What is the correct method for the prayer of seeking guidance?
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Question:
Please direct us to the correct method for the prayer of seeking guidance? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The prayer of seeking guidance is like the other prayers. It is recommended for the Muslim who wishes to seek guidance to pray two units like the other prayers, reciting in them al-Fatihah and whatever is easy for him along with al-Fatihah, then bowing until the end like the other prayers. Then, after finishing, he raises his hands and asks his Lord to choose for him what is best. He asks his Lord to choose for him what is best and most beneficial for him, such as so-and-so. He specifies his need, the need he wants. If it is marriage: “O Allah, expand my chest for marriage to so-and-so if it is good.” If it is travel: “O Allah, expand my chest for travel to such-and-such a country if it is good for me.”
And if he memorizes the supplication that came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he says it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I taught the one seeking guidance the supplication,” saying:Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 and he names it as marriage, or travel, or a transaction, naming it accordingly Sahih al-Bukhari 1166.
This is the prescribed supplication from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that is preserved. If you memorize it, you say it; otherwise, you supplicate with what is easy for you. You say: “O Allah, expand my chest for this travel, or for this marriage if it is good.” “O Allah, expand my chest for a transaction with so-and-so, or visiting so-and-so, if you are in doubt about its benefit and its good.” And the like of that. You name your need and ask your Lord to expand your chest for what is most suitable, best, and most beneficial. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Please direct us to the correct method for the prayer of seeking guidance? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The prayer of seeking guidance is like the other prayers. It is recommended for the Muslim who wishes to seek guidance to pray two units like the other prayers, reciting in them al-Fatihah and whatever is easy for him along with al-Fatihah, then bowing until the end like the other prayers. Then, after finishing, he raises his hands and asks his Lord to choose for him what is best. He asks his Lord to choose for him what is best and most beneficial for him, such as so-and-so. He specifies his need, the need he wants. If it is marriage: “O Allah, expand my chest for marriage to so-and-so if it is good.” If it is travel: “O Allah, expand my chest for travel to such-and-such a country if it is good for me.”
And if he memorizes the supplication that came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he says it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I taught the one seeking guidance the supplication,” saying:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika-l-'azim, fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wala a'lamu, wa anta'allamu-l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك، وأستقدرك بقدرتك، وأسألك من فضلك العظيم، فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر، وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علام الغيوب، اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمرAllahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-lamra Khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati `Amri (or 'ajili `Amri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu 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 al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.'
اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني، ومعاشي، وعاقبة أمري؛ فيسره لي، ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني، ومعاشي، وعاقبة أمري؛ فاصرفه عني، واصرفني عنه، وقدر لي الخير حيث كان، ثم أرضني بهThis is the prescribed supplication from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that is preserved. If you memorize it, you say it; otherwise, you supplicate with what is easy for you. You say: “O Allah, expand my chest for this travel, or for this marriage if it is good.” “O Allah, expand my chest for a transaction with so-and-so, or visiting so-and-so, if you are in doubt about its benefit and its good.” And the like of that. You name your need and ask your Lord to expand your chest for what is most suitable, best, and most beneficial. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.