Pious family and friends often tell us to do Dua Istikhara (the prayer of guidance) for the decisions we face in life. However, we are not given step-by-step instructions for performing istikhara. 

I used to think istikhara was a prayer I make only for major decisions in my life or if I could not make up my mind about something paramount. I was not familiar with this powerful prayer or its fantastic benefits in my daily conflicts. 

I also did not realize that this prayer made me place my entire trust in Allah SWT. I was asking Him to take over my affairs and guide me to a decision that is best for me, not necessarily what I want.

It’s sad to say, but many of us were not taught to implement  Dua Istikhara into our lives from a young age, either by our parents or an Islamic institution. We may not have been guided to the proper way to perform it, which is surprising and relatively straightforward. 

When I educated myself about istikhara, I regretted not using it more often and for most of my life decisions. I could have been guided by the Best of Protectors, Allah SWT. Who can guide us better than the One who created us!

Visit Now:https://thewiseera.com/

What is Dua Istikhara?

 Dua Istikhara is a nafl prayer for seeking guidance from Allah SWT regarding ALL matters in one’s life. It is highly recommended in Islam, and our Prophet, PBUH, taught his companions to make istikhara regarding ALL of their affairs, particularly in significant decisions. 

It seeks the right or good thing for you to make the best choice possible. It is clear that we are not omniscient; that is, we do not have the complete picture of the choices ahead of us, thus we keep our judgment in abeyance and let the Lord decide the issue.

We put our absolute trust in Him. In this way, we direct ourselves to seek the best answer possible for our worldly and religious lives, which is often misunderstood by our limited intellect. The  Dua Istikhara may be made for a particular or general matter in hopes of seeking the best. 

Some scholars recommend performing a general istikhara prayer every day for all that is good, ideally at the time of the duha prayer (after sunrise). After that, one should be pleased with what Allah chooses for them and not seek to follow their whims after the answer to their istikhara becomes apparent.

Misconceptions About Dua Istikhara

Istikhara is only a prayer for marriage

Some people believe that istikhara is solely for when you intend to marry someone, but istikhara is for seeking guidance in ALL matters of life.

Istikhara is only performed by pious people

Some people believe that as sinners, they have to get someone pious to perform istikhara for them, but istikhara can be performed irrespective of your state of piety.

 Dua Istikhara is only answered in a dream

Some people believe that your answers from istikhara come in dreams, or a green or white vision. Your answers from istikhara will be in the form of guidance from Allah SWT towards that which is best for you.

Istikhara is only for huge things

Some people believe that istikhara can only be performed for major life decisions, such as choosing a spouse, buying a house, or having a child. Istikhara can also be made for a particular matter, a general question, or for well-being every day.

 Dua Istikhara can only be performed when you pray

Some people believe that you can only perform istikhara in a state of wudu or after a salah. If it is not possible to perform the istikhara prayer, such as a traveling or during your menstruation, you can simply read the istikhara dua on its own.

Also Read: Surah Al-Qadr – The Night of Power with Translation

How to Perform Istikhara

The Dua Istikhara is a brief prayer seeking guidance. You will be rewarded for completing it and receive Divine assistance towards the best decision to achieve greater success than deciding for yourself.

• Pray two sunnah rakats at any time that is not disliked.
• If you are short of time, you can combine your istikhara prayer with another sunnah prayer.

After your istikhara prayer, recite the dua of istikhara:

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 لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي

“O Allah, verily I seek the better [of either choice] from You, by Your knowledge, and I seek ability from You, by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed You have power, and I am powerless; You have knowledge, and I know not; You are the Knower of the unseen realms.

O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me about my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if you know that this matter is bad for me concerning my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then turn it away from me and me from it; and decree for me better than it, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”

• You can say the dua of Istikhara if you cannot pray Istikhara or if you are in a state of menses.
• It is best to recite the istikhara before sleeping, though it is not necessary.
• Like other duas, it is recommended to face the qibla.
• It is recommended to open the  Dua Istikhara by praising Allah, sending blessings on the Prophet (PBUH), and closing off in this manner.

After that, do not hasten to seek the answer to your istikhara. The Prophet PBUH said:

“Your prayers are answered unless you hasten, saying, ‘I prayed, but no answer came.'”

How Do You Get Your Answer from Istikhara?

• Imam al-Nawawi mentioned that before the Dua Istikhara, you should seek advice from those whom you are confident in their knowledge, wisdom, and concern for you. 
• Ibn Hajar al-Haytami mentioned that you should distance yourself from the desires of your egotistical inclinations. 
• Shaykh Nuh Keller suggests that the more you pray istikhara, the clearer your answer will be, and that you should pray it for all matters, even things you might not think to pray istikhara for.
• You must avoid your judgment or inclination about the particular case and wait for Allah SWT to show you a sign or to make things happen in a way that indicates what you must do. 
• If you are not clear about the result of the istikhara, it is recommended to repeat it up to 7 times if necessary, and on separate occasions. Your answer may not necessarily come to you in the form of a dream or even as a ‘feeling.’ 
• Instead, the solution from your istikhara prayer will be guidance from Allah SWT towards that which is khayr best for you.
• To perform istikhara with proper manners, you will need to suspend your wants and desires, as your intention is purely to consign the matter to your Lord.
• Thereafter, Allah SWT will guide the events in the best direction for your worldly and afterlife affairs, insha’Allah.
• For your convenience, I have added a video featuring the beautiful voice of Qari Omar Hisham, mashallah, which you can listen to if you would like to recite the istikhara dua.

Also Read: Surah Al-Imran – Deep Insights & Divine Guidance

Conclusion

 Dua Istikhara is one of the greatest gifts Allah SWT has provided us—an absolute route to invoke His guidance when our hearts are in dilemma, and our minds are confused. This strong prayer makes it possible for us to admit our shortcomings and extend our complete trust to the One who is aware of the things that we are not. Istikhara is not just a means for major decision-making but also an outstanding practice that invites purity, calmness, and assurance in all areas of our lives.

Through learning the right way, clearing misconceptions, and performing it with purity invite Allah’s wisdom in our matters. The response might not always be in the form of dreams or sudden signs, but through the slow and soft unfolding of events, which lead us to what is actually best. When we surrender our own wishes completely and put our trust in Allah, He takes us to the good through the paths that were beyond our imagination.

Let us pray that Allah SWT make Dua Istikhara a habit in our daily lives, pouring blessings on our decisions, turning us away from the undesirable, and leading us to what benefits us in this world and the hereafter. Ameen.

FAQ’s