How to Pray Salat al Istikhara

Need help making a decision?

New job? Marriage? Traveling? Career path? Buying a car, house? College major?

Whichever course of action or difficult decision you need to make, Allah SWT is the only One who truly knows what is best for us. For this reason, we turn to Him and consult Him to guide us to the best path.

How to perform Salat al Istikhara (decision making prayer)

✔️Pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer

✔️After prayer is finished then recite the Dua

*Dua can also be made after last tashahud and before the tasleem

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Surahs of the Qur’an. He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two rak`at prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): —

Allahumma inni Astakhiruka Bi Ilmika Wa Astaqdiruka Biqudratika Wa As’aluka Min Fadlikal-Azim, Fa Innaka Taqdiru Walā Aqdiru Wa Ta’lamu Wala A’lamu Wa Anta Allamul Ghuyab. Allahumma in Kunta Ta’lamu Anna Hadhal Amra (Mention The Thing Here) Khayrun Li Fi Dini Wa Ma-Ashi Wa Aqibati Amri Faqdir-Hu Li Wa Yassir-Hu Li Thumma Barik Li Fihi Wa In Kunta Ta’lamu Anna Hadhal Amra Sharun Li Fi Dini Wa Maashi Wa Aqibati Amri Fasrifhu Anni Wasrifni Anhu Waqdir Liyal-Khayra Haythu Kana Thumma Ardini Bih

O Allah, I consult You as You are All-Knowing and I appeal to You to give me power as You are Omnipotent, I ask You for Your great favor, for You have power and I do not, and You know all of the hidden matters and I do not. O Allah! If you know that this matter (mention the thing here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my life in the Hereafter, then make it (easy) for me. And if you know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my life in the Hereafter, then keep it away from me and take me away from it and choose what is good for me wherever it is and please me with it.

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 كُنْت

Note: When praying Istikhara, one must not have his mind already set at a certain decision. He can first take the means of seeking guidance and advice from others then pray Istikhara and ask Allah whether this affair is good for him or not.

One should then proceed in this regards and if the path is hindered by obstacles and difficult to continue, this is a sign that it is not to your best interest. If the path is easy and everything is falling into place smoothly, then this is a great indicator that this decision will be to your best interest.