Istikhara – Seeking Divine Guidance

We have been asked to rely on Allah^-azwj and His Divine messengers^-asws to have ‘Tawakal’ and keep on praying for what have been made permissible and just for us.  However, sometimes, we have to take certain decisions, which may have good or bad outcome and may have significant impact on our lives at later stages.  In addition, one would also like to have Divine blessings for his/her action(s), no matter how important or unimportant these are.  For these reasons, we have been advised by Masomeen^-asws to first carefully analyse the situation and then have consultation with wise and trustworthy brothers-in-faith and preferably seek Divine guidance through supplications and Istikhara.

It is narrated from Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws that whoever does not seek advice from others and acts on his own judgement, frequently risks being caught in turmoil.   Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws also warned and admonished those who would not give a good piece of advice to fellow Muslims even though they are aware of the facts related to the asked issues.[1]

To Whom One Should Consult?

It is narrated from Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws that sometimes there is more harm in consultation than the benefits if certain rules regarding consultation principles are not followed, the person one should consult may belong to one of the followings: (1) be a wise person; (2) be impartial and righteous and (3) be a brother-in-faith and a trustworthy friend and finally give him all the information, as much as you know, so that he may review and assess all aspects (before advising you) and then do not disclose his advice to others.   The benefits of acting on these rules would be that if he is a wise person then you will benefit from his knowledge and expertise, if he is impartial and righteous then he will justify the effort and thinking required in finding you a good solution, if he is your brother-in-faith and sincere friend then he will not reveal your secrets to others.

To Whom One Should not Consult!

It is narrated from Rasool Allah^-saww do not consult with a spineless and timid person as he will make your easy escape difficult, from the calamities in front of you, misers and stingy would stop you from doing any good and reaching your goals and objectives and do not consult with greedy and avaricious[2] as they will recommend and praise the worst possible options.[3]

Once we pass these stages and come to a stage when we have to finalise our course of action(s) then it is recommended by Masomeen^-asws to seek Divine guidance, e.g., whether to perform an act or rather wait for another time?  This final consultation is called Istikhara and may only be seeking for those things, which are under one’s control to act/adapt or decline.  Similarly, Istikhara may be performed on behalf of someone else, if one makes such a request.

The Meanings and Blessings of Istikhara

The meanings of Istikhara are: to seek Divine guidance, to seek the best from Allah^-azwj in one’s affairs. As recommended by Masomeen^-asws in several traditions, e.g.,

(1)

عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: قال الله عزوجل: من شقاء عبدى أن يعمل الاعمال فلا يستخيرنى

It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq^-asws that Allah^-azwj, the most Glorious and the most High said: “One of the reasons for the misfortune of My servant is that he performs an action without seeking the best from Me.[4]

(2)

  (1) اللَّهُمَّ إِنِيِّ أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ، وَ اقْضِ لِي بِالْخِيَرَةِ (2) وَ أَلْهِمْنَا مَعْرِفَةَ الِاخْتِيَارِ، وَ اجْعَلْ ذَلِكَ ذَرِيعَةً إِلَى الرِّضَا بِمَا قَضَيْتَ لَنَا وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِمَا حَكَمْتَ فَأَزِحْ عَنَّا رَيْبَ الِارْتِيَابِ، وَ أَيِّدْنَا بِيَقِينِ الْمُخْلِصِينَ. (3) وَ لَا تَسُمْنَا عَجْزَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ عَمَّا تَخَيَّرْتَ فَنَغْمِطَ قَدْرَكَ، وَ نَكْرَهَ مَوْضِعَ رِضَاكَ، وَ نَجْنَحَ إِلَى الَّتِي هِيَ أَبْعَدُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْعَاقِبَةِ، وَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى ضِدِّ الْعَافِيَةِ (4) حَبِّبْ إِلَيْنَا مَا نَكْرَهُ مِنْ قَضَائِكَ، وَ سَهِّلْ عَلَيْنَا مَا نَسْتَصْعِبُ مِنْ حُكْمِكَ (5) وَ أَلْهِمْنَا الِانْقِيَادَ لِمَا أَوْرَدْتَ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ مَشِيَّتِكَ حَتَّى لَا نُحِبَّ تَأْخِيرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ، وَ لَا تَعْجِيلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ، وَ لَا نَكْرَهَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ، وَ لَا نَتَخَيَّرَ مَا كَرِهْتَ. (6) وَ اخْتِمْ لَنَا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْمَدُ عَاقِبَةً، وَ أَكْرَمُ مَصِيراً، إِنَّكَ تُفِيدُ الْكَرِيمَةَ، وَ تُعْطِي الْجَسِيمَةَ، وَ تَفْعَلُ مَا تُرِيدُ، وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ.

