A Guide to Istikhara, the Prayer for Guidance | Blog

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught istikhara as a crucial part of decision-making. Alongside istikhara, one should consult trusted and righteous individuals in their life about decisions. This is called istishara and it was a common practice for our Messenger ﷺ to do. We see it all throughout the seerah, as he consulted most often, Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and other companions.

Although it is common to perform istikhara for big decisions such as picking a career path, moving forward with a marriage proposal, or purchasing a house; istikhara prayer is not limited to big decisions. It’s narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to teach the sahaba the istikhara for each and every matter as he used to teach the sahaba surahs from the Holy Qur'an [Sahih al-Bukhari #6382]. The early generations would seek Allah’s guidance for many matters, including things that we may consider small.

Istikhara involves praying two non-obligatory rak'ahs followed by a specific du'a, seeking Allah’s guidance after personal effort and consultation with others. These rak'ahs can be woven into our natural daily sunnah, such as the two rak'ahs before Fajr or after Maghrib, or they can be an additional two rak'ahs. Some may find it more serene to offer these extra rak'ahs at night, after Isha as a part of their qiyaam-al-layl, amidst the tranquility of the latter third of the night, while others may choose a different time for its significance. For example, one might pray these additional rak'ahs and recite the du’a right before heading to a job interview in the afternoon, finding solace in the immediacy of divine guidance before embarking on the task at hand.

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

O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, and I do not. You know, and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter then decree 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, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it [Sahih al-Bukhari #6382].

Many cultures have linked dreams with answers to one’s istikhara, yet we understand from the Sunnah that there are three types of dreams: those from Allah, imbued with meaning; the regurgitated thoughts of our nafs; and those from Shaytan [Sahih Muslim #2263]. We might wish to believe ourselves divinely inspired through our dreams, but often it is merely our nafs and the jumble of our daily thoughts manifesting. For instance, if we are contemplating a marriage proposal and praying istikhara, and this potential spouse appears frequently in our dreams, it might simply reflect our desire and preoccupation with that person.

Reflect on the words of the du’a: “O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.” This supplication does not request Allah to reveal the path through dreams; rather, it seeks His guidance to facilitate what is truly beneficial and to make it easy for us.

There exists a peculiar practice wherein individuals seek out someone deemed “more pious” to perform istikhara on their behalf, expecting that person to receive a dream as an answer. Often, financial compensation is given for this supposed service. However, the du’a of istikhara is precise in its wording and deeply personal in its nature; it is a dialogue between the individual and Allah. While it is always beneficial to ask our loved ones to pray for us in general, the notion of delegating the two rak'ahs to someone else and anticipating a dream response is not in accordance with the Sunnah.

There are misguided practices where people write "yes" and "no" on pieces of paper and choose one at random after praying istikhara. However, this method is neither from the Sunnah nor supported by any Islamic texts; it is merely a game of chance.

Istikhara is not a magical incantation, nor does it require celestial signs. Our minds, once fixed on a decision, have an uncanny way of transforming the ordinary into omens: the inflection in a voice, the rescheduling of an appointment, or even the color of an object. When faced with significant choices, we often seek signs to steer us, perhaps to alleviate our own uncertainty or to shift the burden of responsibility should the outcome be unfavorable.

It is essential to grasp the profound simplicity of the du'a taught by our Prophet ﷺ. Istikhara is a sincere prayer for guidance, a humble request for Allah to pave the way for what is beneficial and to divert us from what is detrimental. It is not a search for signs, but a plea for divine wisdom and clarity.

Consider how the du’a of istikhara asks Allah to either make a matter easy and blessed for us or to remove it if it is not good. Imagine planning to make a purchase, only for the contract to fall through, or planning to take a loan, only to find that it is no longer necessary. The essence of the istikhara du’a is seeking ease in our affairs, and sometimes that ease comes swiftly. At other times, the desired decision or outcome might take years to manifest. Delays in answered prayers often lead to outcomes far better than initially anticipated.

