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English translation
1383. It was narrated that Jâbir bin 'Abdullâh said: "The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ used to teach us Istikhârah, just as he used to teach us a Surah of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak'ah of non-obligatory prayer, then say: Allâhumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fâdlikal-'azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa lâ aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa lâ a'lam, wa Anta 'allâmul-ghuyub. Allâhumma in kunta ta'lamu hâdhal-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) mâ kâna min shay'in khairan li fi dini wa ma'âshi wa 'âqibati amri, aw khairanli fi 'âjili amri wa âjilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li wa bârik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu [O Allâh, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allâh, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, or both in this world and in the Hereafter then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in
Your knowledge]. Then saying similar to what he said the first time, except: Wa in kâna sharrun li fasrifhu 'anni wâsrifni 'anhu wâqdur li al-khaîr haithuma kâna thumma raddini bihi (If it is bad for me then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it).” (Sahih)
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Commentary
a. If, after having prayed the Istikhârah prayer (prayer for seeking guidance), one feels the quietude of the heart in doing the intended task, let him do it, otherwise forsake it.
b. When you reach the words ‘this matter’ in the supplication, mention the name of the task or project that you want to undertake, such as: ‘this marriage, or journey, or business,’ etc., or else, just bring the intended task or project to your mind without mentioning it in words.
c. ‘Turn me away from it’ means: O Allâh! Do not let me do it, and let not the thoughts like: ‘How good it were if I had done it,’ etc., should cross my mind.
