Salat-l-Istikhara
Anytime a Muslim is making a decision, he or she should seek Allah’s guidance and wisdom. Allah alone knows what is best for us, and there may be good in what we perceive as bad, and bad in what we perceive as good.
Watch this amazing video on Istikharah by Yasmin Mogahed. It will change how you look at Istikhara
and it’s incredibly inspiring. Click here to watch it.
If you are ambivalent or unsure about a decision you have to make, there is a specific prayer for guidance (Salat-l-Istikhara) that you can do to ask for Allah’s help in making your decision. Should you marry this certain person? Should you attend this graduate school? Should you take this job offer or that one? Allah knows what is best for you, and if you are not sure about a choice that you have, seek His guidance.
Salat al-Istikhara is a powerful tool that Allah has given us to ask His guidance in all matters. We should not hesitate to pray Istikhara before making any choice in our lives, big or small.
It’s important to do this prayer with sincerity, knowing in our hearts that only Allah can give us the guidance we seek, and resolved to follow the guidance He gives us, even if it clashes with our own desires.
We should also say the dua with firm conviction, not begging or pleading, but asking Allah clearly for guidance.
And we should not be impatient after our dua. We do not put Allah on a timetable. And we should not expect some sort of miracle, or a dream full of signs and symbols. These things are not necessary. We simply say our prayers and trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best.
Salat-l-Istikhara is described in the Hadith narration below.
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam used to teach us the way of doing istikhara (istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Surats 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):
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 فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ
‘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 Al-Bukhari – Book 21 Hadith 263
* When making the dua, the actual matter or decision should be mentioned instead of the words “hathal-amra” (“this matter”).
What needs to be noted is that the answer to one’s istikhara prayer does not come simply in the form of dreams and feelings but in how Allah facilitates and unfolds events for an individual after he or she genuinely strives to do what is best.
Take the most effective means, which includes consulting those whose knowledge and wisdom one has confidence in, and place your trust in Allah.
Lastly, one needs to be patient in terms of receiving the answer to their prayers. Remember the words of our Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam, “The supplication of everyone is granted as long as he does not show haste and does not say that he made a supplication but it was not accepted.” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
And Allah knows best, He is the All-Seeing, All-Hearing, the best Planner. May He guide us and ease all our difficulties. Ameen.
72 comments
When should this salah be offer???
I believe whenever you do your five daily prayers, “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)
do i need to memorise this dua, or can i read it of a paper?
Assalamu alykum 🙂 it’s preferable to memorise it but if you feel better to read it of a paper you can do that as well.
Waleed from Tunisia
I have researched to find the process of istikara in Arabic language. I did not find it. In Urdu and English they are coming with some kind of process. What I found in Arabic is just a dua, nothing else. Muslims, Allah has asked us to use our intelligence, akl, do some calculations, making planning. There is a huge difference between humans and animals. Islam provides us honour and intelligence. I am not comfortable with the English and Urdu Translation of the whole process of Istikara. The original Arabic language does not say what they have translated. Actually they have added something from their own. It is a simple dua. It is logical that Muslim makes dua of blessings and barakah before doing anything. Let us now overemphasize on it. Islam provides us respect, honour, and gives us intelligence to think, plan. And why we have to memorize that dua I dont understand. We can make dua in any language. Does Allah’s messenger has asked us to memorize that dua? It is a simple Arabic dua. Why are we dramatizing so much on this? Brother, Allah Azawajal has given you intelligence, use it please.
If you read this dua carefully, one cannot miss that we are asking for nothing but khair. Allah Almighty has given us the faculty of akhl or intelligence. Anybody who refused to use this intelligence does not remain human being. The whole dua is nothing but showing your relationship with Allah. The fundamental aspect of a momin’s life is to use intelligence, wisdom, meshwera, consultation. I have seen many a times that all the intelligence and calculations are showing that we should do the work, and still people did not do since they claim that they have some feelings. That is wrong. This is not Islam. Islam emphasises intelligence, akl, using your wisdom, do planning and calculations. Istikara means asking for barakah or khair, nothing else. Let us not reduce human intelligence to the level of donkeys. In the whole islamic history, not a single incident is recorded that due to istikara the companions have cancelled this or that. Please use your intelligence, wisdom, do meshwara with the right people, research it and then ask Allah for barakah or blessings or Khair. Let us not dramatise this whole process pleeeeease.
