A New Muslim: September 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

1st Shahaada, China

--------------------------2009, China, I learned the 1st Shahaada

Prayer Istikhaarah

"Istikhara" means to seek guidance from Allah (Exalted is He), When we have to make major life-changing decisions:

whether to undertake a major project or not, whether to apply for a promotion or not,

whether to change career or not, whether to invest in a certain company or not,

whether to get married or not, whom to get married to, etc

The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?

The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer)

WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:

First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil)

such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109)

and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112).

fter finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above.

How to pray Salat-ul-Istikhara step-by step:

1. Perform Wudu (the ablution) if you do not have it already.

2. Pray 2 raka’at either with the intention of praying Istikhara separately by itself or jointly with 2 rakat of,

for example, tahajjud.

3. Immediately after you have completed the 2 rakats, recite the Istikhara Dua.

4. Name the deed you wish Allah to provide you with guidance about.

5. Follow An Nawawi’s advice on how to interpret Allah’s guidance (again see above).

6. There is no limit on the number of times you can pray Salat-ul-Istikhara.

Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven times. If you have received an answer as explained in the section below,

stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people

who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla

(facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon

him before and after the above Dua (supplication).

If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color,

for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing,

red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara.

"O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."

Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika,

Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa asaluka min

fadlika al-’azim Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru,

Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu,

Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub.

Allahumma,

in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa

ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi)

Faqdirhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi,

Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi

wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu.

Waqdir li alkhaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi

3 Rakah (Witar)

●When one wants to recite Qur’an, one should these two beforehand:

1) Aaozu billa hi minasshaitan-nir-rajeem

2) Bismillaa hirrahmaan nirraheem

●Take Wazu before offering prayer

●Niyyat: to make ur mind for the prayer

I am reciting two sunnah of fajar in the name of Allah by facing towards Kabba for almighty Allah

Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory to You, O Allah, and Yours is the praise. And blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty. And there is no deity to be worshipped but You	Subhaana ka’lla hu’mma waa bi hamdlika wa-ta baara kasmuka wa ta' aalaa jad-duka wa laa ilaaha ghairuka
I seek Allah's protection from Satan who is accursed.	Aaozu billa hi minas shaitaa-nir-rajeem
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists( the whole unervise)	Alhamdu lillahi rabbil- aalameen
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful	Ar-rahmaa-nir-raheem
Master(lord) of (the Day of Judgment)	Maliki (yaum-mid-deen)
You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help	Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta-‘een
Guide us to the Straight Way	ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace	Siraa-tal lazina ana mta alai him
Not the way of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray	Ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa lad-daaleen
Aameen (Oh Allah accept)	Aameen
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
By the time Verily	Wal asr
man is in a state of loss indeed	innal insana la fi Khussr
Except those that believe and do righteous good deeds, and exhort each otherr to follow the truth, and exhort each other to observe patience	illal lazi na,‘ aamanu, wa amilu salihatee wata waa sau bil haqe, wata waa sau bis sabr
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great	Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem
Allah hears those who praise Him	Sami-a Allaa hu liman hamidah
Praise is due to our Lord	Rabbanaa wa la-kal-hamd
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
My Lord forgive me	Rabbigh fir li
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists( the whole unervise)	Alhamdu lillahi rabbil- aalameen
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful	Ar-rahmaa-nir-raheem
Master(lord) of (the Day of Judgment)	Maliki (yaum-mid-deen)
You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help	Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta-‘een
Guide us to the Straight Way	ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace	Siraa-tal lazina ana mta alai him
Not the way of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray	Ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa lad-daaleen
Aameen(Oh Allah accept)	Aameen
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
We have indeed bestowed the Kausar* upon you O Prophet,) surely We have given to you Al-Kauthar So, offer Salah (prayer) to your Lord, and sacrifice. Surely it is your enemy whose traces are cut off.	Inna aa taina- kal kausar, Fassal li li- rabbi ka- wan har, inna shaniaqa- hu wal abtar.
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great	Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem
Allah hears those who praise Him	Sami-a Allaa hu liman hamidah
Praise is due to our Lord	Rabbanaa wa la-kal-hamd
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
My Lord forgive me	Rabbigh fir li
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
All compliments, all physical prayer and all monetary worship are for Allah, Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings, Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of Allah	Attah ya tu lillah hi was salawa tu wat tayyibaa tu, Assalamu Alaika Ayyu han na biy yu Warahma tu llahi Wa-barka tuhu As-salamu 'alayna wa'ala 'ibadil- la his- sali-heen
I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger	Ash hadu al- la ila ha illa llahu wa ash hadu an-na muhammadan ab-duhu warasuluh
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists( the whole unervise)	Alhamdu lillahi rabbil- aalameen
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful	Ar-rahmaa-nir-raheem
Master(lord) of (the Day of Judgment)	Maliki (yaum-mid-deen)
You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help	Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta-‘een
Guide us to the Straight Way	ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace	Siraa-tal lazina ana mta alai him
Not the way of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray	Ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa lad-daaleen
Aameen(Oh Allah accept)	Aameen
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, most Merciful	Bismillaa hirrahmaa nirraheem
Say, He is Allah, the One	Qulhu walla hu ahad
Allah, Allah is Eternal,	allah hus samad,
He begets not, nor was He begotten	Lam ya lid,walam yu lad,
And there is none equal or comparable to Him	walam ya kullah hu kufu wan ahad.
	Allaahu akbar
Oh Allah, we ask you for help and seek your forgiveness, and we believe in You and have trust in You, and we praise you in the best way and we thank You and we are not ungrateful to you, and we forsake and turn away from the one who disobeys you. O Allah, we worship You only and pray to You and prostrate ourselves before You, and we run towards You and serve You, and we hope to receive your mercy, and we fear your punishment. Surely, the disbelievers will receive your punishment	Allah hummainna- nasta'eenuka- wa nastagh-firuka- wa nu'minu bika- wa nata-wakkalu 'alayka- wa nusne 'alay-kal khayr(alai-kal-khaira). Wa nashkuruka- wa laaa nakfuruka- wa nakh-lau- wa natruku- mayy-yaf-juru-ka. Allah humma iyyaka na'budu- wa laka nusal-lee- wa nasjudu- wa ilayka nas'a- wa nahfidu- wa narju rahmataka- wa nakhsha- 'azabaka- inna 'azabaka- bil kuffari- mulhiq *Wa=and
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great	Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem Subhana rabbi-yal Azeem
Allah hears those who praise Him	Sami-a Allaa hu liman hamidah
Praise is due to our Lord	Rabbanaa wa la-kal-hamd
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
My Lord forgive me	Rabbigh fir li
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High	Subhana rabbi-yal aa-la
Allah is the Greatest	Allaahu akbar
All compliments, all physical prayer and all monetary worship are for Allah, Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings, Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of Allah	Attahiyyaatu lillaahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat(u), ‘Assalamu ‘Alaika ‘Ayyu han-na biyyu Wa rahmatul-laahi Wa barkaatuh(u) Assalaamu 'alainaa wa'alaa 'ibaadil- laa his- saali-heen
I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger	Ash hadu al- la ila ha illa llahu wa ash hadu an-na muhammadan ab-duhu warasuluh
Oh Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and On the family and true followers of Muhammad just as you sent Grace and Honour on Ibrahim and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.	Darood: Not part of Qur’an, part of prayer Allah humma Sali aala muhammad(in) wa aala aali muhammad(in), kama sal-lita aala ibraheem(a) wa-aala aali ibraheem(a) innaka Hameedum Majeed.
Oh Allah, send your blessing on Muhammad and the true followers of Muhammad, just as you sent blessings on Ibrahim and his true followers Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.	Allah huma barik alla muhammad(in), wa aala aali muhammad(in), kama barakta aala ibraheem(a) wa aala aali ibraheem(a) innaka Hameedum Majeed
Oh Lord, make me and my children keep up prayers, Our Lord, accept our prayer, Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and all the Believers on the Day of Judgement	Rab-bij alnee muqeemas- salati wa min zur-ri-yatee rab-bana wata qabal dua, rabba nagh firlee wali waali day-ya wa lil mu-mineena yawma yaqumul hisab
Peace & Blessings from Allah be upon you	Asslamu ‘alaikum wa rahma-tullaah
Peace & Blessings from Allah be upon you	Asslamu ‘alaikum wa rahma-tullaah

3 Rakah