Monday, July 17

Salat ul Istikharah

The Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) taught us how to do so. He told us that if we are faced with decisions in life and are unable to make up our mind, we must approach Allah through Prayer. This Prayer is called Prayer of Istikharah. It is a Sunnah or a highly recommended act. The specific method of doing it, is as follows:

First, one must offer a Prayer of two rak`ahs with the intention of seeking guidance from Allah. Then he should offer the following supplication:

"Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi`ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-azim, fa'innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta`lamu wa la a`lamu, wa anta `allamu-l-ghuyub.
Allahumma, in kunta ta`lamu anna hadhal-amra [here mention your case] khairun li fi dini wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati 'amri (or 'ajili amri wa`ajilihi) faqdurhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in ta`lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati 'amri (or `ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu `anni was-rifni `anhu, waqdur liya al-khaira haithu kana thumma 'ardini bihi.”

(O Allah, I seek Your help in finding out the best course of action (in this matter) by invoking Your knowledge; I ask You to empower me, and I beseech Your favor. You alone have the absolute power, while I have no power. You alone know it all, while I do not. You are the One Who knows the hidden mysteries. O Allah, if You know this thing (I am embarking on) [here mention your case] is good for me in my religion, worldly life, and my ultimate destiny, then facilitate it for me, and then bless me in my action. If, on the other hand, You know this thing is detrimental for me in my religion, worldly life, and ultimate destiny, turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree what is good for me, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.)

After having done so, he should follow the decision that he is strongly inclined to. If he feels no such inclination, then he should choose one of the options; he can rest assured that Allah will guide his steps. It has been reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "One who asks Allah for guidance in choosing the best course of action will never be a loser."
It is not at all necessary for a person to have visions or dreams following Istikharah. However, if a person does experience a vision or dream, and he feels strongly about it, he should follow it.”
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Though this was just a short reminder of Salat ul Istikharah, better knowledge and greater understanding may be acheived inshaAllah by reading:
"The three abandoned prayers" by Shaykh Adnaan aali Uroor.
MashaAllah for under £5 its a fab, useful book, covering Salat ul Istikharah and its rulings, Salat ul Tawbah and its conditions and Salat ut Tasbeeh and its establishment.
JazakhumAllah khairun

A LETTER TO YOU FROM YOUR OLD FRIEND ...

M. T. Soul

666 Lost Lane

Anytown

Sinshire

LO5 ERS

I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores.

You awoke without kneeling to pray Fajr.

As a matter of fact, you didn't even say Bismillah before your meals, or pray Isha before going to bed last night.

You are so unthankful, I like that about you.

I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living, Fool, you are mine.

Remember, you and I have been going steady for years, and I still don't love you yet. As a matter of fact, I hate you, because I hate Allah. I am only using you to get even with Allah. He kicked me out of heaven, and I'm going to use you as long as possible to pay him back.

You see, Fool, ALLAH LOVES YOU and HE has great plans in store for you. But you have yielded your life to me, and I'm going to make your life a living hell. That way, we'll be together twice. This will really hurt Allah. Thanks to you, I'm really showing Him who's boss in your life with all of the good times we've had.

We have been watching dirty movies, cursing people, out stealing, lying, being hypocritical, fornicating, overeating, telling dirty jokes, gossiping, Being judgmental, back stabbing people, disrespecting adults, and those in leadership positions, No respect for the Mosque, bad attitudes. SURELY you don't want to give all this up.

Come on, Fool, let's burn together forever. I've got some hot plans for us.

This is just a letter of appreciation from me to you. I'd like to say "THANKS" for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible, I laugh at you. When you are tempted to sin, you give in - HA HA, HA, you make me sick.

Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You look 20 years older, and now, I need new blood. So go ahead and teach some children how to sin. All you have to do is smoke, get drunk or drink while under-aged, cheat, gamble, gossip, fornicate, and live being as selfish as possible. Do all of this in the presence of children and they will do it too. Kids are like that.

Well, Fool, I have to let you go for now.

I'll be back in a couple of seconds to tempt you again.

If you were smart, you would run somewhere, repent for your sins, and live for Allah with what little bit of life that you have left.

It's not my nature to warn anyone, but to be your age and still sinning; it's becoming a bit ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, I still hate you. IT'S JUST THAT YOU'D MAKE A BETTER FOOL FOR ALLAH.

Yours Sinfully,

SHAYTAN

P.S. If you really love me, you won't share this letter with anyone.