Islam is a complete code of life that guides a believer in each of his matters. When a person is indecisive i.e., whether a certain thing is good for him or not, one can pray Salat-ul-Istikhara.
Istikhara is a gift from Allah the Almighty for all of his believers and the proof for it can also be found in the sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW). Istikhara for the Umrah is a very good istikhara. Umrah after booking Cheap Umrah Packages is soul soothing. By knowing how to perform Istikhara, one can distinguish between what’s wrong or right for him in life.
Istikhara can be performed for every type of matter, whether you are thinking of switching to a new job or business; confused about marriage with a particular person, or need to make any important decision in life, big or small, one can know how to perform Istikhara and get guidance from Allah Almighty.
Meaning of the word Istikhara.
The word Istikhara is of Arabic origin that linguistically translates to ‘asking for good in a matter’. The Islamic scholars stand firm together on the ruling of Istikhara being valid because its evidence has been found in the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) as well. In fact, the proper guidance on how to perform Istikhara comes from the sunnah.
Significance of Istikhara.
Jabir Bin Abdullah (RA) narrates that in each and every matter, Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) used to teach us the Istikhara. A Surah of the Holy Quran was taught to us and then the Prophet (SAWW) advised that whenever you take any step to do anything, you should offer the two Rakat prayers (Salat-al-Istikhara) and then Dua should be sought from Allah Almighty.
However, one must know that Istikhara supplication is restricted to issues that are Mubaah (permitted) or also in mustahabb matters i.e., when there is a choice to be made.
Note: It is advised for Muslims to consult somebody who has sufficient insight, experience, and authentic religious guidance on the issues regarding Istikhara, and proper information on How to perform Istikhara should be sought before actually opting for this practice themselves.
Etiquettes on How to perform Istikhara.
1.External piety.
For a person intending for Istikhara, it is advised that he/she must dress clean and practice complete hygiene before actually performing the prayer.
2.Interior devotion.
Devotion is a fundamental base of performing Istikhara. One must be as clean internally as he/she is externally when performing Istikhara. Istikhara should be opted for after sincere repentance from Allah Almighty; clearing your brain and heart from all sorts of grudges, filth and desires for materialistic belongings.
3.Making Niyyah.
In Islam, no worship remains acceptable until and unless one has made clear intentions for it beforehand i.e., ‘Niyyah’. Hence, just like any other prayer, the intention for Istikhara prayer also carries utmost importance for someone wishing how to perform Istikhara.
4.Apology to Allah.
Sincere and genuine atonement; repenting of one’s sins and asking for forgiveness from Allah Almighty is one of the fundamental decorums of performing Istikhara.
5.Sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (SAWW).
After praising Allah, the Dua-e-Istikhara must be preceded by sending blessings upon Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW).
6.Genuine trust and conviction.
There ought to be genuine trust and conviction trust in Istikhara prayer in order to for it to work out. One cannot be uncertain and needs to acknowledge that whatever Allah Almighty has liked for him/her, it will be better.
7.The decision of appropriate time.
In order to offer Salat-al-Istikhara, a suitable time should be picked. Morning time as well as the third part of the night are considered to be the two most sacred times because Allah Almighty specifically acknowledges the supplications of his believers during this time.
How to perform Istikhara: Step-by-step guide.
Perform wudu (ablution) for Salat-al-Istikhara. However, if one is in the state of some major physical impurity, ghusl is compulsory.
Making the intention for what and how to perform Istikhara prayer remains a compulsory element. Therefore, one must recite it.
After making the Niyyah, offer two rakah of Salat-al-Istikhara. It is preferred act to recite Surah Al-Kafiroon in the first Rakat after surah Al-Fatiha and surah Al-Ikhlas in the second Rakat after surah Al-Fatiha.
Say Tasleem after the offering of the second Rakat.
One must now raise hands and start making Dua.
In your Dua, firstly praise Allah Almighty by his names and then send salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW).
In making Dua, Naming the matter i.e., for which Istikhara is being done, should be repeated twice (Once while mentioning the Khayr and secondly while mentioning the Shar).
After the Dua of Istikhara completes, one must send salutations upon Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) for a second time.
With this, the Istikhara prayer ends and one should leave the matter entirely in the hands of Allah Almighty now, not worrying about what result might come.
How to perform Istikhara; Can it be repeated?
It is completely normal if one still feels confused about how to perform Istikhara or is still unsure about the matter. Religiously, there exist no restrictions regarding how often one can perform Istikhara prayer for a single matter.
As the primary objective of Istikhara and how to perform Istikhara is a sensation of straightforwardness; as one advances through a matter or a declining appeal for the current matter. Until this particular state is accomplished, one can continue to do the Istikhara because there’s nothing wrong with it.
How to perform Istikhara; conditions for matters
Undertaking Istikhara for issues that are known is completely meaningless. For instance, the matters that are Wajib or mustahabb, there is no requirement for Istikhara.
For the issues that are haram (prohibited) or Makruh (detested), there is no requirement for Istikhara as well to conclude whether to keep oneself away from them or not (because it is referenced before).
The issue of how to perform Istikhara is only bound to such issues that are Mubaah (permitted) or also in mustahabb matters where there is a choice to be made i.e., regarding which condition to be given priority. Istikhara in the Mecca can be very effective in your life. Umrah deals can be purchased from any Hajj umrah travel agents uk
These are some of the essential things that one must know about how to perform Istikhara.