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Talking during Prayer (Ahadith 989 - 991)


Bismillah.

Book of Actions while Praying starts today..

Hadith no. 988 is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 2, Book 22, Number 290:
Narrated 'Abdullah:
We used to greet the Prophet while he was praying and he used to answer our greetings. When we returned from An-Najashi (the ruler of Ethiopia), we greeted him, but he did not answer us (during the prayer) and (after finishing the prayer) he said, "In the prayer one is occupied (with a more serious matter)."

Meaning, initially it wasn't forbidden to speak during prayer. People used to greet each other, and return the greetings as well. But later on, Allah (SWT) forbade it. Because prayer is between Allah and His slave. Nothing should come in between.

Volume 2, Book 22, Number 291:
Narrated 'Abdullah
the same as No. 290. from the Prophet.


Volume 2, Book 22, Number 292:
Narrated Zaid bin Arqam:
In the life-time of the Prophet we used to speak while praying, and one of us would tell his needs to his companions, till the verse, 'Guard strictly your prayers (2.238) was revealed. After that we were ordered to remain silent while praying.

Deliberately speaking invalidates the prayer. See no. 14 here.
Wassalam.

Fasting on Eid + 3 (Hadith No. 987)


Bismillah.

This is the last Hadith from Kitaab-ut-Tahajjud [Book of Night Prayer].

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 288:
Narrated Qaza'a Maula (freed slave of Ziyad):
I heard Abu Saeed Al-Khudri narrating four things from the Prophet and I appreciated them very much. He said, conveying the words of the Prophet:
(1) "A woman should not go on a two-day journey except with her husband or a Dhi-Mahram.
(2) No fasting is permissible on two days: 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha.
(3) No prayer after two prayers, i.e. after the Fajr prayer till the sunrises and after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets.
(4) Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Mosques, i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my Mosque."

1. Travelling of a Woman:

The saheeh Sunnah indicates that it is not permissible for a woman to travel except with a mahram. This travelling is not defined by a specific distance, as is the case with shortening the prayers or breaking the fast, rather everything that is called travelling, whether it is long or short, is not permitted for a woman unless she has a mahram with her. 
Al-Bukhaari (1729) and Muslim (2391) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel except with a mahram.” 
The fuqaha’ are unanimously agreed that it is haraam for a woman to travel without a mahram, except in a few exceptional cases, such as travelling for the obligatory Hajj, for which some of them have permitted a women to travel with trustworthy companions. Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: al-Baghawi said: They did not differ concerning the fact that a woman may not travel for anything but the obligatory Hajj except with a husband or mahram, except a kaafir woman who becomes Muslim in daar al-harb or a female captive who escapes. Others added: or a woman who becomes separated from her group and is found by a trustworthy man, in which case it is permissible for him to accompany her until he brings her back to her group. End quote from Fath al-Baari (4/76). 
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim, explaining that travel in this case is not defined by a specific distance: 
Everything that is called travelling, it is forbidden for a woman to do without her husband or a mahram, whether it is three days, two days or one day, or anything else, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas, according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel without a mahram.” This includes everything that is called travel. And Allaah knows best.
End quote. 
And it says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/339): It is haraam for a woman to travel without a mahram in all cases, whether the journey is long or short. End quote. 
Based on this, if going from your city to this place is regarded as travelling according to the people’s customs, then it is not permissible for you to go there without a mahram. If it is not regarded as travelling according to custom then there is nothing wrong with you going there without a mahram. 
The fact that the route is filled with cities, schools and farms does not alter this ruling.
[Taken from IslamQA]
We hear and we obey. :)

2. Fasting on Eid

Yes, it's prohibited. Check out this link to find out more about the categories of fasts: obligatory, encouraged, disliked, forbidden and permissible.

