How to Pray Istikhara? A Guide to Seeking Divine Guidance

Life is full of choices and the decisions we make in life can either guide us toward our goals or lead us down the wrong path.  That’s why it’s essential to pause and carefully consider your decisions, seeking advice from those close to you, as Allah advises in the Quran: “And consult them on the issue.” But most importantly, we must seek Allah’s support, and the Istikhara prayer, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed us and described it as a powerful tool for seeking guidance in moments of uncertainty. Learning how to pray Istikhara correctly is very important for all Muslims

In this informative blog, you’ll find everything you need to understand about the Istikhara prayer.

What is an Istikhara prayer?

Istikhara means “to seek the best of affairs.” Istikhara is a special prayer with two units, done to ask Allah for help in making a decision. The goal is to get Allah’s advice on the best choice, whether to go ahead or stop something.

People usually do Istikhara for big choices, like picking a job, deciding on a marriage, or buying a house. But remember, Istikhara can be done for any decision, big or small. The Prophet taught his followers to ask Allah for help in everything they do. This shows how important it is to seek Allah’s help in every part of life.

Understanding the Du’a of Istikhara

When searching about how to pray istikhara,  you will always find that the answer lies in the Istikhara du’a. This is the core and central element and the main part of the prayer. The key to the Istikhara prayer is to sincerely ask Allah for guidance and believe that He will help you choose what is best for you..

The Du’a of Istikhara, then, is a sincere supplication from the believer in pursuit of Allah’s guidance on a particular decision. The du’a is as follows:

• Arabic Text

 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

• Translation

Dear Allah, I ask for Your help in making a decision. I want Your wisdom to guide me, Your strength to help me, and Your kindness to support me. You have all the power, and I don’t. You know everything, and I don’t. You understand what’s hidden from me. Dear Allah, if You know that this choice [mention what you need to decide] is good for me in my faith, my daily life, my worldly matters, and in the life after this, then please make it happen for me, make it easy, and bless it. But if You know that this choice is bad for me in my faith, my daily life, my worldly matters, and in the life after this, then please keep it away from me and help me stay away from it. Please guide me to what’s good for me, wherever it may be, and help me be happy with it.

The Power of performing Istikhara salah

The practice of Istikhara holds numerous spiritual and personal benefits for those who sincerely turn to Allah for guidance.

• Divine Guidance: Istikhara helps in seeking Allah’s wisdom when faced with uncertain decisions, ensuring we choose the best path.
• Strengthened Faith: It deepens trust in Allah’s plan and reminds us of His supreme knowledge and control over our lives.
• Patience: The practice encourages patience, teaching us to wait for Allah’s response and accept His will.
• Protection from Regret: By consulting Allah, Istikhara reduces the chances of regret, giving us confidence in our choices.
• Emotional Relief: Istikhara provides peace and comfort, knowing that we’ve entrusted our matters to Allah.
• Following Allah’s Plan: It helps us make choices that match Allah’s will, leading to better results in this life and the next.
• Gratitude: Asking Allah for help teaches us to be humble, reminding us of our limited knowledge.
• Confidence: It makes us feel supported, knowing Allah is with us in our choices.
• Meaningful Choices: Istikhara strengthens our spiritual path, guiding us to make thoughtful, meaningful decisions.
• Regular Communication: It encourages us to seek Allah’s guidance regularly, no matter how big or small the issue.

How to pray istikhara prayer step by step?

1. Begin by making the intention in your heart that you are praying the Istikhara prayer for the sake of seeking guidance from Allah. 
2. Begin the prayer by first saying Allahu Akbar, followed by two rak’ahs as you normally would for any other Sunnah prayer.
3. In every raka’at, after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha, recite any other Surah from the Qur’an which you know.
4. Now, complete the two rak’ahs in the usual manner, finishing the prayer with the Tasleem saying Salam alikum w rahmtuallah to the right and left.
5. After completing the prayer, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara Dua as mentioned above
   Then, clearly mention the specific decision or matter you seek guidance about, either silently or verbally.
6. After making the Dua, trust that Allah will guide you to what is best. The outcome may come in different forms, such as through feelings, circumstances, or signs, so stay patient and rely on Allah’s wisdom.

Common Misconceptions About the Istikhara Prayer

1. Dreams as Direct Answers: A common misconception is that Istikhara always leads to a dream. While dreams can provide guidance, they are not the primary means of receiving an answer. Dreams can come from Allah, the self (nafs), or Shaytan, and don’t always reflect divine guidance.

2. Someone Else Praying Istikhara for You: Some believe that asking more people to perform Istikhara on their behalf guarantees an answer. However, Istikhara is a personal prayer between the individual and Allah; it cannot be delegated to someone else.

3. Using a “Yes or No” System: Some people use a random method, like drawing lots, after Istikhara to determine an answer. This is not part of the Sunnah. Istikhara is about asking Allah for guidance, not relying on chance.

4. Looking for Signs Instead of Trusting Allah: Some expect clear signs to guide their decisions after Istikhara. However, Istikhara is not about seeking external signs but about sincerely asking Allah for guidance in making the best decision

Signs of An Answer to Istikhara prayer

After performing Istikhara, it’s important to understand that the answer may not come immediately. The guidance may not always manifest as a clear sign or dream. If you feel a sense of conviction or clarity about a particular path, it is a sign to proceed with it.

If you don’t feel a strong inclination, then look at your circumstances. If there is ease or an obstacle, it may be a form of guidance from Allah. Life’s circumstances often reflect Allah’s facilitation, steering us towards what is best.

Ultimately, trust that Allah is easing things in the direction that is best for you, even if it’s not immediately clear. It’s crucial to approach Istikhara with a sincere heart, letting go of personal desires, and trusting that Allah will choose what is best for you, even if it differs from your own wishes.

Optimal Timing for Performing Istikhara

The optimal timing for performing Istikhara is flexible, as there is no specific time prescribed for it. You are allowed to perform it at any time you wish, except during the forbidden hours, which are:

1. After the Subuh prayer until sunrise
2. When the sun is at its meridian until it passes (approximately 5 minutes before Zuhur)
3. After the Asar prayer until sunset

As long as you avoid these prohibited times, you can perform Istikhara whenever is most convenient for you.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the Istikhara prayer was taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a way to ask for help when we’re not sure what choice to make. It is essential to understand how to pray Istikhara correctly,  it helps us make decisions in life with faith and trust in Allah’s guidance.

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