Does this dua come before or after the salaams? Some references say before, others say after. Does that mean that each one is correct?
Dua to be read AFTER the istikhara prayer. It is not part of the prayer.
If you read this dua carefully, one cannot miss that we are asking for nothing but khair. Allah Almighty has given us the faculty of akhl or intelligence. Anybody who refused to use this intelligence does not remain human being. The whole dua is nothing but showing your relationship with Allah. The fundamental aspect of a momin’s life is to use intelligence, wisdom, meshwera, consultation. I have seen many a times that all the intelligence and calculations are showing that we should do the work, and still people did not do since they claim that they have some feelings. That is wrong. This is not Islam. Islam emphasises intelligence, akl, using your wisdom, do planning and calculations. Istikara means asking for barakah or khair, nothing else. Let us not reduce human intelligence to the level of donkeys. In the whole islamic history, not a single incident is recorded that due to istikara the companions have cancelled this or that. Please use your intelligence, wisdom, do meshwara with the right people, research it and then ask Allah for barakah or blessings or Khair. Let us not dramatise this whole process pleeeeease. Jazakalllahu khairun.
alhamdulillah,,,,,,,,,i take note the du’a ,,,,,,,shukran lakum ya ummatal muslimin this is the BEST ,what a wonderful du’a jazakallahu khairan katheeran
ALHAMDULILLAH____:)__shukran lakum ya ummatal muslimin .I’ll take note this du’a Ma shaa allah what a wonderful du’a ……………<3 it helps me a lot
jazakallahu khairan katheeran
Is it possible to find a clear version of this dua, with all the vowels etc.. as it is hard to read off this. JazakAllah
what is the niyyat for 2 rakath namaz for this prayer?? And should it be prayed before we go to bed or what time is relevant for this 2 rakat namaz?
I believe whenever you do your five daily prayers, “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):
If I sees the positive signs then how long it takes to get that
I myself was having trouble in reading the arabic, So I am sharing a better Khat (arabic writing)
Istikhara kse padhte h aur kis namaz ke bd aur konsa surah padhte h
Assalam o Alaaikum wrwb Brother 🙂 Istekhaara 2 Nafal main Parhtey hainn, Jo ap Kabi b parh sktey hain jb niyat ho aur Istekhaara apko 2 nafal main perform kr k Akhr main Salam k Baad pehley ALLAH ki tareef krni zyda se zyda, For example [ Aytel kursi, darood etc.] iskey baad apko yeh dua parhnii jo text pr likhi hui and us dua main jb Haza Amrah ayega to apko Us cheez, shaks ka naam mention krna hoga jiske liye Ap salat’ul Istekhaara kr rahey. That’s it. Yh dua parh kr beshaq ap phir apni dua parhley jiske liye b apko dua krnii.
If you read this dua carefully, one cannot miss that we are asking for nothing but khair. Allah Almighty has given us the faculty of akhl or intelligence. Anybody who refused to use this intelligence does not remain human being. The whole dua is nothing but showing your relationship with Allah. The fundamental aspect of a momin’s life is to use intelligence, wisdom, meshwera, consultation. I have seen many a times that all the intelligence and calculations are showing that we should do the work, and still people did not do since they claim that they have some feelings. That is wrong. This is not Islam. Islam emphasises intelligence, akl, using your wisdom, do planning and calculations. Istikara means asking for barakah or khair, nothing else. Let us now reduce human intelligence to the level of donkeys. In the whole islamic history, not a single incident is recorded that due to istikara the companions have cancelled this or that. Please use your intellignece, wisdom, do meshwara with the right people, research it and then ask Allah for barakah or blessings or Khair. Let us not dramatise this whole process pleeeeease. Jazakallah khair.
Jazaak Allahu Khairan brother. I had the same trouble. The pics you provided are alot better!
great dua Mashallah – can we put a CSS { line-height: 2; } on the dua please for better reading.
