Assalamu Alaikum Sir, if it is necessary to do Isthikhara on a matter urgently, what is the correct way of doing it? To perform 2 Nafl Isthikhara Namaz and then open the Qur’an Shareef and come to a conclusion after pondering the meaning of the Ayaath of the opened page? Or, to write ‘Khairan Yarahu’ in 3 slips of paper and ‘Sharran yarahu’ in 3 slips of paper and perform 6 Nafl Isthikhara and after every 2 Nafl take a slip and finally come to a conclusion whether the matter concerned is good or no, by seeing the 3 slips of paper taken after Namaz? If both the ways are incorrect then please inform us a way of making a quick decision in a short time by doing Isthikhara . Thanks.
الجواب حامدا و مصلیا
For this purpose it can be recited
اللَّهُمَّ خِر لی وَاختَر لِی
and proceed with the intended matter, whereas the best and the Sunnath method of doing Isthikhara is, before going to sleep to perform two Raka’aath of Nafl Salath and subsequently make the following Dua.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العظيم، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ ثُمَّ تُسَمِّيهِ بِعَيْنِهِ خَيْرًا لِي فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ قَالَ أَوْ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ [ واصرفه عني ] وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ
When reaching the words هَذَا الأَمْرَ contemplate on the matter in which counsel is sought. Thereafter, sleep on a clean, pure bedding facing the Qibla with Wudhu (ablution). After awakening whatever firm thought comes in the mind regarding the matter sought after is, the best and should proceed with it. This is Isthikhara and the matter should not be proceeded with, if any sort of dissatisfaction appeared in mind. If confusion remained even after the Isthikhara, then it should be done again in the second night. Hence this could be continued in the event of confusion and uncertainty up to seven days. However in case of complete satisfaction or utter dissatisfaction, it is not necessary to repeat Isthikhara, rather proceed according to the firm thought of the mind.