Chapter on the Recommended Prayers

Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ibn Faddal, who said: Al-Hasan ibn al-Jahm asked Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, on behalf of Ibn Asbat, and said to Imam عليه السلام: “What do you see for him (Ibn Asbat)?”, while Ibn Asbat was present and we were all intending to travel by sea or land to Egypt, and he informed Imam عليه السلام about the land route. So Imam عليه السلام said: “Go to the mosque at a time other than the time of an obligatory prayer, and pray two rak‘ahs, and seek guidance from Allah سبحانه وتعالى (perform istikhara) one hundred times, then see what settles in your heart, and act upon it.” And al-Hasan said to Imam عليه السلام: “The land route is more beloved to me.” Imam عليه السلام said: “And to me as well.”