Salatul Istikhara: A Step-by-Step Guide

Life is full of decisions, and the believer is never left to choose alone. Salatul Istikhara is the prayer of seeking guidance, in which we ask Allah, who knows all outcomes, to choose what is best for us. The Prophet ﷺ taught it to his companions as he taught them surahs of the Quran.

When to Pray It

Pray istikhara whenever you face a permissible choice and are unsure which path to take: a marriage proposal, a job, a move, or any important matter. It is not needed for things already known to be good or forbidden.

How to Perform It

Make wudu and pray two rakahs of voluntary prayer with a sincere intention for istikhara. After completing the prayer, raise your hands and recite the dua of istikhara taught by the Prophet ﷺ.

The Dua of Istikhara

In it you say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge and Your power, for You are able and I am not, You know and I do not. If this matter is good for me in my religion, my life and my end, then decree it for me and bless it; and if it is bad for me, turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it is.

After the Prayer

Then proceed with what your heart inclines towards, trusting Allah. Istikhara is not always a dream or a sign; often it is Allah easing the good path and removing obstacles. Whatever unfolds, be content, for you asked the All-Knowing to choose for you.