Istikhara is a form of prayer in Islam that seeks guidance from Allah when making an important decision. It is often performed when someone is uncertain about a choice they need to make. The process involves seeking Allah’s guidance through prayer and seeking His blessings on the matter at hand. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform Istikhara:
Sincerity:
Approach the decision with sincerity and an open heart. Have the intention to seek Allah’s guidance and submit to His will, whatever the outcome may be.
Perform Wudu:
Before making Istikhara, perform ablution (Wudu) to ensure you are in a state of cleanliness for prayer.
Optional Two Rak’ahs:
You can begin by offering two voluntary Rak’ahs (units of prayer) as a way to seek Allah’s blessings and to focus your mind on the matter at hand.
Recite Istikhara Dua:
After the two Rak’ahs (or without them if you choose not to perform them), recite the Istikhara dua. The dua is as follows:
Transliteration: “Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ilmika wa astaqdiruka biqudratika wa asaluka min fadlika al-‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-l-amra khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) faqdirhu li 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 ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) fasrifhu ‘anni wa-srifni ‘anhu. Waqdir liya al-khaira haithu kana thumma ardini bihi.”
Translation: “O Allah, I seek Your counsel through Your knowledge, and I seek Your assistance through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor, for indeed, You have the ability, while I do not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my life in the Hereafter (or he said, ‘for my present and future’), then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my life in the Hereafter (or he said, ‘for my present and future’), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And decree for me what is good, whatever it may be, and make me content with it.”
Be Patient and Watchful:
After reciting the dua, have trust in Allah’s wisdom and be patient. Keep an eye on events, circumstances, and your feelings following the Istikhara. Allah may guide you through signs, feelings, or other means.
Repeat if Necessary:
- If you do not receive a clear answer or guidance after the first Istikhara, you can repeat the process on subsequent days while keeping the matter in mind.
Remember that Istikhara is not a magic solution to predict the future, but rather a way to seek Allah’s guidance and blessings. Trust in His wisdom and make your decision based on what you feel is best after seeking His guidance.