The Istikhara 3.1

Salat al-Istikhaara, or the Prayer of Seeking Counsel, serves as a significant spiritual practice for Muslims seeking divine guidance when faced with decisions in their lives. It emphasizes the importance of approaching Allah for clarity and support.

Engaging in Istikhaara establishes a connection with Allah, allowing individuals to experience His closeness and divine presence. The more one engages in Istikhaara, the deeper this connection becomes, illuminating one's heart, eyes, and entire being with spiritual light. It is crucial to understand that the benefits derived from Istikhaara stem from the act of performing it personally rather than seeking it through others. There seems to be an unexamined thought process among those who, despite their faith, prefer having someone else conduct Istikhaara on their behalf. This raises questions about their willingness to approach Allah directly or whether they perceive themselves as distant from Him.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of Istikhaara to his companions, instructing them rigorously so that every individual would perform it independently. This guidance applies universally to all members of the Muslim community.

The teachings of the Prophet regarding Istikhaara cover various aspects:

1. Istikhaara is applicable in every endeavor, not solely for major decisions such as marriage.
2. It should be performed not just in times of indecision but also whenever one intends to undertake any task, seeking Allah's goodness regardless of uncertainty.
3. Two units of prayer (rakats) are to be performed, in addition to obligatory prayers.
4. Following these rakats, one should recite the specific Istikhaara supplication and mention their individual need.

In essence, Istikhaara is a heartfelt plea made before Allah, seeking clarity on matters of concern. The practice reinforces a personal connection with the divine and encourages Muslims to trust in Allah's wisdom when navigating life's challenges.