3. Forbidden to Pray

he definition of times when voluntary prayer is forbidden varies from one country to another, and from one season to another. Hence we cannot explain what these times are by the clock for all lands and in all seasons. But we will explain the general principles which will make it easy for every Muslim to work out when these times are. Hence we say that the times when prayer is forbidden are three: 
  1. From when dawn breaks until approximately a quarter of an hour after the sun has risen. You can find out the time of sunrise from the timetables that are available in all countries.
  2. Approximately a quarter of an hour before the time for Zuhr prayer begins, until the time for Zuhr begins.
  3. After you have prayed ‘Asr – even if it is an hour after the time for it began – until the disk of the sun has set completely. So the beginning of the time when prayer is forbidden is when one has prayed ‘Asr, not the beginning of the time for ‘Asr prayer, because the Muslim may offer ‘Asr prayer some time after the time for it begins. In that case the Muslim may offer voluntary prayers so long as he has not yet prayed ‘Asr, even if the time for ‘Asr has begun. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (1/429): We do not know of any difference of opinion concerning that among those who say that prayer is not allowed after ‘Asr. End quote. 
The evidence for these times is mentioned in several ahaadeeth, among the clearest and most comprehensive of which is the lengthy hadeeth which was narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh (832) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: “Pray Fajr, then refrain from praying until the sun has risen and become high, for when it rises, it rises between the horns of the Shaytaan and at that time the kuffaar prostrate to it. Then pray, for the prayer is witnessed and attended until the shadow of a spear falls directly north (i.e., noon). Then refrain from praying, for at that time Hell is stoked up. Then when the shadow moves forward, pray, for the prayer is witnessed and attended, until you have prayed ‘Asr. Then refrain from praying until the sun has set, for it sets between the horns of the Shaytaan and at that time the kuffaar prostrate to it.” 
We should point out that what is forbidden is prayer that is purely voluntary at these times. As for prayers for which there is a reason, such as “greeting the mosque” (tahiyyat al-masjid) or the two rak’ahs after wudoo’ or the two rak'ahs after tawaaf and so on, they may be offered at any time according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions.

[Taken from IslamQA]

4. The 3 Special Mosques

Read this post.
Wassalam.

Paradise on Earth (Ahadith 985 - 986)


Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 286:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mazini:
Allah's Apostle said, "Between my house and the pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise."
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 287:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is on my fountain tank (i.e. Al-Kauthar)."
So there is a little bit of heaven on Earth. :D
Knowing that a certain piece of land in Madinah is a garden from the gardens of Paradise is not enough. What we really need to know is what we're supposed to do when (and if) we visit it. Should we go all desi and start kissing the floor and not make space for anybody to pray there? (Personal experience during last `Umrah.)
Yeah, don't make space for anybody. Keep it aaaaalll for yourself. -_-
It's worse during women's visiting hours, by the way. :P
Ibn `Uthaymeen said when asked about it:
It is better for him to pray in al-Rawdah which is the area between the minbar of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the room in which is his grave, because this area is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise.
Read more here.
Pray and leave, okay?
Wassalam.

Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/paradise-on-earth-ahadith-985-986/

About Masjid Quba (Ahadith 982 - 984)


Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 283:
Narrated Nafi':
Ibn 'Umar never offered the Duha prayer except on two occasions:
(1) Whenever he reached Mecca; and he always used to reach Mecca in the forenoon. He would perform Tawaf round the Ka'ba and then offer two Rakat at the rear of Maqam Ibrahim.
(2) Whenever he visited Quba, for he used to visit it every Saturday. When he entered the Mosque, he disliked to leave it without offering a prayer. Ibn 'Umar narrated that Allah's Apostle used to visit the Mosque of Quba (sometime) walking and (sometime) riding. And he (i.e. Ibn 'Umar) used to say, "I do only what my companions used to do and I don't forbid anybody to pray at any time during the day or night except that one should not intend to pray at sunrise or sunset."
Beautiful, isn't it? <3
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 284:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Dinar:
Ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding." 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) used to do the same.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 285:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding. Added Nafi (in another narration), "He then would offer two Rakat (in the Mosque of Quba)."

Al-Tirmidhi (324) narrated from Usayd ibn Zuhayr al-Ansaari, who was one of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
Prayer in the mosque of Quba’ is like ‘Umrah.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 
Al-Nasaa’i (699) narrated that Sahl ibn Hunayf said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
Whoever goes out to this mosque, the mosque of Quba’, and prays therein, will have (a reward) like that of ‘umrah.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.
So when you have the opportunity to visit Masjid Quba, do so. And pray two nawafil there. (y)
Is it necessary to visit Masjid Quba during Hajj or Umrah? Read this for the answer.
Wassalam.

