Istikhara is a special prayer in Islam to seek Allah's guidance when making a decision. It involves praying two non-obligatory rak'ahs followed by a specific du'a (supplication). Here is how to perform Istikhara:
- Begin with the intention (niyyah) to perform the Sunnah Istikhara prayer: "I intend to pray two rak'ahs of Istikhara for Allah (SWT)."
- Pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha and any other Surahs after it in each rak'ah.
- After concluding the prayer with salam, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara du'a: "Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka biqudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'azim. Fa'innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wata'lamu wala a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra (mention your matter) khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, faqduruhu li, wayassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haythu kan, thumma ardini bih."
- Mention your specific matter in the du'a where indicated.
- After this, be attentive for Allah's guidance, which may come through inclination in the heart or ease/difficulty in the matter.
Istikhara can be done at any time, ideally when facing important decisions, and can be repeated as needed. It is meant to seek Allah's blessings in the decision and does not guarantee a dream or clear sign. Instead, it ensures Allah's support for what is best. Doubt or regret after the prayer should be avoided, trusting Allah's wisdom.
If Arabic is not known, it is permissible to recite the du'a in any language sincerely. Even performing just the du'a without the prayer is considered valid in some circumstances.