Imam Zain-ul-Abideen^-asws says in Sahifa-e-Kamila”O’ Allah^-azwj, I beg from You^-azwj for the best in Your knowledge, may blessings be upon Muhammad^-saww and his pure progeny^-asws and command me that You^-azwj see the best! Inspire me with knowledge so that I could choose the most appropriate and enable me to act on what you have destined and judged for me and make me content with its outcome!

Inspire us to yield to that which You^-azwj will Bring upon us by Your^-azwj Will, unless we love the delay of what You^-azwj have not hastened and the hastening of what You^-azwj have delayed, and dislike what You^-azwj Love the most, and choose which You^-azwj dislike the most!

Seal us with that which is the most praised in outcome and most generous in issue!  Surely You Give generous gain, Bestow the Immense, do what you Will and You have the Power over everything.’[5]

(3)

وقال صلى الله عليه وآله: من سعادة ابن آدم استخارة  الله ورضاه بما قضى الله. ومن شقوة ابن آدم تركه استخارة الله وسخطه بما قضى الله

The Prophet of Allah^-saww said: `One of the blessings of Allah^-azwj extended to the children of Adam is to seek the best advice from Allah^-azwj and be pleased with what Allah^-azwj has decided for him. One of the misfortunes of the children of Adam is not to consult Allah^-azwj for what is best for him and to remain unsatisfied with what Allah has decided for him.[6]

(4)

جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه عليه السلام قال: كنا نتعلم الاستخارة كما نتعلم السورة من كتاب الله عز وجل

It is narrated from Imam Jafar bin Mohammed^-asws that Imam^-asws said: “We (the Ahl al-Bait) teach the method of Istikhara just as we teach the Surahs of the Book of Allah, the Glorious and the most High.[7] “

(5)

قلت لابي عبد الله عليه السلام: بلغني أنك قلت: ما استخار الله عبد في أمره مائة مرة إلا قذفه بخير الامرين

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq^-asws said: ‘There is no believing slave (of Allah^-azwj) who would ask the best from Allah^-azwj one time in his affair, except that He^-azwj would provide means to select the best between the two ways.[8]

(6)

سمعت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يقول: ” ما استخار الله عزوجل عبد مؤمن إلا خار له، وإن وقع في ما يكره

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq^-asws said: “There is no believing slave (of Allah^-azwj) that asks Allah -the Glorious and High -for goodness except that Allah prepares the best for him even if he would not like it.[9] “

For What Matters One May Take Istikhara?

Istikhara may be taken on anything, which one has under his jurisdiction, excluding those matters, which are related to what would happen in the future, or how, and what someone else would react/do.  Seeking advice of fortune-tellers, palm-readers or any other ‘Amal’ apart from supplications as per traditions of Masomeen^-asws, are certainly forbidden.  One would also not take Istikhara on certain matters which, although are permissible and belong to present but for some reasons outside one’s powers, e.g., if one has no money and there is a request for a loan from a fellow brother then he has no option but to decline the loan request.  Similarly matters related to compulsory/permissible (Wajib/halal) non-permissible (Harram) are also outside the scope of Istikhara.  Those matters which are within one’s means and are permissible under Islamic law are therefore, the ones for which Istikhara is Mustahib, regardless of their value/importance, e.g., issues from buying or selling a house/car to going for a hair cut or buying a pair of shoes.  As per the traditions of Masomeen^-asws:

(1)

عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام أنه كان إذا أراد شرى شئ من العبد والدابة أو الحاجة الخفيفة أو الشئ اليسير، استخار الله عز وجل فيه سبع مرات، فان كان أمرا جسيما استخار الله فيه مائة مرة