The Best Mosques (Ahadith 980 - 981)


Bismillah.
There are only three special mosques on this Earth. Period.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 281:
Narrated Quza'a:
I heard Abu Saeed saying four words. He said, "I heard the Prophet (saying the following narrative)." He (Abu Saeed) had participated in twelve holy battles with the Prophet.
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Apostle, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa (Mosque of Jerusalem)."

Making special visits to other mosques is not allowed. This doesn't mean we can't visit any other mosques. But setting out on a journey only to visit a mosque (other than these 3) is wrong.

Travelling to another country/city just to pay a visit to a mosque = wrong.
Travelling to another city/country for work/leisure, and visiting mosques = right.
Intention is different, you see. Intention matters.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 282:
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "One prayer in my Mosque is better than one thousand prayers in any other mosque excepting Al-Masjid-Al-Haram."

The best of all mosques is al-Masjid al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque in Makkah), then al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madeenah), then al-Masjid al-Aqsa.
Masjid al-Haram
Masjid an-Nabwi
Masjid al-Aqsa
Prayer in Masjid al-Haram: reward multiplied by 100,000.
Prayer in Masjid an-Nabwi: reward multiplied by 1,000.
Prayer in Masjid al-Aqsa: reward multiplied by 250.
The multiplication of reward for prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is proven in the report narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Majaah (1406) from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
One prayer in my mosque is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, except al-Masjid al-Haraam, and one prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Mundhiri and al-Busayri. Al-Albaani said: Its isnaad is saheeh according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs [al-Bukhaari and Muslim]. End quote from Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (4/146).
One prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is equivalent to two hundred and fifty prayers offered elsewhere. 
It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We were discussing when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which is better, the Mosque of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
One prayer in my mosque is better than four prayers offered there (in Bayt al-Maqdis), and what a good place of prayer it is. Soon there will come a time when, if a man has a piece of land the size of a horse’s rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, that will be better for him than the whole world.
Narrated by al-Haakim, 4/509; he classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi and al-Albaani agreed with him, as it says in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, at the end of the discussion on hadeeth no. 2902. 
One prayer offered in the Prophet’s Mosque is equivalent to one thousand prayers (offered elsewhere), so one prayer offered in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is equivalent to two hundred and fifty prayers.
Wassalam.

Don't Let Your Houses Become Graves (Ahadith 978 - 979)


Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 279:
Narrated Mahmud bin Ar-rabi' Al-Ansari,
that he remembered Allah's Apostle and he also remembered a mouthful of water which he had thrown on his face, after taking it from a well that was in their house. Mahmud said that he had heard Itban bin Malik, who was present with Allah's Apostle in the battle of Badr saying, "I used to lead my people at Bani Salim in the prayer and there was a valley between me and those people. Whenever it rained it used to be difficult for me to cross it to go to their mosque. So I went to Allah's Apostle and said, 'I have weak eye-sight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it; I wish you would come to my house and pray at a place so that I could take that place as a praying place.' Allah's Apostle said, 'I will do so.' So Allah's Apostle and Abu Bakr came to my house in the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. Allah's Apostle asked my permission to let him in and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying, 'Where do you want us to offer the prayer in your house?' I pointed to the place where I wanted him to pray. So Allah's Apostle stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbir and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered two Rakat, and finished them with Taslim, and we also performed Taslim with him. I detained him for a meal called "Khazir" which I had prepared for him.--("Khazir" is a special type of dish prepared from barley flour and meat soup)--
When the neighbors got the news that Allah's Apostle was in my house, they poured it till there were a great number of men in the house. One of them said, 'What is wrong with Malik, for I do not see him?' One of them replied, 'He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Apostle.' On that Allah's Apostle said, 'Don't say this. Haven't you seen that he said, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah for Allah's sake only.' The man replied, 'Allah and His Apostle know better; but by Allah, we never saw him but helping and talking with the hypocrites.' Allah's Apostle replied, 'No doubt, whoever says "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah", and by that he wants the pleasure of Allah, then Allah will save him from Hell." Mahmud added, "I told the above narration to some people, one of whom was Abu Aiyub, the companion of Allah's Apostle in the battle in which he (Abu Aiyub) died and Yazid bin Mu'awiya was their leader in Roman Territory. Abu Aiyub denounced the narration and said, 'I doubt that Allah's Apostle ever said what you have said.' I felt that too much, and I vowed to Allah that if I remained alive in that holy battle, I would (go to Medina and) ask Itban bin Malik if he was still living in the mosque of his people. So when he returned, I assumed Ihram for Hajj or 'Umra and then I proceeded on till I reached Medina. I went to Bani Salim and Itban bin Malik, who was by then an old blind man, was leading his people in the prayer. When he finished the prayer, I greeted him and introduced myself to him and then asked him about that narration. He told that narration again in the same manner as he had narrated it the first time."


