Istikhara: Seeking Allah's Guidance

Istikhara means to ask Allah for guidance in making a decision concerning any situation, deed or matter. When faced with making a decision it is Sunnah for a Muslim to seek Allah’s guidance and wisdom. Prayer for guidance (Salat-ul-Istikhara) is a prayer that you can perform to ask for Allah’s help in making your decision. It is a gift Allah has given to us so that we can ask for His guidance in all matters, big or small.

It is important to have a pure intention before offering this prayer, free from desires that will deter a person from seeking true guidance. Sincerity is key in seeking Allah's help. Remember, Allah Alone knows what is best for us.

Narrated By Jabir bin 'Abdullah: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):

'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika al-'azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta'lamu Wala a'lamu, Wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri (or fi'ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.'

(O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter... (or said: If it is better for my present and later needs). Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter... (or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs). Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it).

The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 002, Book 021, Hadith Number 263 Also see Sahih Bukhari Volume 008, Book 075, Hadith Number 391

The words “hathal-amra” in the above due translate to “this matter” and refer to the situation, deed or matter for which you are seeking Allah's guidance.

The following two hadiths also reference the same dua. It is noted that the matter is defined in the middle of the dua instead of defining it at the end. The wording may be slightly different but they serve the same purpose, i.e. to seek Allah's guidance in making a decision.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 009, Book 093, Hadith Number 487
Abu Dawud Book 002, Hadith Number 1533

After offering this prayer, one must not be impatient. There is no time limit or any defined methods in which guidance will be received. We trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best for us.