Making important and challenging life decisions can often feel overwhelming or confusing. Islam offers a beautiful way to seek divine guidance through Istikhara — a special prayer in which we ask Allah to guide us toward what is best. Whether it’s decisions about marriage, business, travel, or other significant matters, performing Istikhara correctly helps you place your trust in Allah and seek His blessings. It plays a vital role in helping Muslims make the right decisions.
Today, we will discuss the correct way to perform Istikhara, the authentic dua for Istikhara, and address some common misconceptions about it in our society.
What is Istikhara
The word Istikhara (الاستخارة) literally means “to seek goodness” — to ask Allah to choose what is best for you. In Islam, Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), through which a believer seeks Allah’s guidance in important life decisions.
Istikhara is simply a dua, a heartfelt prayer. Its purpose is to place your matters in Allah’s hands, trusting that He will guide you toward what is best. If something is good for you, Allah will ease your path toward it. And if it is not beneficial for you, He will turn it away and guide you to something better.
The true purpose of Istikhara is to ask Allah to guide your heart toward the right choice. When Allah guides you, He grants you clarity, comfort, and inner peace regarding the decision.
When You Should Perform Istikhara
Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the method of performing Istikhara, seeking Allah’s guidance in any matter, just as he taught us the chapters of the Qur’an.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If any one of you is deliberating about a matter, let him pray two rak‘ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones and then say the Istikhara Dua.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1162)
Therefore, Istikhara can be performed for any matter — big or small — as a way of seeking Allah’s help and blessings in all aspects of life. Although people commonly perform Istikhara for major life choices, such as Marriage proposals or spouse selection, Career or business decisions, Buying or selling property.
However, this prayer can be offered for any decision or matter. For example, choosing a school, deciding on a new hobby, or even picking a gift for someone.
How to Perform Istikhara
Performing Istikhara, as shown by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is easy and simple, but it demands heartfelt sincerity and attention. Here’s the proper way to pray Istikhara:
Step 1: Make Wudu (Ablution)
Before performing Istikhara, ensure you are in a state of physical and spiritual purity. If you are not in this state, you should perform ablution before starting Istikhara.
Step 2: Perform Two Rak‘ahs
Make the intention in your heart, and then perform the two rak‘ahs of voluntary (non-obligatory) prayer.
Step 3: Recite the Dua of Istikhara
After completing the two rak‘ahs, recite the dua for Istikhara taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to his companions. After reciting the dua, clearly mention the specific matter or need for which you are performing Istikhara.
Step 4: Trust Allah and Observe Signs
After performing Istikhara, you should pay attention to your inner feelings. This inner sense is a way Allah guides you toward what is best. It is important to trust Allah’s guidance and then proceed with your decision confidently
Dua For Istikhara
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the following Dua for Istikhara
Arabic :
إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ 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 ـ أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ ـ قَالَ ـ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azheem, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lam, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri (aw fi ‘ajili amri wa ajilihi) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri (aw fi ‘ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdur li al-khayra haythu kana thumma ardhini — Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1162)
Meaning:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor, for You have power and I do not, and You know, and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs (or in the near and distant future), then decree it for me, make it easy 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 affairs (or in the near and distant future), then turn it away from me, turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) added that then the person should name (mention) his need.
Understanding the Signs of Istikhara
Feeling Peace or Ease
If a decision feels right and your heart is at peace after Istikhara, it’s likely a positive sign.
Feeling Hesitation or Distress
If a choice continues to make you anxious or uneasy, it might indicate it’s not the best path.
Life Circumstances
Allah often guides us through circumstances. Doors opening or closing, or obstacles appearing, may be subtle hints toward what is best.
What if You Still Feel Confused?
Sometimes, despite performing Istikhara, you may feel uncertain. That’s okay. Keep making Dua, consult knowledgeable people if needed, and observe how circumstances unfold. Trust that Allah knows what’s best for you.
Misconceptions and Myths about Istikhara
Myth 1: Istikhara Always Shows a Dream
Many people mistakenly believe that performing Istikhara requires receiving a clear dream that shows the outcome. Some even think that colors, objects, or symbols appearing in a dream indicate the correct choice. However, this is not true—dreams are not a part of Istikhara.
No authentic Hadith links specific dreams, colors, or objects to Istikhara results. True guidance from Allah usually shows itself through a sense of ease in making a decision, inner peace, or obstacles that prevent you from pursuing what is not right, not through dreams or visions.
Myth 2: Someone Else Can Perform Istikhara for You
A common misconception is that some people ask a family member, friend, or religious scholar to perform Istikhara on their behalf for better guidance. This is not correct. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that each person should perform Istikhara themselves, so they can directly seek Allah’s guidance for their own matters.
While others can offer advice or share their opinions, they cannot decide for you or claim to receive divine guidance on your behalf. Therefore, it is always best to perform Istikhara yourself and place your full trust in Allah’s guidance.
Myth 3: Istikhara Gives Immediate Answers
Some people expect immediate clarity or visible signs right after performing Istikhara. In reality, Allah may guide you gradually through changing circumstances, inner feelings, or shifts in your situation. All you need to do is pray, make Dua, and place your matter in Allah’s hands. He will guide you toward what is best for you. Patience, trust, and careful observation are key parts of this process.
Conclusion
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah that allows us to seek Allah’s guidance in all matters, big or small. By performing Salatul Istikhara, reciting the authentic dua of Istikhara, trusting Allah, and being patient, we can make decisions with clarity and inner peace. Remember, Istikhara is about seeking Allah’s guidance, not relying on dreams or others’ opinions, and with faith, He will always guide us to what is best.