Istikhara is a special prayer in Islam that seeks guidance from Allah when making important decisions. It is performed when a person is unsure about a choice and wants divine direction. Istikhara means “seeking goodness” and allows believers to trust Allah’s wisdom in matters of life, such as marriage, business, or major life changes. The prayer itself is simple, but sincerity and faith are key to receiving guidance. Here is how to pray istikhara.
Preparing for Istikhara
Before performing Istikhara, ensure that your heart is open to accepting Allah’s guidance, whether it aligns with your personal desires or not. It is important to have done your own research and consulted knowledgeable people before seeking divine help. Istikhara is meant to confirm what is best, not to make the decision for you.
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Perform the prayer when you are calm and in a peaceful state of mind. Many scholars recommend performing Istikhara at night before sleeping, but it can be done at any time except during the prohibited hours of prayer.
How to Perform Istikhara
- Perform Wudu (Ablution) – Ensure you are in a state of purity before starting the prayer.
- Pray Two Rak’ahs (Units) of Voluntary Prayer – These two rak’ahs should be prayed with sincerity, just like any other nafl (optional) prayer. In the first rak’ah, after Surah Al-Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Kafirun. In the second rak’ah, after Surah Al-Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- Recite the Istikhara Dua – After completing the prayer, recite the supplication of Istikhara. It is best to say it in Arabic, but if you cannot, you may say it in your own language. The dua is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي
This means:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and I seek strength through Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. You know, and I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if it is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my future, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree what is good for me wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”
- Mention the Specific Decision – When saying “this matter” in the dua, mentally think about the decision you are seeking guidance for.
- Trust Allah and Look for Signs – After Istikhara, trust that Allah will guide you in the best way. Some people might receive clarity through a feeling of peace or discomfort, while others might notice events unfolding that guide them toward or away from the decision.
After Performing Istikhara
Istikhara does not always result in an immediate, clear sign or dream. Instead, Allah may guide you through circumstances, feelings, or advice from others. If you find yourself naturally inclined toward one choice and things start to fall into place, it may be a sign that it is the right decision. If obstacles arise or you feel uneasy, it may indicate that the decision is not good for you.
If you still feel unsure, you can repeat Istikhara for several nights, up to seven times. Consulting wise and knowledgeable people alongside Istikhara is also recommended.