How to perform "Swalatul-Istikhara"  (seeking guidance from ALLAH in decision making):

Quote from the Holy Qur'an:? suratul Al Imran, verse 159:

"And when you have decided or intends to make decisions, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him] ."

"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do Istikhara before the task.

The one who does the Istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?

Many people have failed in one way or the other today because they refused to consult ALLAH (SWT) in making/taking decisions.

Decisions making could be on seeking for a particular job, particular task, selection of a spouse (husband or wife), embarking on a journey etc.,

According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:---Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) 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)

WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:

>> First pray Two Cycles (rakaa') of ritual Prayer (nawafil) such that in the first rakaa' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second rakaa' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112).

>> If you cannot recite the above surahs (although it is sunnah), you can recite any surah or verse of the Qur'an.

>> After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text below. But if you can not recite in Arabic language, then recite with the translated text or your tribal language. And as you are speaking to Allah (SWT), your mind and heart should be reflecting on the meaning of what you are pronouncing

TRANSLATION: 

"O, Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from 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."

>> NOTE:-- The point you see dotted lines above, is where u will mention your request or what you want ALLAH (SWT) to guide you about before you continue with the remaining supplication.

*How many times?

*Just ones at a time (1X)

*How many days?

*It depends.

>> Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do Istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer as explained below, stop doing Istikhara.

>> You do not have to continue to do Isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that, right after reciting the supplication, 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 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

>> It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication). Any kind correct swalatun nabiyi. Don't recite innovated so-called swalatun nabiyi.

>> The easiest and simplest swalatun nabiyi is:--ALA HUMMA SWALLI WASSALIM ALA NABIYI NA MUHAMMAD (any number u can. 10X, 30X,100X, any number)

*Now.....*

>> If in the dream one sees whiteness (means anything white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means anything green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means anything red in color, for example, blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means anything black in color, for example, black water, black light, black clothing, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

>> If you do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart.

>> Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targeted work or task, follow it after seven days of Istakhara.

>> But if after the number of days (say 7days), and still, you did not dream or feel attached to one of the decisions, as explained above, whether to do or not to do, then you continue. But make sure you did not deceive yourself by getting your heart attached to one of the options before the Istikhara. Surrender to Allah (SWT) 100% to guide you choose.

>> The reasons why you need to continue if after 7days there's no news( I mean no dream, no getting pulled to one of the options), is that:--* 

>> For those who are not engaging in acts which are sinful, like Zina, backbiting, slandering, praying on time or not rushing while in swalaat etc, Allah (SWT) will answer them sharp.

But, if you are the type that goes to your girl or boyfriend to do it, (I mean adultery and fornication), backbiting, slandering, not praying on time, dressing anyhow while going out etc... ALLAH (SWT) will not respond to you on time. You are therefore advice to suspend all acts which are sinful, weeks before you start Istikhara. Say a lot of Istigfar (asking Allah SWT to forgive you)

>> Allah Knows Best <<