In Islam, Istikhara is a special form of prayer that a Muslim performs to seek guidance from Allah when faced with a significant decision. Whether it is about choosing a life partner, making a career move, or any other important life choice, Istikhara allows the believer to turn to Allah for clarity and confidence in their decision-making process. Istikhara not only reflects a Muslim's trust in Allah but also highlights the importance of placing complete reliance on His wisdom and knowledge.
This article explores the concept of Istikhara, how it is performed, its significance, and what one should expect after performing it.
1. The Meaning of Istikhara
The word Istikhara comes from the Arabic root word خ-ي-ر (khayr), which means "goodness" or "what is best." Istikhara literally means "seeking the best from Allah" or "asking Allah for what is good." It is a way for a Muslim to seek divine guidance in choosing the most beneficial course of action in matters that are unclear or uncertain.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers how to perform Istikhara as a means of finding peace and confidence in their decisions, knowing that Allah’s guidance will always lead to what is best for the believer.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two units of prayer other than the obligatory prayer and then say:
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great favor. For indeed, You are able while I am not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know this affair [mention the affair here] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know this affair is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter, 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.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
2. When to Perform Istikhara
Istikhara should be performed when faced with an important decision where the best course of action is unclear. It is not limited to spiritual or religious matters; it can be applied to any decision that significantly impacts one’s life, such as:
Choosing a spouse
Deciding on a career path
Moving to a new location
Pursuing a business opportunity
Making major financial investments
Istikhara should only be performed for decisions that are permissible in Islam. It is not necessary for routine decisions or matters that are already clear according to Islamic guidance (e.g., fulfilling religious obligations like Salah or fasting).
3. How to Perform Istikhara
Performing Istikhara is a simple and straightforward process. It involves offering a specific dua (supplication) during or after performing a voluntary prayer of two rak'ahs (units) other than the obligatory prayers.
Here are the steps to perform Istikhara:
Step 1: Perform Wudu (Ablution)
Before any prayer, including Istikhara, one must be in a state of ritual purity by performing wudu.
Step 2: Pray Two Rak'ahs (Units) of Voluntary Prayer
Offer two units of voluntary prayer with the intention of seeking Allah’s guidance. These two units should be performed sincerely for the purpose of Istikhara, and they can be prayed at any time, though it is preferable to avoid times when prayer is discouraged (such as after Fajr or Asr).
Step 3: Recite the Istikhara Dua
After completing the prayer, recite the specific Istikhara dua that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught. The dua can be said in Arabic, or if one is not fluent in Arabic, they can make the dua in their own language with the same meaning. Here is the Istikhara dua in Arabic and English:
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك، وأستقدرك بقدرتك، وأسألك من فضلك العظيم، فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر، وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علام الغيوب. اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري، أو قال عاجل أمري وآجله، فاقدره لي ويسره لي ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري، أو قال في عاجل أمري وآجله، فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان، ثم رضني.
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great favor. For indeed, You are able while I am not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this affair [mention the affair here] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know this affair is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter, 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.”
While reciting the dua, when you reach the part “هذا الأمر (this affair)”, you should think about the specific decision or matter for which you are seeking guidance.
Step 4: Trust Allah’s Plan
After making the dua, trust in Allah’s wisdom and await clarity or ease regarding the matter. It’s important to have faith that Allah will guide you to what is best, even if the outcome is not what you initially desired.
4. What to Expect After Istikhara
After performing Istikhara, you may not always receive a clear or immediate sign or dream that tells you what to do. Instead, you may notice:
A sense of peace and clarity: If you feel an increasing sense of peace and confidence about the decision, this can be an indication that the choice is favorable for you.
Things becoming easy or difficult: If Allah makes the path toward the decision easy and smooth, this is often seen as a sign that it is the right choice. Conversely, if obstacles and difficulties arise, this could be a sign that the decision is not in your best interest.
Contentment with the outcome: After performing Istikhara, you should trust that whatever the outcome is, it is Allah’s decree, and it will be good for you in the long term. You may not understand the wisdom behind it immediately, but it is essential to have faith in Allah’s plan.
It is important to note that Istikhara is a way of asking for guidance, but it does not replace personal effort, reflection, or seeking advice from knowledgeable and trustworthy individuals. Istikhara is meant to complement the decision-making process, not replace it.
5. The Spiritual Significance of Istikhara
Istikhara reflects a Muslim’s deep trust and reliance on Allah. It is an acknowledgment that humans have limited knowledge and understanding, whereas Allah is All-Knowing and All-Wise. By seeking Allah’s guidance through Istikhara, a believer demonstrates their humility and submission to Allah’s will, trusting that whatever decision is made, it will ultimately be for their benefit.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged his companions to seek guidance from Allah in all significant matters:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach his companions to make Istikhara in all things, just as he used to teach them Surahs from the Quran.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This hadith illustrates the importance of Istikhara in the life of a Muslim. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of the situation, we should always turn to Allah for guidance, seeking His help and wisdom in making the best decision.
6. Common Misconceptions about Istikhara
There are several misconceptions about Istikhara that should be clarified:
Istikhara is not about seeing a dream: Many people believe that after making Istikhara, they will receive a dream that will give them a clear answer. While it is possible to have a dream, it is not necessary or required. Istikhara is more about receiving clarity, ease, or a sense of peace regarding a decision.
Istikhara is not only for marriage: Although Istikhara is often performed for marriage-related decisions, it can be done for any significant decision in life, including career, family, health, and business.
Istikhara is not a way to predict the future: Istikhara is a means of seeking Allah’s guidance based on what is best for the present and future, but it does not predict specific outcomes. It is about trusting in Allah’s wisdom, not seeking foreknowledge.
Conclusion
Istikhara is a beautiful and empowering prayer that allows Muslims to seek Allah’s guidance in important matters. It reflects a deep sense of trust and reliance on Allah, recognizing that He knows what is best for us, even when we do not. By performing Istikhara, Muslims can make decisions with confidence and clarity, knowing that they have turned to the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom. Through Istikhara, we learn to submit to Allah’s plan, trust in His decree, and find contentment in whatever outcome He chooses for us.