Aslm my brothers in Islam pls continues impeaching peoples u will get the rewards from ur almighty Allah, and it will be your Assadaqatujja riyya thanks allot.
This dua comes after the prayer and yes we can read this dua from the paper .May ALLAH always show us the right path.ameen
Assalaualaikum,
I would like to share the right way of doing Ishtekhara..
Most preferably it is done after Namaz-e-Isha, Read 2 rakaats Nafil for Ishtekhara and after 2 rakaats read the above Dua with asking for the guidance of your work. Do this or 7 days until you get a clear feeling whether this work is better for you or not. Ishtekhara can be done for maximum 9 days.
Jazakallah!
Waleykumsalaam sister.
There is no specific time to perform Salaatul Istikhaarah dear sister .. It can be done anytime during which nafil prayers are allowed. Salaatul istikhaarah is not time bound, it is just a nafil prayer offered to ask for guidance. And also, there is no minimum or maximum times it should be done. There is no time limit in asking for guidance from Allah 🙂 If someone is still not sure about his decision, he can repeat the salaat as much as he wants until he feels convinced about what he wants to do.
And Allah knows best ..
Can we ask a boy whom with i want to marry from allah ta’la is it a gunah,???
No, you can perform istikhara for marriage proposals, etc.
Does istikhara also work like this? We ask someone like sheikh to do for us in seeking Allah’s guidance and sign? The sheikh then does the prayer for 2 or 3 minutes with all the dua, then when he finishs he open the Qur’an any page any sura, and accept the sura whatever it’s written there it’s the sign from Allah? And only does it one or two times. Is it right?
This is not correct. There is no such thing that you must offer 2 rakah. I dont know where did it come from. Read the hadeet. If you read this dua carefully, one cannot miss that we are asking for nothing but khair. Allah Almighty has given us the faculty of akhl or intelligence. Anybody who refused to use this intelligence does not remain human being. The whole dua is nothing but showing your relationship with Allah. The fundamental aspect of a momin’s life is to use intelligence, wisdom, meshwera, consultation. I have seen many a times that all the intelligence and calculations are showing that we should do the work, and still people did not do since they claim that they have some feelings. That is wrong. This is not Islam. Islam emphasises intelligence, akl, using your wisdom, do planning and calculations. Istikara means asking for barakah or khair, nothing else. Let us not reduce human intelligence to the level of donkeys. In the whole islamic history, not a single incident is recorded that due to istikara the companions have cancelled this or that. Please use your intellignece, wisdom, do meshwara with the right people, research it and then ask Allah for barakah or blessings or Khair. Let us not dramatise this whole process pleeeeease.
Brother, I am somewhat disagree with you on not performing 2 Rakah, the reason is our Prophet SAW always recommended when there is a situation or a matter become serious go for Salah so Istikhara is also kind of a serious matter when we seek ALLAH’s Goodness. Here are very few references for your information:
Almighty Allah says in the holy Quran : “And seek help with patience
and salah, verily this is difficult but for the submissive
servants.”[Surah Baqrah Verse 45]
Human beings are always in need of Allah’s mercy and bounties,
regardless of a person being in adversity or not, and therefore he has
commanded us to seek his help, in a manner which pleases him and is
taught to us by our Prophet SAW
A hadith states that Huzaifa (R.A.) said, ‘Whenever a matter became
serious, the Prophet SAW turned to Salaah. (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu
Dawood, Hafiz ibn Hajar has quoted it in his book Fathul Baari and has
said, ‘It is with a good sanad’), furthermore, Imam Ahmad RA has on
sound authority reported from Abu Darda RA that the Prophet SAW said:
“He who makes wudu, and does it properly, then prays two rak’at, Allah
will grant him whatever he may pray for, sooner or later.”
The tradition shows that the Prophet SAW himself would turn to Salaah
whenever he was affected or confronted with anything. As such, a need
is one which is a matter of seriousness and turning to Salaah and
supplication is indeed one of the best ways to fulfil it. In fact the
believers are ordered in the Holy Quran to ‘Seek help in patience and
Salaah’. Hence, turning to Salaah for assistance in fulfilling one’s
need is from the guidance which Allah has given to the believers in the
Holy Quran.
