Learn how to perform Istikhara prayer to seek Allah's guidance in your important life decisions.
Istikhara (استخارة) means "seeking guidance from Allah." It is a beautiful Islamic practice where we turn to Allah for guidance when we need to make important decisions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "If any of you intends to do something, let him pray two rakats of non-obligatory prayer, then say..." and he taught this special dua. It shows our humility and recognition that Allah's knowledge is perfect while ours is limited.
Begin by performing wudu (ablution) to purify yourself before approaching Allah in prayer.
Perform two rakats of non-obligatory (nawafil) prayer. You can recite any chapters of the Quran you know.
After completing the prayer, recite the special dua of Istikhara while thinking about the specific matter you need guidance on.
When you reach "هذا الأمر" (this matter) in the dua, specifically mention what you are seeking guidance about.
After making the dua, put your trust in Allah. The guidance may come through ease or difficulty, dreams, or feelings in your heart.
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 - أَوْ قَالَ: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and power from Your might, and ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not. You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari
Perform Istikhara when you need to make important decisions about marriage, career, business, moving, or any significant life choice where you are uncertain.
Allah's guidance through Istikhara comes in various ways: through ease or obstacles in your path, through dreams, through advice from righteous people, or through feelings of comfort or discomfort.
You can repeat Istikhara multiple times for the same matter if you haven't received clear guidance. Some scholars recommend doing it for 7 consecutive days.
After making Istikhara, take practical steps and make your decision. If things become easy and you feel comfortable, it may be a sign to proceed. If obstacles arise, it may be guidance to avoid.
Istikhara is not about seeing dreams or getting immediate signs. It's about putting your trust in Allah's perfect knowledge and wisdom. After making Istikhara, observe how things unfold. If Allah makes the matter easy and you feel at peace with it, it may be good for you. If obstacles arise or you feel uncomfortable, Allah may be guiding you away from it. Always remember that Allah wants what is best for you, even if it doesn't seem apparent at first.