Sufi Iqbal Ahmed Nuri narrated from the works of Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Qadiri (rah) in the Shama i-Shabastaan the following method for Istikharah and attributed it from Imam Ahmad Rida Khan to the venerable Ghawth al-Adham Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (rad) stating, “According to Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Qadiri, this Istikharah is from the Crown of Saints Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (rad) and is to be regarded as highly authentic. If a difficult situation arises and one does not know what course of action to take, then let him recite the customary Fatiha once, intending to present the reward for its recitation to the blessed Ruh (soul) of the venerable Ghawth us-Thaqalayn. Thereafter one should think of his question, close his eyes and place his index finger above the following Naqsh (magic square) of Istikharah, allowing his index finger to rest, without resistance, on whichever number it is guided to. Once his finger touches the page (screen) and rests upon a number in the magic square, let him open his eyes, and read the corresponding answer specific to the number and act accordingly. The venerable Naqsh of Istikharah is as follows,
Meanings of Numbers:
Here are the responses according to the corresponding number from the Shama i-Shabastaan:
- Trust in Allah, and delay your work for a few days. Inshallah, you will be granted that which is in your heart.
- This is a good task, and the answer is yes. You shall be granted that which is in your heart.
- Do not proceed with your intentions. Proceeding will result in pain and suffering.
- Whatever your task is, you will be given through Mira Muhiuddin (Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani), Inshallah.
- Whatever your intention is, you will be given thorough Allah’s Mercy
- There will be disruption in your work, so delay your work for few days and Allah willing you would be successful
- Whatever worry you keep in your mind, rest assured that you will be granted relief. Do not be haste, delay your work Inshallah.
- Do not doubt, your work will be good for you with a good outcome
- Your task is good. Inshallah.you will be successful.
- You will get what you want. Inshallah.
- This task is very good
- Whatever your intention is, be patient you will get a good outcome.
- Whatever you keep in your heart is not good. Do not attempt to do it or you will be humiliated
- This is very good. Do this and you will get good result.
- Your intention is good, but your enemies will be jealous. Be patient
- With Allah’s Help you will get what you seek. Put a little effort into it.
- Keep your task secret, and you will get want you want Inshallah.
- Do not attempt to do this task, you will not be successful
- Do not ever attempt to do this, be patient.
- Do not do this and delay it. Resign your task to Allah
- This is a good task, it will be fulfilled
- Do not doubt this task, rather just proceed with it. It will result in an increment in your wealth
- Whatever you ask, you will get it. Do not doubt
- Whatever you ask of others, you will get with Allah’s Mercy
- Never attempt to do this work, you will be humiliated
- God willing you will be successful in the task
- You will not attain that which you seek, do not waste your time and effort
- You shall receive according to your intentions.
- Whatever task you are thinking of will be fulfilled. You need to be patient
- This is a good task, however you should delay it for few days
- This task is wasteful, and your enemies are waiting. There will be interruptions
- You are putting a lot of effort in this task. Do not exert much effort into it this and delay it
- Trust in Allah. You will get that which you seek
- Your intention is good and out come will be good
- This task is not healthy. Do not think too much about it
- This task will result in goodness.
- That which is in your heart is is related to a few people. The task will be completed.
- Your intention is good, keep good faith
- Be constant in the Remembrance of Allah, for this task and be patient
- Your ask shall be completed agreeably, recite the customary Fatiha and do hadiya on the Ghawth
- This is a good task, but delay it for a few days
- This task will be completed, do not doubt future tasks
- Your intention is good, be strong and place faith in Allah
- Do not attempt to do this, it is not good
- Whatever your wish is delay it, otherwise you will be humiliated
- You shall be granted that which your heart desires, Inshallah.
- This is a good task, it will result in goodness
- Whatever your intention is, it shall be fulfilled through spending
- This task shall be completed
- Proceed with this task, and keep good faith in Allah’s Mercy
- Your task is surrounded by darkness, delay it for few days
- Follow your heart in this matter, if you feel like proceeding, than do so, otherwise if you do not, it is also acceptable. Your answer is neither positive nor negative
- Your answer is positive, but delay for a few more days
- Allah is the Compeller and the Opener. Your task shall be fulfilled
- Do not do this
- This task will not be fulfilled, however you may continue to attempt achieving this
- Do not put a lot of effort in this task, trust in Allah
- This task will be completed, however, delay it for a few days
- This is good and you will accomplish it
- Do not do it
- The answer is “Yes”, however delay in this task
- Do not do this, however, the things related to this task are positive
- This is a good task. God willing it will be completed
- There is no goodness in this answer. Do not attempt to do it
- Your task will be fulfilled
- Your wish will be fulfilled
- The answer is yes, but be patient
- You will granted your desire
- You will get what you want, do not doubt
- You will get whatever it is you want, but it is better not to do this, and instead rely on Allah