How do I mention the matter
I mean should I do it like ta’lamu Anna…….. I don’t get it please help 🙁
Assalam alaykum i just want to ask regarding dua istikara i am always reading dat after the fardhu prayer is it consider or accepted just to read d dua istikhara after fardhu prayer?
Assalam alaykum brother and sister
Hi
the heading says how to perform istekhaara prayers , but does not specify the method how to pray , how many rakats , when to pray?
is it to do in only night time before sleeping or can be done any time after any prayers pl clarify
I hope this video will make the matter clearer for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEcovFTsQ4E
Assalaamu Allaikum Brothers and Sisters, whoever wants to know about complete information about istikhara, watch this video Brother Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda has explained it very very clearly. Its a long video but if you want to know complete information about istikhara then watch it. Jazakhum Allah Kyaran.
assalamualykum
then how we can know the answer of Allah
Jazakallah it was very well explained.
Assalamualaikum, please guide me, which one should i refer to…this verse (as stated in the web)
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 فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ
فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي
شَرٌّ فِي دِينِي
وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ
or this verse
Assalamu Alykum….Brother can anyone help me out of the exact page number in Quran or .Ayatul Quran where i can recite it from.
Assalamualaykum, can somebody post a dua about taking course
Salam, can someone of this group can me dua about taking course, because the dua shown above is for taking job, so i cannot use it when i want to ask Allah’s guidance when i want to change my course, I know I can speak on my own language, but it is really better to make dua using the Allah’s words.
Shukran.
Asalama aleykum is it only for job or can i pray istikhara for taking a decision of leaving something am addicted with
thank you
JazakAllah
Can we make dua in English?
Yeah you can but, do it in Arabic first, if you can then later on with English. It’s better to do both, Arabic and English together.
I have a question. Even if we have a positive result of ur istakhara, does it also stand for the assurity of that happening the future? i mean does it also tell you that so and so will happen?
ASSALAMUALAIKUM,
I HAVE DOUBT AFTER WE OFFER SALAT L ISTIKHARA ,
WHERE WE SLEEP MY MEAN SHALL WE SLEEP ON MAT(JAANIMAZ) OR ON BED,
AFTER COMPLETION OF SALAH IF WE TALK TO ANY ONE IS FORBIDDEN OR NOT,
HOW MANY DAYS HAVE TO OFFER SALAH?
Walay kum Assalam Brother in Islam, How many days? well I assume you not to stop offering until then.It will take time so don’t stop!
اثنتا عشرة ركعة تصليهن من ليل أو نهار وتتشهد بين كل ركعتين ، فإذا تشهدت في آخر صلاتك واثن على الله عز وجل ، وصل على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، واقرأ وأنت ساجد فاتحة الكتاب سبع مرات ، وآية الكرسي سبع مرات ، وقل : لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير عشر مرات ، ثم قل : اللهم إني أسألك بمعاقد العز من عرشك ومنتهى الرحمة من كتابك ، واسمك الأعظم ، وجدك الأعلى ، وكلماتك التامة ، ثم سل حاجتك ، ثم ارفع رأسك ، ثم سلم يمينا وشمالا ، ولا تعلموها السفهاء فإنهم يدعون بها فيستجاب
i got many miracles after i did Istakhaarh. just believe Allah knows the best.
Just under the dua, there is:
* When making the dua, the actual matter or decision should be mentioned instead of the words “hathal-amra” (“this matter”).
Does this have to be in Arabic or any language (like our mother tongue) will suffice?
