❀ Method of Salat al-Istikharah: Prophetic Guidance for Decision Making ❀
✦ Authored by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ The Teaching of Istikharah by the Prophet ﷺ
Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us Istikharah (seeking Allah’s guidance) in all matters just as he taught us a chapter from the Qur’an. He ﷺ would say:
“إذا هم أحدكم بالأمر فليركع ركعتين من غير الفريضة ثم ليقل…”
“When any of you is concerned about a matter, let him perform two rak‘ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, then say…”
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ… (Arabic text continues unchanged as per guidelines)
[Bukhari: 1162, 6382; Book of Supplications: Chapter on Supplication in Istikharah; Abu Dawood: 1538; Tirmidhi: 480; Nasai: 6/80; Ibn Majah: 1383; Ibn Hibban: 887; Bayhaqi: 3/52]
❖ Scholarly Commentary on the Legitimacy of Istikharah
✔ Imam Shawkani (رحمه الله):
There is no known disagreement regarding the legitimacy of offering the prayer of Istikharah and reciting the prescribed supplication afterward.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/298]
✔ Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله):
When a person performs Istikharah, he should proceed with the course of action towards which his heart feels at ease.
[Al-Adhkar by Nawawi: p.152]
If no such clarity is achieved, then the individual should proceed with whatever path becomes practically facilitated.
✔ Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله):
The prayer and supplication of Istikharah described in the Hadith is recommended only in those worldly matters where the correct path is unclear.
As for well-established righteous deeds like acts of worship, there is no need for Istikharah in such cases.
[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi: 2/605]
✔ Imam Shawkani (رحمه الله):
The words “من غير الفريضة“ (other than obligatory prayer) indicate that if someone recites the Istikharah supplication after any other prayer, such as Sunnah Rawatib, Tahiyyat al-Masjid, or any voluntary prayer not specifically intended for Istikharah, then the Sunnah of Istikharah will not be fulfilled.
A separate two rak‘ahs must be offered with the sole intention of Istikharah.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/297]
❖ Istikharah is Not Exclusive to Certain Saints
❌ The assumption that Istikharah is only beneficial if done by certain pious elders or saints, or the belief that it must be followed by a dream during sleep, is nothing but unwarranted exaggeration and rigidity in religion.
Neither Allah nor the Messenger ﷺ has instructed this, nor does any authentic Sunnah support such views.
✔ A Muslim should personally turn to Allah in all his matters and perform Istikharah.
Surely, Allah will guide him.
The modern trend of seeking Istikharah from others, especially claiming it as a specialized service of select individuals, is completely baseless and should be avoided entirely.
[Al-Qawl al-Mubeen fi Akhta’ al-Musalleen: p. 394; Al-Madkhal: 3/90; Ad-Deen al-Khalis: 5/245]
◈ Common Questions About Istikharah
❖ Should Istikharah be repeated if no clarity is achieved?
There is no authentic Hadith reported that instructs repeating the Istikharah prayer if one remains undecided after the first instance.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/297]
❖ Is it permissible to offer Istikharah as a service or profession?
Absolutely not.
Istikharah is a personal act of devotion legislated for every individual to seek guidance from their Lord—it is not a professional or commercial practice.
