ISTE'KHARAH

The Infallible Imams (a.s.) have given a standard for judging; if an act is in line with the nafs of a person, it is “Shaitani” while an act which is against a man’s nafs, it is “Rahmani”.

Muslims are faced with situations in their lives when they cannot determine if an action is favorable for him or not like travelling, getting their children married or buying a house. Muslims are encouraged to do “Iste’kharah”. Iste’kharah is seeking Allah’s goodness and virtue for the intending action. Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) had compiled a book named “Mafatih-al-Ghaib” in which he had collected various Traditions. He had divided “Iste’kharah into four kinds:
1.       In every action you are contemplating to perform, approach Allah and pray seeking virtue and goodness, and be content with the outcome.

2.       After praying to Allah for the goodness, concentrate on your heart and follow its directions.

3.       After praying to Allah for goodness, consult a believer (Momin) and follow his advice.

4.       Do Iste’kharah from Glorious Qur’an, on tasbih or writing on paper slips and pick up a number of chits.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and other Infallible Imams (a.s.) have strongly recommended praying Allah seeking blessings, goodness and virtues for your actions. It is recommended to recite “Astakhir-Allah Berahmate Khairah Fi Afiyah” in the prostration of the morning prayers 100 times. The Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.) Zayn-al0Abedin (a.s.) used to recite 200 times.

The best alternative is to seek Allah’s directive from the Glorious Qur’an through a pious person (Momin) who possess the following qualities:

1.       He should be intelligent and for-sighted. (Not foolish)

2.       He should be a pious and practicing Muslim(Not a faithless and untrustworthy one)

3.       He should be your friend and well-wisher(Not your enemy or hostile person)

4.       He should keep your secrets (Not disclosing to others)

The Infallible Imam Raza (a.s.) used to consult even with his slaves.

Iste’kharah through chits (pieces of paper):  In the absence of a Momin or any one not fulfilling the four qualities as stated above, one can take six chits of same color. Write “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Khairah min Allah al-Aziz al-Hakim le (Write the name of the person and his mother’s name here). Write “Af’al” meaning do it below the above sentence on three chits. Write “La Taf’al” meaning Do Not Do It below the above sentence on other three chits. Place these six chits below the prayer mat, recite two rakat “salaat of Iste’kharah”. In the second rakat recite 100 times “Astakhir Allah BeRahmate Khairah Fi Afiyah”. After completing the salaat, retrieve the six chits, mix them then pick each chit one by one. If first three chits show “Af’al” then it is better to proceed with the action you were contemplating. If the first three chit shows “La Taf’al”, then it is bad and do not perform that action. If the chit shows mixed message of Af’al and La Taf’al, then pick five chits and follow those direction showing three writings.

In case of shortage of time and the person himself has sufficient understanding of the Glorious Qur’an, and then he may proceed with the Iste’kharah from the Glorious Qur’an.

Shaikh Tusi had narrated in “Tahzeeb” that one Yas’a bin Abdullah Qummi complained to the Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) that he was dual minded about any work he wanted to do. The Imam (a.s.) told him: “when you stand for salaat; whatever comes to your mind, go ahead and do it because that is the time when Shaitan is farthest. Or you can open the Glorious Qur’an and follow accordingly.”

The scholars are divided about requesting other people to seek Iste’kharah for you. Yet another set of scholars do not approve of seeking Iste’kharah by the Glorious Qur’an. They recommend that if there is no dual-mindedness then one should do any work by having trust in Allah.

Source used:

            Iste’aza                                                             Ayatollah Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dasteghaib

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