage or disadvantage of that matter.
• “And whosever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him…” [Soorah at-Talaaq (65): 3]