What is the Importance of Salāh al-Istikhārah (The Prayer of Seeking Guidance)?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
What is the importance of Salāh al-Istikhārah?
Every matter in life carries two possible outcomes — good (khayr) and harm (sharr). However, it is not within human capacity to extract benefit or avoid harm from any given action with certainty. Only Allah possesses the power to bestow goodness and avert harm.
Istikhārah is essentially an act of total submission to Allah, a declaration of reliance:
“O Allah! I am about to proceed with this task — You are my guardian. Bestow goodness in it for me.”
It is often the case that an action appears outwardly beneficial, but in reality, it contains no good — or it brings along hidden harms. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to perform istikhārah before every important decision, so that the task is undertaken under the protection and guidance of Allah. This way, harm is removed, and life becomes filled with blessings and contentment.
فيه استحباب صلاة الإستخارة لمن هم بأمر سواء كان ذلك الأمر ظاهر الخير أم لا.
“It is recommended to perform Salāh al-Istikhārah for anyone who intends to carry out an affair — whether the matter appears to be good or not.”
(Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 5/144)
✔ Istikhārah is not only for doubtful matters — it is encouraged even when something appears good.
✔ It reflects a Muslim’s trust in Allah’s knowledge and will.
✔ It ensures that actions are undertaken with divine guidance and protection.
✔ It helps prevent regret, as the believer has already placed the matter in Allah’s care.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
❖ Question:
What is the importance of Salāh al-Istikhārah?
✿ Answer:
Every matter in life carries two possible outcomes — good (khayr) and harm (sharr). However, it is not within human capacity to extract benefit or avoid harm from any given action with certainty. Only Allah possesses the power to bestow goodness and avert harm.
Istikhārah is essentially an act of total submission to Allah, a declaration of reliance:
“O Allah! I am about to proceed with this task — You are my guardian. Bestow goodness in it for me.”
It is often the case that an action appears outwardly beneficial, but in reality, it contains no good — or it brings along hidden harms. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to perform istikhārah before every important decision, so that the task is undertaken under the protection and guidance of Allah. This way, harm is removed, and life becomes filled with blessings and contentment.
❀ Ḥāfiẓ al-Nawawī رحمه الله (d. 676 AH) wrote:
فيه استحباب صلاة الإستخارة لمن هم بأمر سواء كان ذلك الأمر ظاهر الخير أم لا.
“It is recommended to perform Salāh al-Istikhārah for anyone who intends to carry out an affair — whether the matter appears to be good or not.”
(Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 5/144)
Key Takeaways:
✔ Istikhārah is not only for doubtful matters — it is encouraged even when something appears good.
✔ It reflects a Muslim’s trust in Allah’s knowledge and will.
✔ It ensures that actions are undertaken with divine guidance and protection.
✔ It helps prevent regret, as the believer has already placed the matter in Allah’s care.
