ISTIKHARA PRAYERS Hadith: Jabir (ra) says that the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to teach us the method

of Istikhara s he would teach us a surah of the Quran. He exhorted us to perform Istihara when any of us made up his mind to do a thing. He should first pray two raka's of supereragatory prayer and then (in order to seek Divine guidance) recite the Istikhara prayers.(Bukhari) from the handbook of Islamic Prayers p.70 hadith 129. Intention: Uswalli sunnatal Istikharaati rak'ataini lillaahi ta 'aalaa.

O Allah, I ask Thee of the good through Thy knowledge and strength through Thy Power and beg (Thy bounty) through Thine infinite bounty, for Thou has power, while I have none, Thou knowest while I know not and Thou art the Great knower of hidden things. O Allah! If in Thy knowledge this matter a). Be good for my faith, my livelihood and the the consequences of my affair then ordain it for me and make it easy for me and then bless me therein. But if Thou knowest this matter to be bad for my faith, my livelihood and the consequences of my affair then turn it away from me and turn me away form it and ordain it for me the good wherever it be and cause me to be pleased with it.