Hadith record

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Whenever Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would think of performing Hajj, ‘Umrah or buying, selling or setting free a slave, he would first cleanse himself (take Wudu’ or bath), then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) for Istikharah in which he read chapters 55 and 59. After completing Salah (prayer) he would read chapters 113, 114 and 112 while still in a sitting position. He then say, ‘O Lord, if such and such thing is good for me in this world and for my religion, immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please make it easy for me in the best manner and make it come beautiful. O Lord, if such and such thing is bad for my religion and my worldly matters immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please keep it away from me. O Lord, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving your cause), please grant me determination with guidance even if I dislike it and my soul refuses.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.