Source:
Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 558
The Correct Method of Performing Istikhārah – A Complete Explanation
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Istikhārah means seeking goodness and betterment from Allah Almighty in an important matter. When a person is unable to decide between two possibilities—good or bad—the Sharīʿah has prescribed Istikhārah so that he may seek Allah’s guidance in that affair.
◈ The Sunnah Method of Istikhārah
① When a person faces an important decision and is unable to determine what to do, the prescribed Sunnah method is as follows:
② Perform two rakʿahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer at a suitable time, avoiding the disliked times of prayer.
③ After completing the prayer, recite the Masnūn supplication (duʿā) of Istikhārah.
④ This duʿā may be recited either:
- Before salām, after reciting durūd sharīf, or
- After salām, either with raised hands or without raising them.
⑤ If the duʿā is recited after salām, it is preferable and more blessed to begin with durūd sharīf.
⑥ In the duʿā, where the phrase “إِنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ (this matter)” occurs, one should mention specifically the matter for which the Istikhārah is being performed.
◈ Repetition of Istikhārah
① Istikhārah should be repeated until the heart feels content and inclined toward one of the two options.
② It is narrated that ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Zubayr رضي الله عنهما performed Istikhārah for three days regarding the rebuilding of the Kaʿbah.
◈ Common Misconception Regarding Dreams
① To the best of my limited knowledge, no authentic ḥadīth indicates that seeing a dream is necessary after Istikhārah or that guidance must come through a dream.
② Some people believe that one should sleep after Istikhārah so that guidance may come through a dream—
➡ This is merely their personal opinion, and there is no mention of this in any authentic ḥadīth.
③ The inclination or satisfaction of the heart may occur while awake:
- It may be that the heart develops a desire toward the matter.
- Or it may be that a feeling of aversion and dislike arises for it.
④ Both of these states should be understood as a form of guidance from Allah Almighty and the result of Istikhārah.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
