Sunnah Method of Salat al-Istikhara and 5 Key Guidelines
When a person faces a permissible matter and is uncertain whether to proceed or not — or has firmly decided to do something — it is Sunnah to perform Salat al-Istikhara.
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication of Istikhara in all matters just as he would teach us a surah from the Qur’an."
He ﷺ said:
"When one of you intends to undertake a matter, let him pray two units of voluntary prayer and then say:"
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ ... (complete Arabic du‘a as narrated)
Translation:
"O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your knowledge, and I seek strength from Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For You have power and I have none; You know and I do not; and You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter here) is good for my religion, my worldly life, and the end of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for my religion, my worldly life, and the end of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, then make me content with it."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Then let him mention his need."
(Bukhari 1162)
Istikhara may be performed at any time during the day or night, except during the prohibited times for prayer (i.e., sunrise, sunset, and when the sun is at its zenith).
Istikhara should be performed by the individual himself. Asking someone else to do Istikhara on one’s behalf is against the Sunnah.
Some people expect a dream or supernatural sign after Istikhara — this is a misunderstanding and resembles the practice of soothsayers and fortune tellers.
❀ It is not necessary to perform Istikhara only before sleeping.
❀ It is not necessary to see a dream or receive a clear sign afterward.
Summary: Istikhara is a simple yet powerful Sunnah. Perform it yourself, with full trust in Allah, and act upon the outcome with reliance on Him.
Importance and Ruling of Istikhara
When a person faces a permissible matter and is uncertain whether to proceed or not — or has firmly decided to do something — it is Sunnah to perform Salat al-Istikhara.
Teaching of the Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication of Istikhara in all matters just as he would teach us a surah from the Qur’an."
He ﷺ said:
"When one of you intends to undertake a matter, let him pray two units of voluntary prayer and then say:"
Du‘a of Istikhara
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ ... (complete Arabic du‘a as narrated)
Translation:
"O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your knowledge, and I seek strength from Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For You have power and I have none; You know and I do not; and You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter here) is good for my religion, my worldly life, and the end of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for my religion, my worldly life, and the end of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, then make me content with it."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Then let him mention his need."
(Bukhari 1162)
Timing of Istikhara
Istikhara may be performed at any time during the day or night, except during the prohibited times for prayer (i.e., sunrise, sunset, and when the sun is at its zenith).
Correct Method
Istikhara should be performed by the individual himself. Asking someone else to do Istikhara on one’s behalf is against the Sunnah.
Some people expect a dream or supernatural sign after Istikhara — this is a misunderstanding and resembles the practice of soothsayers and fortune tellers.
Common Misconceptions
❀ It is not necessary to perform Istikhara only before sleeping.
❀ It is not necessary to see a dream or receive a clear sign afterward.
What to Do After Istikhara
- Allah opens the person’s heart toward what is best.
- If further clarity is needed, one may consult a righteous and trustworthy person.
- Whatever decision is taken afterward, Allah will bring goodness in it, in shā’ Allāh.
Summary: Istikhara is a simple yet powerful Sunnah. Perform it yourself, with full trust in Allah, and act upon the outcome with reliance on Him.