Imam Abi Abdullah^-asws would seek guidance from Allah^-azwj whenever Imam^-asws has an intention of buying or selling something, from slaves or animals or the less valuable items or less effort requiring tasks.  And would make supplications to Allah^-asws (before taking Istikhara) seven or one hundred times, depending on the seriousness of an issue.[10]

(2)

قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: ما استخار الله عبد سبعين مرة بهذه الاستخارة إلا رماه الله بالخير يقول: يا أبصر الناظرين ويا أسمع السامعين ويا أسرع الحاسبين ويا أرحم الراحمين صل على محمد وعلى أهل بيته و خر لي في كذا وكذا،

Abu Abdullah^-asws said: When, among the slaves of Allah^-azwj sought guidance, Allah^-asws sends good to him.  So keep on praying for a better solution, even if it exceeds seventy times while sending Salawat on Mohammed^-saww and Aly Mohammed^-asws.[11]

(3)

عن عثمان بن عيسى، عن عمرو بن شمر، عن جابر، عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: كان علي بن الحسين عليه السلام إذا هم بأمر حج أو عمرة أو بيع أو شراء أو عتق تطهر ثم صلى ركعتين للاستخارة، فقرأ فيها سورة الحشر، والرحمن والمعوذتين، وقل هو الله أحد، ثم قال ” اللهم إن كان كذا وكذا خيرا لي في ديني وخيرا لي في دنياي وآخرتي، وعاجل أمري وآجله، فيسره لي، رب اعزم على رشدي وإن كرهت ذلك وأبته نفسي

It is narrated from Ali bin Ibrahim, who from his father, who from Usman bin Isa who from Ummr bin Shamr who heard from Abi Jafar^-asws that whenever Imam Ali Bin Al Hussain^-asws wanted to go for pilgrimage or Umrah or intended to sell or purchase or free a slave, Imam^-asws would seek Divine guidance by performing Wazu/Ablution, offering two-Rakat salat and reciting the following sura’s Al-Hashar, Al-Rahman, Al-Muazateen, and Al-Tawheed. Then would recite the following Dua:-[12]

اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا شَرّاً لِي فِي دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي وَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَ آجِلِهِ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ اصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي رَبِّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ اعْزِمْ لِي عَلَى رُشْدِي وَ إِنْ كَرِهْتُ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَبَتْهُ نَفْسِي

How to Perform Istikhara?

There are several ways of taking out Istikhara, but for the brevity of the article we have only included one method, among several described by the Masomeen^-asws.  Additional traditions from Masomeen^-asws are included in Appendix I and Istikhara by Quran is given in Appendix II.  Here, we present a tradition referred to Imam-e-Zaman^-ajfj

وَ فِيهِ، سَمِعْتُ وَالِدِي قُدِّسَ سِرُّهُ يَرْوِي عَنْ شَيْخِهِ الْبَهَائِيِّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَمِعْنَا مُذَاكَرَةً عَنْ مَشَايِخِنَا عَنِ الْقَائِمِ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فَرَجَهُ فِي الِاسْتِخَارَةِ بِالسُّبْحَةِ أَنَّهُ يَأْخُذُهَا وَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ ص ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ يَقْبِضُ عَلَى السُّبْحَةِ وَ يَعُدُّ اثْنَتَيْنِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَإِنْ بَقِيَتْ وَاحِدَةٌ فَهُوَ افْعَلْ وَ إِنْ بَقِيَتْ اثْنَتَانِ فَهُوَ لَا تَفْعَلْ

It has been narrated from al-Qa’im^-ajfj on taking out Istikhara by ‘Tasbih’ Beads: “The Tasbih should be taken[13], and blessings should be sent on Muhammad and his pure progeny^-asws three times, and then pick a spot on the beads (with your right hand) and count beads two by two (toward the imam). If at the end only one bead remains, then you should take it positive; and if two beads remain (or none when you approach Imam), then you should refrain from performing it.[14]

The Best Way to Perform Istikhara?