Thanks
Assalamualeykum……..How the two rakat of istikhara (nafil) should be
performed??????? it shld be performed same as other nafil prayers or any
other procedure???? and in place of hadha-l-amra ( which comes two
times in dua ) the name of the person should be taken instead of these
words???????…..kindly clear my confusion
Assalamualeykum……..How the two rakat of istikhara (nafil) should be
performed??????? it shld be performed same as other nafil prayers or any
other procedure???? and in place of hadha-l-amra ( which comes two
times in dua ) the name of the person should be taken instead of these
words???????…..kindly clear my confusion
Assalamualeykum……..How the two rakat of istikhara (nafil) should be
performed??????? it shld be performed same as other nafil prayers or any
other procedure???? and in place of hadha-l-amra ( which comes two
times in dua ) the name of the person should be taken instead of these
words or after reciting the word the name of the person should be taken ???????…..kindly clear my confusion
Can ‘the matter’ be said in other language other than Arabic?
aslamu caleykum
my question is while i’m reading the dua , am i going to mention my targeted need with my local language or for Arabic? second one is it’s necessary to read after or in salad the dua ?
Walay kum Assalm, It’s best to read in Arabic first then your native language with it. Do it both, it’s better 🙂 and also i think it’s after Salah, majority of practicing Muslim do.
Masha Allah, jazakhallah khair for this well explain sunna prayer.
asalkm.i did istakhara for marriage and I saw a dream my sanchak function is going on everybody is happy there is mehandi design on my hands.is it good or bad for me
mehandi is dry on my hands
Dreams can be related to Allah and also to Shaitan. Please do not rely on dreams. If you read this dua carefully, one cannot miss that we are asking for nothing but khair. Allah Almighty has given us the faculty of akhl or intelligence. Anybody who refused to use this intelligence does not remain human being. The whole dua is nothing but showing your relationship with Allah. The fundamental aspect of a momin’s life is to use intelligence, wisdom, meshwera, consultation. I have seen many a times that all the intelligence and calculations are showing that we should do the work, and still people did not do since they claim that they have some feelings. That is wrong. This is not Islam. Islam emphasises intelligence, akl, using your wisdom, do planning and calculations. Istikara means asking for barakah or khair, nothing else. Let us not reduce human intelligence to the level of donkeys. In the whole islamic history, not a single incident is recorded that due to istikara the companions have cancelled this or that. Please use your intellignece, wisdom, do meshwara with the right people, research it and then ask Allah for barakah or blessings or Khair. Let us not dramatise this whole process pleeeeease.
Assalamalaikum as mentioned instead of hathal amra we are suppose to mention our need after which should we continue the dua ot wot is d exact procedure I am little confused here
Can I say the hathal amra/the matter in another language e.g. English instead of Arabic? Thanks
I have researched to find the process of istikara in Arabic language. I did not find it. In Urdu and English they are coming with some kind of process. What I found in Arabic is just a dua, nothing else. Muslims, Allah has asked us to use our intelligence, akl, do some calculations, making planning. There is a huge difference between humans and animals. Islam provides us honour and intelligence. I am not comfortable with the English and Urdu Translation of the whole process of Istikara. The original Arabic language does not say what they have translated. Actually they have added something from their own. It is a simple dua. It is logical that Muslim makes dua of blessings and barakah before doing anything. Let us now overemphasize on it. Islam provides us respect, honour, and gives us intelligence to think, plan.
Assalamu valaikum…I hav did istakhara..,I performed ist saw madina frst nd then wen to makkha nd prayed there…wat does it mean.. ll my wish ll be correct or not correct…plz help me out
is it allowed to do istekhara to ask Allah if someone is right for us(for marriage) or not?
If we get a positive answer, it it compulsory to do that?Is it a sin even if we try our best but fail to do it?
If I performed istakhara salat after I took decision and there is no other option to go back…and in worst case if I see anything not good..please guide.
Assalamu Alaikum, I hope for those looking of the arbic tex will found this useful, and I want to advice to those that are making comment of not finding Istikhara meaningful, may Allah forgive them and increases us I wisdom, Allah s.w.a is the best planner and he is the one that said who ever console s.w.a in taking decision will not fail, think about it when you pray put it your skull is either Allah s.w.a provides it for you, delays or forgive your minor sins. I will advice that we should go learn Islam we shouldn’t be a practising Muslim only by inheritance please. Jazakallahu bikhair. Maasalam.
the word ‘Lii’ on the arabic writing is missed, please rectify it, brothers.
ASLAM O ALAIKUM
is istikhra halal ????