This article is derived from the book "Salah Mustafa ﷺ" authored by the esteemed Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the way of performing Istikhara in all matters just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur'an. He ﷺ said:
"When one of you intends to undertake a matter, he should offer two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say the following Du'a:"
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك واستقدرك بقدرتك واستلك من فضلك العظيم فإنك تقدر ولا اقدر وتعلم ولا اعلم وأنت علام الغيوب . اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خيرا لي فى ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمرى فاقدره لي ويسره لى بارك لى فيه وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لى فى ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمرك فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه واقدرلي الخير حيث كان ثم ارضني به
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Supplications, Chapter on Du'a for Istikhara, Hadith no. 6382)
Meaning:
"O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek strength from Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You have power, and I have none. You know, and I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, facilitate it for me, and bless me in it.
And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it."
When saying "هذا الأمر" (this matter) in the Du'a, it is recommended to mention the specific need (for example, "this business," "this knowledge," etc.).
➤ Note:
After performing Istikhara, a person should re-evaluate the matter and choose the option towards which he feels his heart is opened or which seems easier. InshaAllah, there will be goodness and blessings in it.
✿ Salat al-Istikhara (The Prayer of Seeking Guidance)
When a Muslim is unsure about important worldly matters such as business, marriage, job opportunities, or academic decisions, and cannot determine the best course of action, it is prescribed to perform two Rak'ahs of voluntary prayer and then recite a specific supplication. This is called Salat al-Istikhara.Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the way of performing Istikhara in all matters just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur'an. He ﷺ said:
"When one of you intends to undertake a matter, he should offer two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say the following Du'a:"
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك واستقدرك بقدرتك واستلك من فضلك العظيم فإنك تقدر ولا اقدر وتعلم ولا اعلم وأنت علام الغيوب . اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خيرا لي فى ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمرى فاقدره لي ويسره لى بارك لى فيه وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لى فى ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمرك فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه واقدرلي الخير حيث كان ثم ارضني به
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Supplications, Chapter on Du'a for Istikhara, Hadith no. 6382)
Meaning:
"O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek strength from Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You have power, and I have none. You know, and I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, facilitate it for me, and bless me in it.
And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it."
✿ Important Points
➤ Substitution in Du'a:When saying "هذا الأمر" (this matter) in the Du'a, it is recommended to mention the specific need (for example, "this business," "this knowledge," etc.).
➤ Note:
After performing Istikhara, a person should re-evaluate the matter and choose the option towards which he feels his heart is opened or which seems easier. InshaAllah, there will be goodness and blessings in it.