 10122 وَ بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْكُلَيْنِيِّ فِيمَا صَنَّفَهُ مِنْ كِتَابِ رَسَائِلِ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع فِيمَا يَخْتَصُّ بِمَوْلَانَا الْجَوَادِ ع فَقَالَ وَ مِنْ كِتَابٍ لَهُ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ فَهِمْتُ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ضَيْعَتِكَ وَ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ زَادَ وَ لْتَكُنِ الِاسْتِخَارَةُ بَعْدَ صَلَاتِكَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ

It is narrated from Imam al-Jawad^-asws: `It is best that you seek the best (from Allah^-asws) after a two rakat Salat.[15].  In another tradition, it is also recommended; perform Ghusal (bath) prior to taking out Istikhara.[16]

The One Who Ignores the Istikhra or its Result!

قلت لابي عبد الله (ع): فمن أبغض الخلق إلى الله؟ – قال(ع): من يتهم الله، قلت: وأحد يتهم الله؟ – قال(ع): نعم، من استخار الله فجاءته الخيرة بما يكره فسخط فذلك يتهم الله

Once Imam al-Sadiq^-asws was asked: “Who is the worst creation in the eyes of Allah?” The Imam^-asws replied, “The one who stages an accusation against Allah^-azwj. The person asked again, “Is it possible for a person to come up with an accusation against Allah^-azwj?” Imam^-asws, replied, “Yes. The one who asks Allah^-azwj for the best and when (the best) is given to him but he does not like what is given to him, and he becomes upset. Thus, this is the one who has staged an accusation against Allah^-azwj.[17]

Supplication of Ali^-asws Bin Al-Husayn^-asws regarding the Istikhara:

(1) اللَّهُمَّ إِنِيِّ أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ، وَ اقْضِ لِي بِالْخِيَرَةِ (2) وَ أَلْهِمْنَا مَعْرِفَةَ الِاخْتِيَارِ، وَ اجْعَلْ ذَلِكَ ذَرِيعَةً إِلَى الرِّضَا بِمَا قَضَيْتَ لَنَا وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِمَا حَكَمْتَ فَأَزِحْ عَنَّا رَيْبَ الِارْتِيَابِ، وَ أَيِّدْنَا بِيَقِينِ الْمُخْلِصِينَ. (3) وَ لَا تَسُمْنَا عَجْزَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ عَمَّا تَخَيَّرْتَ فَنَغْمِطَ قَدْرَكَ، وَ نَكْرَهَ مَوْضِعَ رِضَاكَ، وَ نَجْنَحَ إِلَى الَّتِي هِيَ أَبْعَدُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْعَاقِبَةِ، وَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى ضِدِّ الْعَافِيَةِ

O Allah^-azwj! I^-asws ask for Your^-azwj Best Choice in Your^-azwj Knowledge, so Send Salawat upon Muhammad^-saww and his^-saww and Decree for me^-asws with the best, and Inspire us the recognition of the choice, and Make that to be a means to the pleasure with whatever You^-azwj Decree for us, and the submission to what You^-azwj Decide.

Banish from us the doubts of the suspicions, and Assist us with certainty of the sincere ones, and do not let us be poisoned with the inability of recognising about what You^-azwj Choose and end up despising Your^-azwj Power, and dislike the placing of Your^-azwj Pleasure, and incline towards that which is remote from the good outcome, and nearer to the opposite of well-being.

(4) حَبِّبْ إِلَيْنَا مَا نَكْرَهُ مِنْ قَضَائِكَ، وَ سَهِّلْ عَلَيْنَا مَا نَسْتَصْعِبُ مِنْ حُكْمِكَ (5) وَ أَلْهِمْنَا الِانْقِيَادَ لِمَا أَوْرَدْتَ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ مَشِيَّتِكَ حَتَّى لَا نُحِبَّ تَأْخِيرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ، وَ لَا تَعْجِيلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ، وَ لَا نَكْرَهَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ، وَ لَا نَتَخَيَّرَ مَا كَرِهْتَ. (6) وَ اخْتِمْ لَنَا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْمَدُ عَاقِبَةً، وَ أَكْرَمُ مَصِيراً، إِنَّكَ تُفِيدُ الْكَرِيمَةَ، وَ تُعْطِي الْجَسِيمَةَ، وَ تَفْعَلُ مَا تُرِيدُ، وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ.

