Chapter on the Prayer of Seeking Guidance

From him, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn Hadid, from Murazim said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “When one of you intends something, let him pray two units (rak’ahs), then praise Allah سبحانه وتعالى and commend Him عز وجل, then send blessings upon (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and his family عليه السلام, and then say: ‘O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, if this matter is good for me in my religion and my worldly life, then facilitate it for me and ordain it for me; and if it is otherwise, then turn it away from me.’” I asked Imam عليه السلام: “What should I recite in them (the two rak’ahs)?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Recite in them whatever you wish, and if you wish, you may recite ‘Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah al-Ikhlas) and ‘Qul Ya Ayyuha al-Kafirun’ (Surah al-Kafirun).”