Prayer

Salat al-Istikhara: A Guide to Seeking Divine Guidance

Salat al-Istikhara is a Sunnah prayer perfomed to seek Allah’s guidance when making important decisions, helping us choose the best path with divine wisdom.

What is Istikhara in Islam?

Salat al-Istikhaara (Arabic: صلاة الاستخارة) is a special prayer in Islam performed when seeking guidance from Allah (God) in making a decision. The term “Istikhaara” means “seeking goodness” or “seeking the best option,” and this prayer is specifically offered when a person faces uncertainty or confusion about a decision, whether it be a personal, professional, or spiritual matter. It is a Sunnah prayer consisting of two rak’ahs, performed with the intention of seeking guidance from Allah (s.w.t.) on whether to move forward with or withdraw from a particular matter.

How to pray Istikhara Prayer?

The Sunnah Istikhaara prayer is performed in two rak’ahs, similar to other Sunnah prayers. Here’s how to perform it:

1. Establish the Intention (Niyyah)

Begin by establishing the intention in your heart to perform the Istikhaara prayer for guidance from Allah. You can make the niyyah as follows:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ الاِستِخَارَةِ رَكعَتَينِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

(Usalli Sunnatal Istikhaara rak’ataini lillahi ta’ala)

Translation: “I intend to perform two rak’ahs of Sunnah Istikhaara prayer for the sake of Allah, the Exalted.”

2. Perform the Two Rak’ahs

After setting the intention, give the Takbir (Takbiratul-Ihram) and perform two rak’ahs of prayer, just like any other Sunnah prayer.

3. Conclude with Salam and Make the Istikhaara Dua

After completing the prayer with the Salam, turn to Allah with humility and sincerity. With the proper etiquette of making dua, recite the Istikhaara dua taught by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). Hazrat Jabir reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to teach us the Istikhaara for every matter just as he taught us the surahs from the Holy Qur’an. He would say that if anyone plans to undertake something, they should first perform a two-rak’ah prayer outside of the obligatory ones and then recite:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Dua Istikhara with transliteration

Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadhlikal-‘azeem. Fa’innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wata’lamu wala a’lamu, wa anta ‘allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi, wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bihi.

Dua for Istikhara in English

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You have power; I have none. (Allah) You know; I do not know. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention your specific matter] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”

When to Perform Salat al-Istikhaara?

Unlike the five obligatory prayers, which have specific timings, there is no fixed time for performing Salat al-Istikhara. You can offer this prayer at any time of the day, except during the prohibited hours, which are:

From after the Fajr prayer until sunrise
When the sun is at its zenith, about 5 minutes before Dhuhr
From after the Asr prayer until sunset

This prohibition is based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w):

“When the sun rises until it is fully up, when it is at its zenith until it passes the zenith, and when it sets until it has completely set.”(Sahih Muslim)

Interpreting the Guidance from Salat al-Istikhara

After performing Salat al Istikhara, guidance may come in various forms:

Inner Peace and Confidence: You may feel a sense of calm and certainty about your decision. This feeling in your heart is often a clear sign of guidance.
Favorable Circumstances: Positive changes or ease in your situation related to the decision may indicate that you are on the right path.
Consultation and Reflection: Advice from trusted individuals and personal reflection can help confirm the guidance you feel.
Personal Inclination: An increased motivation or inclination to proceed with or avoid the decision can signal the right choice.

While dreams might sometimes occur, they are not a primary method for interpreting the results of Istikhaara. Instead, focus on the feelings and circumstances that arise following the prayer.

Repetition of Salat al-Istikhara

Salat al-Istikhara can be repeated if clarity or guidance is not immediately apparent. You may perform Salat al-Istikhara multiple times if needed. It is not limited to a single occurrence. Some scholars suggest repeating it up to seven times, especially if you feel uncertain or require further guidance.

Seeking Guidance

While performing Salat al-Istikhaara, it’s important to remain patient and observant. Guidance may come through a feeling of inclination, circumstances aligning, or clarity in decision-making. There is no requirement for a dream or a sign; instead, a sense of peace, inclination, or events aligning is how guidance is often perceived.

When doing Salat al-Istikhaara, also seek advice, consult trusted people, and reflect on the situation. However, these efforts are just part of the process. Ultimately, we place our trust in Allah (s.w.t.) for guidance. This is reflected in the verse:

وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

“Consult with them in (conducting) matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him.” (Surah Al-’Imran, 3:159)

This verse emphasizes that while consulting and reflecting are important, true reliance and trust should be placed in Allah.