Volume 2, Book 21, Number 280:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar,
Allah's Apostle said, "Offer some of your prayers in your houses and do not make them graves."
  • One may pray at home if the weather conditions are severe (for men).
  • Treat your guests well. Food is good hospitality. (y)
  • When someone invites you over for a purpose, stick to that purpose.
  • NEVER judge someone and/or his Imaan. You don't know what's in their heart.
  • Whoever says la ilaha illa-llah and seeks Allah's pleasure, Allah will admit him into Paradise inshaAllah. Prophet (SAW)'s words, not mine.
  • Pray at your homes some of your prayers. Don't let them become graves.
    Graves symbolize death. Meaning, your house is dead unless Allah is remembered in it. Bring it to life with Allah's name!
Wassalam.

Sunan + Nawafil of the Prophet [SAW] (Ahadith 963 - 977)


Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 264:
Narrated Abu Qatada bin Rabi Al-Ansari;
The Prophet said, "If anyone of you enters a Mosque, he should not sit until he has offered a two-Rakat prayer."

Details on tahiyyat-ul-masjid here.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 265:
Narrated Anas bin Malik
Allah's Apostle led us and offered a two Rakat prayer and then went away.

Not sure which incident this is. So no comments.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 266:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:
I offered with Allah's Apostle a two Rakat prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two Rakat after the Zuhr prayer, two Rakat after Jumua, Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers.

These two-rak`at prayers are the Sunnah prayers that Prophet (SAW) offered regularly.
About the Sunnah prayer with Dhuhr prayer, Imaam Abu Hanifa, Abu Yousuf and Muhammad (scholars of Hadith) say that one may pray two or four rak`aat, however he desires. But should not increase the number (four is the max. limit).
About the Sunnah prayers after `Ishaa' prayer, Imaam Abu Hanifa says that one may pray two, four, six or eight rak`aat. But should not pray more than that.
Note: these are opinions of scholars. Not words of the Prophet (SAW).

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 267:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah :
While delivering a sermon, Allah's Apostle said, "If anyone of you comes while the Imam is delivering the sermon or has come out for it, he should offer a two Rakat prayer."

Refer back to the Hadith on top.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 268:
Narrated Mujahid:
Somebody came to the house of Ibn 'Umar and told him that Allah's Apostles had entered the Ka'ba. Ibn 'Umar said, "I went in front of the Ka'ba and found that Allah's Apostle had come out of the Ka'ba and I saw Bilal standing by the side of the gate of the Ka'ba. I said, 'O Bilal! Has Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) prayed inside the Ka'ba?' Bilal replied in the affirmative. I said, 'Where (did he pray)?' He replied, '(He prayed) Between these two pillars and then he came out and offered a two Rakat prayer in front of the Ka'ba.' " Abu 'Abdullah said: Abu Huraira said, "The Prophet (p.b.u.h) advised me to offer two Rakat of Duha prayer (prayer to be offered after sunrise and before midday). " Itban (bin Malik) said, "Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) and Abu Bakr, came to me after sunrise and we aligned behind the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and offered two Rakat."

More on praying inside the Ka`bah here.
Read up on the Duha prayer here.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 269:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
I offered with the Prophet two Rakat before the Zuhr and two Rakat after the Zuhr prayer; two Rakat after Maghrib, Isha' and the Jumua prayers. Those of the Maghrib and 'Isha' were offered in his house. My sister Hafsa told me that the Prophet used to offer two light Rakat after dawn and it was the time when I never went to the Prophet."

