A person can pray the Istikharah prayer at any time he wants, provided that he stays away from objectionable times (Al Jazeera)

We become confused about many things...but to whom do we turn and who do we seek advice from?

No matter how much we trust a person, he remains a human being who makes mistakes and makes mistakes. He may be exhausted or in a bad mood, so he does not hear our complaints well and does not give us advice that suits the situation or circumstance.

But from God's mercy toward us, He, with His greatness and majesty, hears us at all times, and we do not need an intermediary to meet Him.

There are many times when we get confused, whether in a job, marriage, travel, or even in all aspects of life.

Therefore, God has prescribed istikharah for us and our noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, urged us to do it. On the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah, may God be pleased with them both, he said: (The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to teach us istikharah in all matters like a surah from the Qur’an) “Narrated by Al-Bukhari. Istikharah is a language that means asking for goodness in a thing. But the request here is from God Almighty with His great power, which keeps the heart attached to Him and distracts it from attachment to humans. In Istikhara, the meaning of servitude to God and reliance on Him is realized, as the Muslim throws his burden on God, confident in His arrangements. Is there anyone who manages as well as Him, Glory be to Him? Is there anyone in His kindness and compassion?

How to pray Istikhara

  • A Muslim prays two non-obligatory rak’ahs and gives the salutation.

  • Then he praises God and sends blessings upon His Prophet (that is, he says: Praise be to God and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of God).

  • Then he says the Istikharah prayer.

    • Doaa istikhaarah

    The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, said: If one of you is concerned about a matter, let him pray two rak’ahs, then say: O God, I ask You for guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek authority from You through Your ability, and I ask You of Your great bounty, for You know and I do not know, and You have power and I do not have power, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. Oh God, if You know that this matter and call it by its name, he says This matter, my marriage to so-and-so, or my travel to such-and-such place, or buying such-and-such, or something like that, helps his need. O God, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then make it easy for me, then bless me in it, and if You know This matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, so turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and then please me with it.

    This is the supplication of Istikhara.

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    Prayer timing

    A person can pray the Istikharah prayer at any time he wants, provided that he stays away from any of these disliked times, which are: after the afternoon prayer until the sunset prayer, after the dawn prayer until sunrise, and about a quarter of an hour before noon, which is considered the time of the sun’s zenith.

    Istikhara is prescribed and recommended in all permissible matters, even if they appear to be good, for we do not have any of the keys to the unseen.

    I am reminded of a story in this context of a close friend of mine who was in urgent need of work. She applied for a job, and on the day of the interview I asked her if she had asked for advice and she said: There is no need for that, as the workplace is very close to my residence and I will not find a better opportunity. You know how difficult it is to get a job in... this country.

    She went with pleasure, and as soon as she returned home, she burned her hand for the first time in her life while preparing tea. That day, she felt as if this was a warning to her from God, and she remembered my words immediately, and she was even more certain of that when it became clear after a while that the person who had appointed her in her place at that job had left the job due to bad behavior. Those in charge of it, and their corruption.

    From that day on, she began to seek God’s advice in every matter that confused her.

    Consultation

    Advice is sometimes given based on Istikhara, when a Muslim consults experienced and righteous people, such as asking about a specific doctor to perform a surgical operation. After consulting and asking, he seeks guidance from God so that his decision is correct, and he never loses. The one who seeks Istikhara has never been disappointed and the one who has consulted has never regretted it.

    So be with God and He will be with you. Entrust your affairs to Him. He will choose for you what suits you and achieve your comfort in this world and the hereafter.

    The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.