The Complete Guide to Praying Istikhara: Finding Divine Guidance in Your Decisions

The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to the Istikhara Prayer

Step 1: Make Wudu and Prepare Yourself

Begin by making proper wudu (ablution) and finding a clean, quiet place where you can focus entirely on your prayer and supplication.

Step 2: Perform Two Rakats of Prayer

Pray two rakats of non-obligatory prayer. According to scholars like Imam al-Nawawi in his book "Al-Adhkar," you should:

• Make your intention for Salat al-Istikhara

• In the first rakat, after Surah Al-Fatiha, it's recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun

• In the second rakat, after Al-Fatiha, it's recommended to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas

While specific surahs (Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas) are recommended by some scholars, the Prophet ﷺ did not specify any particular surahs for Istikhara. You may recite any verses you are comfortable with.

Step 3: Recite the Dua of Istikhara

After completing the prayer, before or after the final tasleem (saying "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" to conclude the prayer), recite the dua of Istikhara.

According to the majority view of scholars, it's preferable to recite the dua after tasleem while remaining in your seated position. However, some held the opinion that it could be recited before tasleem, and both positions have their merits.

Here is the complete dua of Istikhara as narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih al-Bukhari:

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 (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Transliteration: "Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha l-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi, wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha l-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li l-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bihi."

English Translation: "O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power, while I have none, and You have knowledge, while I know not, and You are the Knower of all that is hidden. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your specific need or concern) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair (or he said: in the immediate and later aspects of my affair), then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair (or he said: in the immediate and later aspects of my affair), 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."

When reciting the dua, replace "hadha l-amra" (this matter) with the specific issue you're seeking guidance about. Be specific in your mind about what exactly you're asking for guidance about.

Reading from a Phone or Paper

According to scholars, there is no issue with reading the dua from a phone, paper, or book if you haven't memorized it. What matters most is the sincerity of your heart and understanding what you're asking for.

After Completing the Prayer

After completing the Istikhara prayer, go about your activities normally while maintaining a positive expectation of Allah's response. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that part of having good faith in Allah is to expect good from Him.

Important Considerations for Istikhara

Is There an Ideal Time for Istikhara?

While there isn't a specifically prescribed time for Istikhara in the Sunnah, many scholars recommend performing it during times when prayers are more likely to be answered:

• During the last third of the night

• Between the Adhan and Iqamah

• After obligatory prayers, especially after Fajr (dawn) prayer

• On Fridays, particularly during the last hour before sunset

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned in "Zad al-Ma'ad" that times of Divine descent (like the last third of the night) are especially blessed for supplications.