Istikhara Prayer Guide
Seek Allah's guidance for your important life decisions through authentic Islamic prayer
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ
"And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near" - Quran 2:186
What type of decision are you seeking guidance for?
Complete Guide to Salat al-Istikhara
Make Wudu (Ablution)
Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity
Perform complete ablution as prescribed in Islamic law
Pray 2 Rak'ah Nafil
Perform two units of voluntary prayer
This should be done with full concentration and humility
Recite Istikhara Du'a
Make the authentic supplication for guidance
Use the exact du'a taught by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
Trust Allah's Wisdom
Surrender the matter to Allah and observe
Be open to guidance through feelings, circumstances, and advice
Authentic Istikhara Du'a
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ
وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Understanding Allah's Guidance
Positive Signs
- • Feeling at peace with the decision
- • Doors opening and obstacles removing
- • Receiving good advice from righteous people
- • Increased barakah in the matter
- • Feeling guided towards the decision
Negative Signs
- • Persistent unease about the matter
- • Continuous obstacles and difficulties
- • Loss of interest or motivation
- • Wise people advising against it
- • Feeling repelled from the decision
Important: The response to Istikhara comes through your feelings, circumstances, and the advice of righteous people - not through dreams or supernatural signs.
When to Repeat Istikhara
Still Uncertain
If you don't feel clear guidance after the first prayer, you may repeat up to 7 times
Different Times
Perform at different times of day when you feel most spiritually connected
Seek Counsel
Combine with Istishara (consultation) with knowledgeable and righteous Muslims