Istikhara is a two-unit (rakats) voluntary dua followed by the Istikhara supplication, in which one asks God for guidance in making an important decision. You can perform these 2 rakats any time of the day except after Fajr and Asr. Salat ul Istikhara is performed 2 rak'ahs (units of prayer) of sunnah(nawafil), followed by a special duaIslam offers a powerful spiritual tool to help find clarity, it is ul Istikhara prayer. Whether you are deciding on a career, moving to a new place, or any other major, Istikhara prayer with dua provides a sacred path to seek Allah’s guidance. This article will serve as your comprehensive guide on how to pray Istikhara step by step, using authentic teachings and clear explanations.
What Is Istikhara Prayer?
Istikhara Prayer (Arabic: استخارة) means "seeking goodness" or "guidance from allāh." Prayer Istikhara is a special prayer Muslims perform when they are unsure about a decision. Istikhara Prayer is voluntary and consists of two (units of prayer) rak'ahs of salat followed by a prayer (supplication) specifically asking Allah to guide the person to what is best. The best time to pray the Istikhara prayer is after the Subuh prayer until sunrise, or when the sun is at its meridian until it goes past it. This ritual is not merely about asking Allah to reveal the unknown future. Pray Istikhara is about the power and knowledge of Allah to help us choose the path that will bring the most benefit in this world and the hereafter. Whether the decision is about education, business, or travel, the Istikhara prayer is one of the most recommended ways to make choices with faith and confidence.
How to Pray Istikhara step by step
To pray Istikhara, begin with a sincere intention and wudu. Perform two units of Nawafl prayer, reciting Al-Fatiha in each rak'ahs. How to pray istikhara involves praying two non-obligatory Rak'ahs followed by prayer, seeking Allah's guidance after salat ul istikhara.1: Make Your Intention (Niyyah), 2: Perform Two Rak'at of Prayer, 3: Make the Dua, 4: Trust Allah and Wait for an Answer
Here is a simple, steps method for performing the Istikhara prayer:
Step 1: Intention (Niyyah)
Open your prayers, make a sincere intention (niyyah) in your heart that you are performing Istikhara to seek Allah’s guidance for a specific thing. This could be for a job, a move, a business, or a marriage proposal.
Step 2: Perform Ablution (Wudu)
Ensure you are in a state of wudu (ablution) before starting the prayer. Purity is essential for any salat to be valid.
Step 3: Pray two units (Rak'ahs) of Nafil Prayer
Prepare your space for prayer and pray two voluntary rak’ahs (units of prayer) as you would for any nafl prayer. Offer two raka' of sunnah prayer. After Al-Fatiha, you may recite any surah from the Qur’an. In the first raka' after Al-Fatiha, you can recite any surah (e.g., Al-Ikhlas). Stand in the second rak’ah, complete the rakah do the same. The best times to pray Istikhara are during the night or after Isha or even after Tahajjud, when the heart is most connected to Allah.
Step 4: Recite the Istikhara Dua
After completing the two raka'at (units), raise your hands in dua and recite pray Istikhara prayer with a sincere intention. Make the dua mentioned in the detailed answer below. This is the most important part, where you are directly asking Allah for His divine guidance.
Step 5: Trust Allah and Wait for an Answer
After praying, don't rush. The answer may come in many forms: a strong feeling, circumstances unfolding smoothly, or even obstacles being removed. You may repeat Istikhara for up to seven days if you still feel uncertain.
Istikhara Dua in Arabic
The du’a of Istikhara in Sahih al-Bukhari is as follows:
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 الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي
Where it says “هذا الأمر” (this matter), you should think of or mention your specific need silently or mentally.
Istikhara dua with transliteration
allahumma 'innee 'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka min fadhtikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa 'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi
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Istikhara Dua in English
Here is the translation of the Istikhara supplication:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your ability, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor. Verily, you are able while I am not, and you know while I do not, and you are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this thing (mention your thing here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And 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 content with it.”
This du'a reminds us that Allah knows what we do not and that our choices should be based on Allah's divine will, not just our desires.
How to Perform Istikhara Prayer for Marriage?
One of the most common reasons people perform Istikhara is when considering marriage. Choosing a spouse is a life-changing decision, and it’s essential to seek Allah’s help in choosing the right partner.
Here’s how to perform Istikhara prayer for a decision on marriage:
- Have a person in mind. The more specific, the better.
- Make wudhu, then pray two rak'ahs of sunnah salat (prayer).
- After praying Istikhara, recite the Istikhara dua, mentally mentioning the name of the person you're considering.
- Wait patiently. If you start to feel positive, peaceful, this may be a sign that the match is good. If you feel discomfort or obstacles arise, it may be a sign to reconsider.
- Repeat the prayer for 7 days if needed for a decision Consult a trusted Islamic scholar or even listen to advice from scholars like Mufti Menk for reassurance.
Important Note: Istikhara does not always involve a dream. Some believe you must see something in your sleep. That’s a misconception. The answer can come in many forms—feelings, ease, or even delay
The importance of how to pray Istikhara for Muslims
To pray Istikhara prayer, you must perform (ablution) and make a sincere intention (niyyah) to pray two rakats (or raka') of non-compulsory (sunnah) cycles. After reciting Fatiha and another surah in each rak'ah, the supplicant raises their right and left hand in tasbih, saying “Allahu Akbar”, and recites the Istikhara du’a, sending peace on the Prophet. Though not obligatory, it is highly recommended and a great virtue. Pray Istikhara teaches trust in Allah’s wisdom when the correct choice is unclear. It can be performed at any time, especially at night, and brings peace in moments of uncertainty, reminding every believer that what is meant to happen will, by Allah’s will. Wala doubt, it strengthens faith in every task.
Conclusion
Rely on Allah’s Knowledge and Power. Life is full of decisions that can be overwhelming. The beauty of salat Istikhara lies in its simplicity and depth. It is a gift from Allah to His servants so they may never feel confused or alone in their life’s journey. Through this prayer, you are not only seeking guidance but also declaring your trust in the One who knows what is best for you in spiritual matters. Whether you are faced with marriage, career moves, or other important tasks, always remember that Allah is the best of planners. Through Istikhara prayer, you are not only looking for guidance but also declaring your trust in the One who knows what is best for you in both worldly and spiritual matters. Their instructors can even guide you through Istikhara and other Islamic rituals in a structured and simple way. May Allah grant you clarity, peace, and the best of both worlds through your Istikhara. Ameen.
