Written by: Ash-Shaykh Mubashshir Ahmad Rabbani (ḥafiẓahullāh)
What is the correct method of performing Istikhārah, and is it permissible to ask someone else to perform it on one's behalf?
When a person intends to carry out a permissible (ḥalāl) task, it is Sunnah to perform Istikhārah at such a time.
One should offer two rakʿāt of optional (nafl) prayer, and after completing the prayer, the following duʿāʾ should be recited:
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك وأستقدرك بقدرتك وأسألك من فضلك العظيم، فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر، وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علام الغيوب، اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فاقدره لي ويسره لي ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان ثم رضني به
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tahajjud: Chapter on Praying Two by Two, 1162]
This Istikhārah can be performed at any time during the day or night.
In modern times, some individuals have commercialized Istikhārah, turning it into a business. This practice has become widespread like an epidemic, with centers established solely for offering Istikhārah services, which contradicts the Sunnah.
In reality, the recommended (masnūn) way is that a person should perform Istikhārah himself. There is no evidence from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) indicating that they ever asked someone else to perform Istikhārah on their behalf.
Many people have now formed the belief that:
"If I ask a particular elder to perform Istikhārah for me, he will see a dream and give me a definite answer which I can act upon."
This is a baseless notion. In reality, if a needy person turns to Allah alone for guidance, then Allah will open his heart and guide him in one direction by making the matter easy or inclining his heart toward it.
Along with Istikhārah, one should also seek advice from righteous individuals when making important decisions.
✔ It should be performed by the person himself, not delegated to someone else
✔ The duʿāʾ should be offered after two rakʿāt of optional prayer
✔ Istikhārah centers and asking others to see dreams are not from the Sunnah
✔ One should also consult righteous advisors along with making Istikhārah
❖ Question:
What is the correct method of performing Istikhārah, and is it permissible to ask someone else to perform it on one's behalf?
❖ Answer:
When a person intends to carry out a permissible (ḥalāl) task, it is Sunnah to perform Istikhārah at such a time.
❖ Method of Performing Istikhārah:
One should offer two rakʿāt of optional (nafl) prayer, and after completing the prayer, the following duʿāʾ should be recited:
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك وأستقدرك بقدرتك وأسألك من فضلك العظيم، فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر، وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علام الغيوب، اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فاقدره لي ويسره لي ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان ثم رضني به
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tahajjud: Chapter on Praying Two by Two, 1162]
This Istikhārah can be performed at any time during the day or night.
❖ Warning Against Innovations in Istikhārah:
In modern times, some individuals have commercialized Istikhārah, turning it into a business. This practice has become widespread like an epidemic, with centers established solely for offering Istikhārah services, which contradicts the Sunnah.
In reality, the recommended (masnūn) way is that a person should perform Istikhārah himself. There is no evidence from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) indicating that they ever asked someone else to perform Istikhārah on their behalf.
❖ Common Misconceptions Refuted:
Many people have now formed the belief that:
"If I ask a particular elder to perform Istikhārah for me, he will see a dream and give me a definite answer which I can act upon."
This is a baseless notion. In reality, if a needy person turns to Allah alone for guidance, then Allah will open his heart and guide him in one direction by making the matter easy or inclining his heart toward it.
Along with Istikhārah, one should also seek advice from righteous individuals when making important decisions.
❖ Summary:
✔ Istikhārah is Sunnah for any permissible action✔ It should be performed by the person himself, not delegated to someone else
✔ The duʿāʾ should be offered after two rakʿāt of optional prayer
✔ Istikhārah centers and asking others to see dreams are not from the Sunnah
✔ One should also consult righteous advisors along with making Istikhārah
