How to perform Istikhara?

[Miss Muslimah]

Salaam everyone

I'm wanting to know how do you perform Istikhara? Also I'm going to be honest and say that I do not read 5 times namaz, however I will be trying to read my namaz 5 times insha'Allah. Do you need to be reading 5 times Salah before doing Istikhara? Also if Istikhara is for marriage purpose do both potential partners need to do this together or can one do it and just rely on what the outcome is? Please if someone can help me on this matter I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Allah Hafiz

 

[thariq2005]

Wa `alaykum salaam wa rahmatullaah sister.

Sister it is a very very big problem if you are not praying the 5 daily prayers. This is the most important thing to a muslim after he has accepted Islaam. Nothing is given more precedence than the 5 obligatory prayers in Islaam (after accepting Islaam).

With all due respect sister- you cannot expect guidance from Allaah (i.e. from Istikhaarah) whilst you are disobeying Allaah by committing a sin (i.e. not praying the 5 prayers ON TIME) that is worse than murder, adultery and drinking wine.

So, I firstly advise you to start praying your 5 daily prayers and then working your way up to the recommended deeds in Islaam. It may first be difficult- but trust me after a while you will get used to it. Make your intention from now on that you are never going to miss one single salaah ever again in your life- even if you are ill, travelling or whatever situation you are in.

I hope Allaah makes this blessed path easy for you and makes you from the people of Jannah.

 

[islamerica]

Salaam everyone

I'm wanting to know how do you perform Istikhara? Also I'm going to be honest and say that I do not read 5 times namaz, however I will be trying to read my namaz 5 times insha'Allah. Do you need to be reading 5 times Salah before doing Istikhara? Also if Istikhara is for marriage purpose do both potential partners need to do this together or can one do it and just rely on what the outcome is? Please if someone can help me on this matter I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Allah Hafiz

Inshallah you are well dear sister.

As the brother mentioned, it is utmost important to not to neglect one's namaz. After the shahada it is the 2nd pillar of Islam that we are commanded to do one time.

Salaah is so called because it is a connection (silah) between a person and his Lord. Whoever does not pray, his zakaah, fasting, Hajj, jihaad, enjoining of what is good, forbidding of what is evil, reading of Qur’aan and upholding of family ties will not be accepted. Indeed, all his good deeds will be rejected if he does not pray.

You can read about the importance of salah here inshallah:

10094, 2182 and 5208

As for istakahrah, it is a dua one makes asking Allah for guidance in a matter he or she is unsure about. Everyone must make their own dua for their own situation. If the girl is religious and good then the marriage could be good for the person so he may get a good results but if the guy is not so religious then it could be bad for her the girl and relying on the guy's istakharah won't help her. So I believe it's important for everyone to make their own dua and ask Allah themselves about their personal problem.

The following links will help in this inshallha.

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Istikhaarah prayer
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/11981

How to pray istikhaarah
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/2217

How to benefit properly from Istikhaarah
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/72255/

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[finding light]

Wa `alaykum salaam wa rahmatullaah sister.

Sister it is a very very big problem if you are not praying the 5 daily prayers. This is the most important thing to a muslim after he has accepted Islaam. Nothing is given more precedence than the 5 obligatory prayers in Islaam (after accepting Islaam).

With all due respect sister- you cannot expect guidance from Allaah (i.e. from Istikhaarah) whilst you are disobeying Allaah by committing a sin (i.e. not praying the 5 prayers ON TIME) that is worse than murder, adultery and drinking wine.

So, I firstly advise you to start praying your 5 daily prayers and then working your way up to the recommended deeds in Islaam. It may first be difficult- but trust me after a while you will get used to it. Make your intention from now on that you are never going to miss one single salaah ever again in your life- even if you are ill, travelling or whatever situation you are in.

I hope Allaah makes this blessed path easy for you and makes you from the people of Jannah.

UMMM! Agreed Salaah is the utmost important thing but I dont think that the fact that she doesnt pray 5 times is a hinderance in asking Allah for guidance through dua'a. Allah is with us always, yes when we dont pray we are committing sin but Allah is still with us and Allah is still listening to us no matter what. Each relationship with Allah is personal and can only be felt with that individual. Allah is constantly pulling us towards Him and it is through means like this - making dua- that we get closer to Him.
"Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (1:4)"

Allah is pleased with us when we turn to Him for help. Sometimes Istikhara cant wait.. After how long can one say that they are regular at prayers? It might take a person who has neglected their prayers to start praying regularly only after one month. So she/he should wait til that time?
My only point here is that I agree that obligatory salah cannot be missed but only Allah knows in our hearts and only Allah can guide. When we make dua'a only Allah knows if it is accepted. So i say there is no harm is doing Istikhara but also make a point to start on your obligatory salaah.
Allah knows best.