In a world brimming with choices, making the right decision can often feel difficult. For many within the Muslim community, turning to divine guidance for decision making becomes essential. One such revered tradition is Istikhara. Whether you’re deciding on a life partner, contemplating a career change, or simply seeking a business counselling, Salat al Istikhara offers solace and clarity. This blog post aims to demystify Istikhara, its significance, and how to pray Istikhara and incorporate it into your decision-making process.
Istikhara Meaning
Istikhara meaning is “to seek goodness” or “to seek the best course from Allah.” When one is uncertain about the goodness or badness of a matter that will happen in the future and is hesitant about whether to do it or not, one should seek guidance from Allah in that matter. This is what is called Istikhara.
What is Istikhara Prayer
The two-unit prayer (Rak’at) performed to seek divine guidance for making a decision about doing or not doing a permissible act is called Salat al Istikhara or Istikhara prayer.
The encouragement and method of Istikhara were taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself. A companion, Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us Istikhara for all important matters just as he would teach us a Surah from the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs prayer of Istikhara and then proceeds with their task, will not fail.”
How to Perform Salat al Istikhara
First, it’s essential to know how to perform salatul Istikhara. The process involves performing two units of prayer followed by a specific dua for salat al Istikhara asking for Allah’s guidance. The ritual is simple yet powerful, emphasizing sincerity, faith, and a heart willing to accept Allah’s will. The significance of salat al Istikhara lies in its ability to connect a person with the divine, facilitating decisions that align with spiritual values and principles.
Istikhara Prayer Dua
Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) himself teach us dua for Istikhara. He (peace be upon him) used to say:
“When one of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two units of voluntary prayer, then recite the dua e istikhara as
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْتَخِیْرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَ أَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِیْمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَ لَا أَقْدِرُ، وَ تَعْلَمُ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُ، وَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُیُوْبِ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ خَیْرٌ لِّيْ فِيْ دِیْنِيْ وَ مَعَاشِيْ وَ عَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ وَ عَاجِلِهِ وَ اٰجِلِهِ، فَاقْدِرْهُ لِيْ، وَ یَسِّرْهُ لِيْ، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِيْ فِیْهِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌ لِّيْ فِيْ دِیْنِيْ وَ مَعَاشِيْ وَ عَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ وَ عَاجِلِهِ وَ اٰجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّيْ وَ اصْرِفْنِيْ عَنْهُ، وَ اقْدِرْ لِيَ الْخَیْرَ حَیْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِيْ بِهِ
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.
After this, he should present his need before Allah.” [Bukhari:1166]
When you reach هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ in the supplication, envision your need, and then proceed with the action towards which your heart inclines. If you do not feel at ease after one attempt, repeat this process for up to seven days. Insha’Allah, there will be goodness.
Who Can Perform Prayer of Istikhara
One must be in a state of purity, have a clear intention, and offer the prayer with a sincere heart. While scholars and elders often provide guidance on the specifics, the power of Istikhara lies in its simplicity and the personal connection one establishes with Allah.
Best Time for Istikhara Prayer
There is no specific time for Istikhara, but it is better to perform it at night before sleeping, when there is a peaceful environment. So after Isha prayer it is considered the best time to pray Istikhara.
Navigating the Outcomes of Istikhara
Some scholars have explained Istikhara colors meaning that if one sees white or green in a dream, it should be considered a good sign, and if one sees red or black, then the task should not be undertaken. However, seeing a dream is not necessary; one should follow the inclination of their heart after performing Istikhara.
When to Pray Istikhara?
Decisions, both big and small, can benefit from Istikhara. Common situations include choosing a spouse, selecting a career path, deciding on business ventures, or even making everyday choices. For instance, a young professional contemplating a job offer in a different city might turn to Istikhara for guidance. Similarly, a person considering marriage might use Istikhara to seek Allah’s blessing and approval.
Misconceptions about Istikhara
This is the Sunnah method of Istikhara, and other methods that are common among people have no religious standing. There are misconceptions about salat al Istikhara:
Seeing a Dream after Istikhara
The main thing after Istikhara is the inclination of the heart; seeing a dream is not necessary. One should consider the direction towards which their heart inclines as the best course of action. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
“O Anas, when you intend to undertake a task, perform Istikhara with your Lord seven times, then observe the inclination of your heart, for therein lies goodness.” [Shami: 2/409-410, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi]
In Case of Failure after Istikahra
In the case of success after Istikhara, it is clear that there is goodness. However, in the apparent case of failure, there is still goodness because, in the long run, it brings benefit to the person. Allah may provide a substitute in this world, or the person may be rewarded for their patience in the Hereafter. If the task does not happen or gets delayed after Istikhara, one should understand that there is godness in its non-occurrence or delay. This is the essence and reality of Istikhara.
The confusion mentioned in your question will be resolved. If your task does not happen or gets delayed after Istikhara, consider it to be for the best and continue this Sunnah practice. (Derived from: Shami: 2/409-410)
Choosing Someone Else to Perform Istikhara
The practice of having someone else perform Istikhara for you is not prescribed. Performing Istikhara oneself is a Sunnah practice, and having someone else do it is not part of the Sunnah. The blessings that come from performing Istikhara oneself are not obtained by having someone else do it. Additionally, the supplication used in Istikhara is personalized, and it is meant to be recited by the individual seeking guidance. Therefore, it is clear that Istikhara should be performed by oneself and not by someone else.
Conclusion
Salat al Istikhara stands as a powerful tool for decision-making, deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. By incorporating this practice into your life, you can seek divine guidance about how to perform Istikhara and find clarity amidst life’s complexities. Encourage regular practice and remain open to the wisdom and guidance that comes from seeking Allah’s will. For those looking to explore further, consider reaching out to knowledgeable sources or engaging in community discussions to deepen your understanding and practice of Istikhara.