Make it to be beloved to us what we dislike from Your^-azwj Decree, and Ease upon us what we find difficult from Your^-azwj Decisions, and Inspire us the submission to what comes upon us from Your^-azwj Desired Decision until we do not love to delay what You^-azwj are Hastening, and hastening of what You^-azwj Want to be delayed, and dislike what You^-azwj Love and we choose what You^-azwj Dislike; and End for us by that which is the praise-worthy conclusion and honourable destination. You^-azwj Give the Honourable Benefit and Give the plentiful, and Do Whatever You^-azwj Want, and You^-azwj are Able upon all things.[18]

How Frequently One Should Seek Istikhara

وَ أَلْجِئْ نَفْسَكَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا إِلَى إِلَهِكَ فَإِنَّكَ تُلْجِئُهَا إِلَى كَهْفٍ حَرِيزٍ وَ مَانِعٍ عَزِيزٍ وَ أَخْلِصْ فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ لِرَبِّكَ فَإِنَّ بِيَدِهِ الْعَطَاءَ وَ الْحِرْمَانَ وَ أَكْثِرِ الِاسْتِخَارَةَ

And shelter yourself in your^-asws affairs, all of them, to your^-asws God^-azwj, for you^-asws will be sheltering it to a cave (which is) protective, invincible, mighty; and be sincere in the asking to your^-asws Lord^-azwj, for the giving and the depriving is in His^-azwj Hand and frequent the ‘Istikhara’ (seeking the Choice of Allah^-azwj).[19] (An extract Bihar vol. 74)

وَ خُضِ الْغَمَرَاتِ إِلَى الْحَقِّ حَيْثُ كَانَ‏ وَ تَفَقَّهْ فِي الدِّينِ وَ عَوِّدْ نَفْسَكَ التَّصَبُّرَ وَ أَلْجِئْ نَفْسَكَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا إِلَى إِلَهِكَ فَإِنَّكَ تُلْجِئُهَا إِلَى كَهْفٍ حَرِيزٍ وَ مَانِعٍ عَزِيزٍ وَ أَخْلِصْ فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ لِرَبِّكَ فَإِنَّ بِيَدِهِ الْعَطَاءَ وَ الْحِرْمَانَ وَ أَكْثِرِ الِاسْتِخَارَةَ

And dive into the depths to the truth wherever it may be, and ponder in the religion, and accustom yourself^-asws to be patient. And shelter yourself in your^-asws affairs, all of them, to your^-asws God^-azwj, for you^-asws will be sheltering it to a cave (which is) protective, invincible, mighty; and be sincere in the asking to your^-asws Lord^-azwj, for the giving and the depriving is in His^-azwj Hand and frequent the ‘Istikhara’ (seeking the Choice of Allah^-azwj).[20] (An extract Bihar vol. 74)

Istikhara Must be taken Only Once:

عَنِ الصَّادِقِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ آبَائِهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‏ مَنِ اكْتَحَلَ فَلْيُوتِرْ وَ مَنْ تَجَمَّرَ فَلْيُوتِرْ وَ مَنِ اسْتَنْجَى فَلْيُوتِرْ وَ مَنِ اسْتَخَارَ اللَّهَ فَلْيُوتِرْ.

From Al-Sadiq^-asws, from his^-asws father^-asws, from his^-asws forefathers^-asws having said: ‘Rasool-Allah^-saww said: ‘One who applies Kohl, let him do it once, and one who burns incense let him do it once, and one who cleans from toilet let him do it once, and one who seek the Choice of Allah^-azwj (Istikhara), let him do it once’’.[21]

APPENDIX I: Traditions of Masomeen^-asws on Istikhara

(1)

النبي صلى الله عليه وآله : يا علي ما حار من استخار، ولا ندم من استشار

The Prophet of Islam^-saww said, “O’ ‘Ali^-asws! Whosoever asks the best (from Allah), will never be confused, and whosoever asks (others) for advice will never be regretful.”[22]

(2)

ما ندم من اسخار  : قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام

Imam ‘Ali^-asws said, “Whosoever asks the best (from Allah^-azwj) will never be regretful.”[23]

(3)

) 3863قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام (استخر و لا تتخير فكم من تخير أمرا كان هلاكه فيه

Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws said: (when you intend to do something), seek Allah^-azwj‘s guidance and do not decide on your own. How many people have acted upon their self-judgment and have met destruction in it? [24]

