How to Pray Istikhara and Make the Dua
All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Istikhara is one of Allah's great blessings upon His servants. It is a door of reliance upon Allah and humble need before Him. A Muslim turns to it when he is considering one of the permissible matters of life, or when he needs guidance in choosing between options. In istikhara, the servant admits his own weakness and affirms the perfection of Allah's knowledge and power, and that all goodness is in His hand.
Jabir ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنهما said:
"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to teach us istikhara in all matters just as he would teach us a surah from the Quran." Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
This hadith clearly shows the great importance of istikhara and how carefully the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught it to his companions.
What does istikhara mean?
Istikhara means asking Allah for the better choice. In other words, the servant asks his Lord to choose for him what is best, to turn away from him what is harmful, and to guide him to what is خير, because Allah knows what we do not know and is able over what we are not able to do.
Istikhara is not merely a supplication that is spoken. It is an act of worship that combines prayer, dua, reliance upon Allah, and having good expectations of Him.
When is istikhara prescribed?
Istikhara is prescribed when a Muslim wants to go ahead with a permissible matter or is uncertain about a decision, such as marriage, travel, work, business, a project, or another important life choice.
As for matters that are obligatory, a person does not make istikhara regarding whether to do them in the first place, because what is obligatory is already required by the Shari'ah. Likewise, a person does not make istikhara about leaving what is prohibited, because what is prohibited must be avoided. Istikhara is for permissible matters or for choosing between options within something already allowed.
How is Salat al-Istikhara prayed?
Salat al-Istikhara consists of two rak'ahs that are not from the obligatory prayers. After that, the Muslim makes the well-known supplication of istikhara.
Step One: Make the intention for istikhara
The Muslim intends in his heart that he is praying the two rak'ahs of istikhara for Allah. There is no need to pronounce the intention aloud.
Step Two: Pray two rak'ahs that are not obligatory
He prays two voluntary rak'ahs and may recite whatever he wishes from the Quran after Al-Fatihah. There is no specific surah that is required for this prayer.
Step Three: Praise Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
After finishing the prayer, he praises Allah, glorifies Him, sends blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and then makes the dua of istikhara.
Step Four: Say the dua of istikhara
The dua of istikhara is:
"Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlik al-'azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allam al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amr khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amr sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih."
Then the person mentions his specific matter at the place where the dua says: "this matter."
Is the dua said before salam or after it?
Many scholars held that the dua of istikhara is said after finishing the two rak'ahs, as indicated by the wording of the hadith: "then let him say."
Some scholars allowed saying it before salam within the prayer, but following the apparent wording of the hadith is better, which is that the dua comes after the prayer has ended.
What should a Muslim do after istikhara?
After making istikhara, a Muslim should move forward with the matter if Allah makes it easy, while relying upon Him properly. It is not necessary to see a dream, nor is it required that a person feel a special kind of inner expansion every time.
Many people think istikhara must be followed by a dream, but this is not correct. Rather, one of the signs of good is that Allah makes the matter easy if it is خير, or turns it away if it is harmful.
Is it necessary to feel an open heart after istikhara?
Feeling peace or openness in the heart may happen for some people, but it is not a condition for the validity of istikhara or for its outcome. The main point is that the servant entrusts the matter to Allah, then observes what Allah decrees of ease or diversion.
Can istikhara be repeated?
If the matter remains unclear, or a person still feels uncertain, there is no problem in repeating istikhara again and again until the heart becomes settled or Allah makes the way clear.
Does istikhara replace consultation?
Istikhara does not replace consultation. Rather, what is legislated is for a Muslim to combine between istikhara and consultation. He asks Allah to guide him, and he consults those whose religion, wisdom, and experience he trusts.
Allah says:
"And consult them in the matter." [Surah Al 'Imran 3:159]
So the believer combines humble dependence upon Allah with taking the proper means.
Is istikhara prescribed for marriage?
Yes. In fact, marriage is one of the most important situations in which a Muslim needs istikhara, because marriage is one of the most significant decisions in life and has great consequences in both religion and worldly life.
Whoever intends to marry should ask Allah for guidance through istikhara, consult people of religion and wisdom, and carefully consider religious commitment and good character.
Common mistakes regarding istikhara
thinking that istikhara must always be followed by a dream
leaving istikhara even when it is needed
making istikhara about something prohibited or about abandoning an obligation
making the decision depend entirely on a passing feeling
leaving consultation and the proper means
Frequently Asked Questions About Istikhara
Should I pray istikhara if I am very uncertain?
Yes. In fact, this is one of the clearest situations in which istikhara is needed, because it is prescribed when a person is considering a matter and feels uncertain about it.
Can I make istikhara for more than one matter?
Yes, but it is better for a Muslim to specify the matter for which he is making istikhara so that his dua and presence of heart are stronger.
Can I make the dua of istikhara without praying?
The originally prescribed form is two rak'ahs followed by the dua. But if a person is unable to pray due to an excuse, such as menstruation, then there is no harm in asking Allah for guidance through supplication without the prayer.
What should I do if the matter becomes difficult after istikhara?
If the matter becomes clearly difficult after istikhara, that may be one of the ways Allah turns it away from you. In that case, be content with what Allah decrees and keep a good opinion of Him.
Conclusion
Istikhara is a great act of worship. It reflects the truth of tawhid, complete need for Allah, and proper reliance upon Him. Whoever is guided to it has been guided to a great door of tranquility and peace.
So when you are considering one of your affairs, pray two rak'ahs, ask your Lord to choose what is best for you, rely upon Him sincerely, and then move forward with what Allah makes easy. Know that the good is in what Allah chooses.