Take, for instance, Zakariya’s (as) prolonged wait for parenthood, which allowed him to care for Maryam (as). Or consider the Prophet’s ﷺ delayed Hajj, which led to the significant Treaty of Hudaibiyah, eventually resulting in the conquest of Madinah. The timing of istikhara du’a's response should not be a source of concern. Instead, one should cherish the closeness to Allah that develops while actively taking steps and trusting in His wisdom.

The question of whether things change with time touches upon the deeper concept of qadar. Often, the immediate outcomes of our actions may not seem favorable, yet they are part of Allah’s grand design for our personal and spiritual growth. Perhaps, your istikhara was answered in a certain way for a period, only for the subsequent events to unfold in a manner that seems wholly negative. Does this imply a misunderstanding of your istikhara? Not at all, for istikhara is not about immediate clarity or guaranteed ease in life; there is no idea of a “positive istikhara” or “negative istikhara”. It is a request for divine guidance, and sometimes Allah’s guidance leads us through challenging paths to foster resilience and patience within us. Trials and rejections are often the crucible in which our spiritual and mental fortitude is forged, drawing us nearer to Allah and strengthening our faith.

Marriage is one of life's most pivotal decisions, shaping the course of our existence in myriad ways. It dictates the building of a family, the rhythms of daily life, the habits we cultivate, and the passions we pursue together. This singular relationship can influence the trajectory of our future in terms of career, wealth, health, and overall well-being. It is little wonder, then, that we seek Allah's comprehensive guidance during this crucial decision-making process. Istikhara for marriage is perhaps the most common, and it is during these times that impatience often surfaces.

Yet, delays before marriage offer a profound opportunity for introspection and a closer connection to Allah. Continuous du'a nurtures a deep relationship with the Responder, Al-Mujeeb. The experiences and trials encountered in this interim period are essential for personal growth and preparation. Just as the Prophet’s ﷺ journey was marked by hardships before reaching Madinah, our challenges serve as necessary steps toward our ultimate goals.

When we are sincere in our istikhara, sincere in asking for this proposal to be easy and blessed, or taken away and our hearts be content: the answer will be obvious. Allah will make things easy if this person is good for your deen, dunya, and akhira or Allah will make things difficult and move your heart away from this person. In the end, you aren’t seeking happiness: you are seeking contentment and solace. Allah is the Creator of hearts, the turner of hearts, and the mender of hearts. The ending of the istikhara du’a is a plea for peace within our hearts.

Keep in mind that there are general du’as for marriage and love. We should say these du’as throughout our day, because even the prophets made du’a for these things:

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord! Bless us with pious spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous. [Qur’an 25:74]

‏اللهم إني أسألك حبك، وحب من يحبك، والعمل الذي يبلغني حبك، اللهم اجعل حبك أحب إلى من نفسي، وأهلي، ومن الماء البارد

O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family, and cold water. [Sunan at-Tirmidhi #3490]

Throughout our day, we implore Allah for guidance, reciting from Surah Fatiha:

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Guide us along the Straight Path

[Qur’an 1:6]

The istikhara du’a, in its essence, mirrors this plea, seeking divine guidance for a specific decision. Allah, in His wisdom, instructs us to turn to Him in our most significant matters—those that shape our lives and our journey towards the hereafter, the path to jannah. By engaging in istikhara, we not only adhere to a sunnah but also cultivate our trust in Allah’s supreme wisdom. It is an act of humility, where we confess our frailty and limited understanding, affirming our devotion and reliance on Allah. Istikhara is a powerful reminder of our humanity, our profound need for Allah, and our conviction in His all-encompassing knowledge. As an act of worship, it promises rewards in the hereafter, while simultaneously enriching our emotional and spiritual well-being in this life. In this sacred supplication, we find solace and strength, reaffirming our faith and fortifying our connection with the Divine.