The noble practice of Istikhārah refers to the act of “Seeking good in any important matter or task.” It is a profound act of worship and reliance upon Allāh Ta‘ālā, affirming that true knowledge of what is best lies only with the Creator. When faced with a significant decision, a believer turns to Allāh (Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā) for guidance, entrusting the outcome to His limitless Knowledge and Power.
Performing Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah
The Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah (Prayer for Seeking Good) is a recommended Sunnah practice, performed specifically when one is undecided about taking on a permissible matter. The procedure is straightforward yet deeply meaningful:
- Perform Two Rak‘āt: The believer first performs a two Rak‘āt (units) of supererogatory Ṣalāh (prayer). This initial act demonstrates humility and readiness for worship before making the supplication.
- Recitation in Ṣalāh: It is recommended to recite Sūrah al-Kāfirūn (Chapter 109) in the first Rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, and Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ (Chapter 112) in the second Rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
- Recite the Du‘ā’: Immediately after completing the two Rak‘āt and performing the Taslīm (ending the prayer), one should raise their hands and recite the specific Du‘ā’ (supplication) of Istikhārah.
The Sacred Supplication (Du‘ā’) of Istikhārah
The Du‘ā’ of Istikhārah is a comprehensive plea, acknowledging Allāh’s Sovereignty and seeking His best decree for the believer’s life in this world and the Hereafter. The Du‘ā’ begins with praise and salutations:
Beginning of the Supplication:
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Translation: “All praises are due to Allāh, the Rabb (Lord) of the Worlds. Salutations and Greetings be on our leader, Muḥammad, his family and all his Companions.”
The Main Invocation:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيْمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، اَللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِيْ وَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّيْ وَاصْرِفْنِيْ عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِيْ بِهِ
Translation: “Oh Allāh! I seek from You a decision by virtue of Your Knowledge (of what is best), and I seek from You the ability (to realise my object) by virtue of Your Power, and I ask You (to grant me) from Your Great Bounty, for indeed You have power and I do not have power, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. Oh Allāh! If, according to Your Knowledge, this matter (at this point one states the matter or decision in question) is good for me with regards to my religious affairs, my worldly life and my final outcome (i.e. in the Hereafter), then direct it towards me and ease it for me, thereafter grant me blessing in it. And if, according to Your Knowledge, this matter is evil for me with regards to my religious affairs, my worldly life and my final outcome (i.e. in the Hereafter), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it. And direct towards me that which is good, no matter where it is, thereafter make me pleased with it (i.e. that good.)”
The Minimal Requirement and the Outcome
It is important to note that if a person cannot perform the full Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah for whatever reason—such as being unwell, menstruating, or having no time—they should at least recite the Du‘ā’ of Istikhārah. The emphasis is on the supplication, which expresses the reliance on Allāh, even though performing the Ṣalāh before the Du‘ā’ carries greater merit.
After completing the Istikhārah, the believer should then adopt a decision in accordance with whatever the heart is inclined towards. The inclination that follows the Istikhārah is considered the sign of Allāh’s guidance.
Crucially, it is not necessary that a person sees any dream or receives a clear vision. The guidance manifests in the subsequent ease or difficulty encountered in pursuing the matter, and the genuine inclination that settles in the heart. One should simply proceed with whatever occurs to the heart after Istikhārah. Inshā’Allāh (God willing), there will be Khair (goodness) and Barakah (blessings) in that decision.