(4)

قال أبو عبد الله (ع): من دخل في أمر بغير استخارة ثم ابتلى لم يؤجر

Imam al-Sadiq^-asws said: “Whosoever enters into an action without asking Allah^-azwj for what is the best and then falls into a difficulty will not receive the reward ( for being going through the difficulties).[25]

(5)

عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما ابالي إذا استخرت الله على أي طرفي وقعت،

Imam al-Sadiq^-asws said: “It does not matter to me, when I seek the best from Allah^-azwj, which way it falls (whether it results in ease for me, or causes me difficulties).[26]“

APPENDIX II: Iktikhara by Quran-Al-Hakeem

رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَتَفَأَّلَ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَاقْرَأْ سُورَةَ الْإِخْلَاصِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ ثَلَاثاً ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ تَفَأَّلْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ وَ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَيْكَ فَأَرِنِي مِنْ كِتَابِكَ مَا هُوَ مَكْتُومٌ مِنْ سِرِّكَ الْمَكْنُونِ فِي غَيْبِكَ ثُمَّ افْتَحِ الْجَامِعَ وَ خُذِ الْفَأْلَ مِنَ الْخَطِّ الْأَوَّلِ فِي الْجَانِبِ الْأَوَّلِ

Prophet of Allah^-asws said: “Whenever you want to seek the best from the Book of Allah^-azwj, the most Glorious and Great, recite Surah al-Ikhlas three times send blessings on the Prophet and his family three times, then say:

 اللَّهُمَّ تَفَأَّلْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ وَ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَيْكَ فَأَرِنِي مِنْ كِتَابِكَ مَا هُوَ مَكْتُومٌ مِنْ سِرِّكَ الْمَكْنُونِ فِي غَيْبِكَ

O Allah^-azwj! I am seeking the best from Your Book and I am relying upon You^-azwj so show me from Your^-azwj book that what is written from Your^-azwj secrets and known from Your^-azwj Unseen Knowledge.’ Then open the Qur’an and take what is best for you from beginning of the first line on the right side page. “[27]

[1] Tahzib-ul-Islam, Allama Majlasi, U, pp.464

[2] who would do anything for money

[3] Tahzib-ul-Islam, Allama Majlasi, U, pp.465

[4] Al Mahasen, vol. 2, pp. 598

[5] al-Sahifah al-Kamilah of Imam Ali^asws ibn al-Hussain^asws  الصحيفةالسجادية(ع) ص : 156

[6] Tofatul Aqool, pp. 55

[7] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol.88, pp. 224.

[8] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol.88, pp. 257.

[9] Fatah-al-Aiyab, pp. 149

[10] Bihar-ul-Anwar-Vol-88.Page-280

[11] Bihar-ul-Anwar Vol-88.Page-282.

[12] الكافي     3     470    باب صلاة الاستخارة …..  ص : 47, Al-Kafi, Vol, 3, H, 2, also Bihar-ul-Anwar Vol-88.Page-263

[13] Take it in the left hand, holding from connecting bead, also called imam.

[14] مستدرك‏الوسائل     6     265    7- باب استحباب الاستخارة بالدعاء و Bihar al-Anwar, vol 88, pp.250, h.4

[15] Fath al-Abwab, Page 143 / Wasa’il ash-Shi’a, Volume 8, Pp 77.

[16] وسائل‏الشيعة     8     77    5- باب استحباب الدعاء بطلب الخيرة و Al-Qatara, vol.2. pp. 110

[17] Al-Mahason, vol 2, pp. 598

[18] الصحيفة السجادية، ص: 154

[19] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 74

[20] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 74.

[21] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 73 – The book of Etiquettes – Ch 7 H 11 / 12

[22] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 75, pp. 78

[23] Ghurur al-Hikm, pp. 326

[24] Ghurur al-Hikm, pp. 196, غررالحكم          196    أهمية التوكل و فضيلته …..  ص : 96

[25] Al-Mahason, vol. 2, pp. 598

[26] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 88, pp.223

[27]بحارالأنوار     88     241    باب 4- الاستخارة و التفؤل بالقرآن also Bihar al-Anwar, vol 91, pp. 246.