ISTIKHARA

<span class="content1">Would like to know how can one find out the answer to his istikhara. Some &lsquo;Ulama, (scholars) say through dreams, while others say you can&rsquo;t base it on dreams. I would like to know your take on this issue. JazakAllah <br /> <br /> There is a Tradition in The Collection of Tirmidhi (Jame&rsquo; Tirmidhi) about istikhara.&quot; It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him), that he said that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to exhort us to use istikhara in all our important affairs as if He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was teaching us a chapter (Surah) of the Holy Quran.&quot; The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,&quot; When anyone of you decides to do something, he should offer 2 raka'at (of Salaat) apart from the Obligatory (Fardh) Salaat. Then recite this Du&rsquo;a- <br /> <br /> &quot;O Allah I supplicate You for what is good, through Your Knowledge. And I ask You to empower me through Your Power. And I ask You for your great Benevolence. Because only You have (absolute) power and I don't have any. Only You know and I don't know. And You know the unknowable. O Allah, if this affair is good for my religion (Deen), good for my life and for the conclusion of my affair, then destine it for me and ease it for me and make it prosperous for me. If in Your knowledge, this affair is harmful for my religion, my life and for the conclusion of my affair, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it. And grant me good wherever it is for me. And make me contented.&quot; <br /> <br /> Then he/she should present his wish/need. <br /> <br /> There are 2 raka&rsquo;at in Salaat Ul Istikhara. In the first raka&rsquo;at, Surah Kafiroon and in the second raka&rsquo;at Surah Ikhlas should be recited. In Radd ul Muhtaar, Chapter of Witr and optional prayers pg. no 507, 508, it is mentioned, &ldquo;It has been narrated on the authority of some Pious Predecessors (Salaf Saliheen) that in the first raka&rsquo;at, 2 verses of Surah Qasas verses 68 and 69 should be recited. In the second raka&rsquo;at verse no. 36 of Surah Ahzaab should be recited. This should be repeated 7 times. After completing the Salaat, the du&rsquo;a istikhara should be recited. It is Commendable (Mustahab) to praise Allah SWT and send greetings to our Master, Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) before and after reciting the du&rsquo;a. After reciting the du&rsquo;a, the person should perform wuzu and sleep facing the qiblah. If he/she sees the color white or green in the dream, then the affair at hand is good for the person. If the person sees the color black or red, then it should be avoided. Radd ul Muhtaar Chapter of Witr and optional prayers </span>