Salatul Istikhara
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Salatul Istikhara is a Muslim prayer for guidance. A translation of the prayer is
Oh Allah! I ask goodness from You from Your Knowledge and Power.
I ask for Your blessings because You have Power and I do not.
You Know everything that I do not know, and You Know the unknown.
Oh Allah! If this action is good for my religion and faith, for my life and death, for here and hereafter, then make it destined for me. Make it easy for me and give me Your blessing.
Oh Allah! If you know that this action is bad for my religion and faith, for my life and death, for here and hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it.
Whatever is better for me, destine that for me and then make me satisfied with it.
Those seeking guidance are advised to repeat this prayer, typically seven times. Some scholars hold that the prayer will be answered with a dream, or by elements of a dream (for example seeing white or green to indicate a positive response, black or red to indicate a negative).
In Shia Islam, there is also an Istikhara using the Quran. This is similar to an ancient practice in Judaism where the Holy Book is used as a guide in the practice of your free will in decisions. The Istikhara is usually performed by an ulema and a prayer is said before the Book is opened for interpretation.