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 270:
Narrated 'Amr:
I heard Abu Ash-sha'tha' Jabir saying, "I heard Ibn Abbas saying, 'I offered with Allah's Apostle eight Rakat (of Zuhr and 'Asr prayers) together and seven Rakat (the Maghrib and the 'Isha' prayers) together.' " I said, "O Abu Ash-shatha! I think he must have prayed the Zuhr late and the 'Asr early; the 'Isha early and the Maghrib late." Abu Ash-sha'tha' said, "I also think so." (See Hadith No. 518 Vol. 1).


Volume 2, Book 21, Number 271:
Narrated Muwarriq:
I asked Ibn 'Umar "Do you offer the Duha prayer?" He replied in the negative. I further asked, "Did 'Umar use to pray it?" He (Ibn 'Umar) replied in the negative. I again asked, "Did Abu Bakr use to pray it?" He replied in the negative. I again asked, "Did the Prophet use to pray it?" Ibn 'Umar replied, "I don't think he did."

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 272:
Narrated 'Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila:
Only Um Hani narrated to me that she had seen the Prophet offering the Duha prayer. She said, "On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet entered my house, took a bath and offered eight Rakat (of Duha prayers). I had never seen the Prophet offering such a light prayer but he performed bowing and prostrations perfectly.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 273:
Narrated 'Aisha:
I never saw the Prophet offering the Duha prayer but I always offer it.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 274:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
My friend (the Prophet) advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die, these are: To fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 275t:
Narrated Anas bin Sirin:
I heard Anas bin Malik al-Ansari saying, "An Ansari man, who was very fat, said to the Prophet, 'I am unable to present myself for the prayer with you.' He prepared a meal for the Prophet and invited him to his house. He washed one side of a mat with water and the Prophet offered two Rakat on it." So and so, the son of so and so, the son of Al-Jarud asked Anas, "Did the Prophet use to offer the Duha prayer?" Anas replied, "I never saw him praying (the Duha prayer) except on that day."

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 275:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
I remember ten Rakat of Nawafil from the Prophet, two Rakat before the Zuhr prayer and two after it; two Rakat after Maghrib prayer in his house, and two Rakat after 'Isha' prayer in his house, and two Rakat before the Fajr prayer and at that time nobody would enter the house of the Prophet Hafsa told me that the Prophet used to offer two Rakat after the call maker had made the Adhan and the day had dawned.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 276:
Narrated Aisha:
The Prophet never missed four Rakat before the Zuhr prayer and two Rakat before the Fajr prayer.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 277:
Narrated 'Abdullah Al-Muzni:
The Prophet said, "Pray before the Maghrib (compulsory) prayer." He (said it thrice) and in the third time, he said, "Whoever wants to offer it can do so." He said so because he did not like the people to take it as a tradition.


Volume 2, Book 21, Number 278:
Narrated Marthad bin 'Abdullah Al-Yazani:
I went to 'Uqba bin 'Amir Al-Juhani and said, "Is it not surprising that Abi Tamim offers two Rakat before the Maghrib prayer?" 'Uqba said, "We used to do so in the life-time of Allah's Apostle." I asked him, "What prevents you from offering it now?" He replied, "Business."

So apart from Tahajjud, Prophet (SAW) used to offer various sunan and nawafil during the day and night. To name a few:
  • two rak`aat before Fajr
  • Duha prayer
  • two rak`aat upon entering the mosque: tahiyyat-ul-masjid
  • two/four rak`aat before Dhuhr
  • two rak`aat after Dhuhr
  • two rak`aat after Jumu`ah
  • two rak`aat before Maghrib
  • two rak`aat after Maghrib
  • two rak`aat after `Ishaa'
  • witr
  • two rak`aat inside the Ka`bah
Do you pray them all?
Wassalam.

Istikharah: Seeking Good (Hadith No. 962)


Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah :
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), 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):
'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika al-'azlm 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 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.'
(O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter--(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)--Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter--(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)--Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it).
The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need.

The du`a in Arabic:
Ibn Hijr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, commenting on this hadeeth:
Istikhaarah is a word which means asking Allaah to help one make a choice, meaning choosing the best of two things where one needs to choose one of them.
How to do istikharah? How many times should it be repeated? How are dreams related to it? What's up with the "online/live" istikharah?
To get answers for all these questions and more, go through this, this, this, this, this, this and this. Happy reading! :D

Note: it's a simple yet powerful tool. Don't complicate it. Make a habit out of it. Memorize the du`a so you can pray it anytime and anywhere.
Wassalam.

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