How to Pray Istikhara Prayer

How to Pray Istikhara Prayer

How often do you find yourself stuck in a situation wherein you have to take a decision or make a choice. It could be a life changing decision like choosing a  job, spouse or it could be something as simple as choosing between two cars. We all have been there.

The thought that you do not know the outcome of your decision can get you extremely nervous and anxious. Who else except The Creator knows what is best for you. Our knowledge is limited but HE سبحانه وتعالى is The knower of All, seen and unseen. For this very reason Allah عزوجل has blessed us with a prayer known as Salat Al Istikhara - The Prayer of Guidance.

What is Istikhaara

The word Istikhara means to ask Allah عزوجل to guide you to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed.
Salatul Istikhara is a prayer in which you ask Allah to help you in making a decision, or to choose the best of two or more things when you need to choose just one of them.

When should I Pray Istikhara

Istikhara prayer can be prayed by anyone who has to make a choice or a decision. Mostly we see people praying it only before marriage i.e. while choosing a life partner. However, it should not be limited to that.

This is because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم recommended it to everyone for "all their matters."

Narrated by Jaabir Ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنه, "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to teach us the way of doing istikhara, "in all matters" as he taught us the Surats of the Quran.

(Sahih Al Bukhari,

At-Tirmidhi)

So make use of this wonderful blessing whenever you can.

Want to choose a course? Pray Istikhara.
Want to start a job? Pray Istikhara.
Want to move to a new place? Pray Istikhara
Want to perform a deed you are unsure of? Pray Istikhara.

Pray Istikhara before making every small or big decisions. By making this prayer you are acknowledging the fact that Allah has All Power and you have none and true success can only be achieved by the Guidance of Allah عزوجل.

What Time Should I Pray Istikhara

Istikhaara prayer is a non-obligatory prayer. You can offer it at anytime of the day except during the prohibited times of prayer. Though, some scholars are of the view that Istikhara can be prayed during these times when it's an urgent matter and you can't delay it. 

How do I Pray Istikhara

Offer two rakats of non-obligatory prayer and then read the dua of Istikhara given below.
While you get to the phrase "hadha'l-amra", you have to literally mention in words "the matter"  concerning which you are seeking Allah's Guidance. 

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rakahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا 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 أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ

'Allahumma'inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-‘azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra (then mention the matter in words) Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’

(O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)–Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it).

The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need."

(Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 21 Hadith 263)

What is the Wisdom Behind Istikhara

Did you go through the meaning of the dua? SubhanAllah, it is a beautiful dua of Guidance.  

You humbly acknowledge the fact that Allah knows everything, and you do not. You ask Him to make the thing easy for you, if it is good for your religion, present or aakhirah and you ask Him to turn you away from the thing, if it is not good for your religion or future. 

How do I know the Answer To My Istikhara

The answer to Istikhaara won't be in the form of a dream or your instincts, as some people believe. Rather Allah عزوجل encourages you to take your own decision and then leave the matter with HIM.

You pray Istikhaara and make your decision about the matter. If your heart becomes open to the matter and it becomes easy for you to proceed, all well and good. But if your heart hardens towards it and it becomes difficult for you to proceed, turn away from it. It is the Decree of Allah.

Or you can simply say, whichever of the two options becomes easier is that in which there is goodness.

Myths and Misconceptions about Istikhara

I am sure most of you have heard different things about Istikhara. It's sad but there are a lot of Misconceptions among people regarding this prayer. I will be discussing this in the next post. Make sure to read it.

Inculcate the habit of praying Istikhara

You may not know but something may be just right for you and you do not like it. Or it could be that you want something so bad, but it's just not the right thing for you or perhaps it's not the right time.

Only Allah alone knows ! Then why would you not Trust His plans. Believe in His Decree and one day you will realize that you were craving to settle for something so low but Allah سبحانه وتعالى had a Greater plan for you, afterall HE is The Best of Planners.

Trust His plans and do not let go off this powerful tool and Mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى - Salatul Istikhara. INCULCATE this HABIT of seeking Allah's Guidance for all matters and not just for the major decisions of your life.