اَلإِمَامُ عَلَيٌّ{ عَليهِ السَّلامْ } فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ إِلى إِبْنِهِ { عَليهِ السَّلامْ } :
...وَ أَكْثَرِ الإِسْتِخارَةَ، إِذا أَمْضَيْتَ فَاسْتَخِرْ.
al‑Imam 'Ali (‘as) in the will to his son recommended that, "... (In all your actions) continuously ask (Allah) for the best. "2
He also said, `Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best. " 3
The method of asking for what is best that has been most often mentioned in the ahadith, including the hadith mentioned above and has been emphasized, is that one in which one asks for the best from Allah in the form of a Dua' (supplication).
This type of seeking what is best is not associated with the instance in which a person has a doubt or can not make a decision. Rather, from the traditions of the Ahl al‑Bait (‘as), it is clear that before we carry out any action ‑ no matter how small or insignificant it may be ‑ we are recommended and encouraged to seek help, and constantly remember Allah in all of our affairs. 4
...وَ أَكْثَرِ الإِسْتِخارَةَ، إِذا أَمْضَيْتَ فَاسْتَخِرْ.
al‑Imam 'Ali (‘as) in the will to his son recommended that, "... (In all your actions) continuously ask (Allah) for the best. "2
He also said, `Any time you have decided to perform an act, then ask (Allah) for what is best. " 3
The method of asking for what is best that has been most often mentioned in the ahadith, including the hadith mentioned above and has been emphasized, is that one in which one asks for the best from Allah in the form of a Dua' (supplication).
This type of seeking what is best is not associated with the instance in which a person has a doubt or can not make a decision. Rather, from the traditions of the Ahl al‑Bait (‘as), it is clear that before we carry out any action ‑ no matter how small or insignificant it may be ‑ we are recommended and encouraged to seek help, and constantly remember Allah in all of our affairs. 4
Notes:
2. Nahj al‑Balaagha, Saying 31
3. Ghurur al‑Hikm, Saying 3988
4. The various types of Istikhara by Dua' have been mentioned in Ahadith 16 to 22, which will follow.