Kindly comment on the authenticity of this Hadith and is it suitable for practise and how do you act on it?
عن أبي بكر الصديق أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أراد أمرا قال اللهم خر لي واختر لي
Answer
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith. He has declared the Hadith weak.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3516)
However, this form of istikharah is supported by the practice of Sahabah and is therefore suitable to quote and act upon.
(Refer: Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1557)
You could simply recite the du’a before deciding on a matter or before doing something.
Translation
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) intended doing something he would recite Allahumma khir li wakhtar li [O Allah! Make this good for me and choose the better option for me].”
See a booklet on the topic of istikharah here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar