How to Perform the Istikhara Prayer

Istikhara is a powerful prayer and supplication that Muslims make when seeking guidance on major life decisions, such as marriage, moving, or starting a new job. Performing Istikhara demonstrates our total dependence on and trust in Allah’s perfect plan for our lives. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to properly perform the Istikhara prayer according to the Sunnah.

When to Make Istikhara

Istikhara can be made whenever you need clear direction and wisdom from the Almighty regarding an important matter in your life. Some common situations warranting Istikhara include:

• When considering proposals for marriage or divorce

• Before relocating to a new city or country

• When deciding between job opportunities

• Prior to making major investments or financial decisions

• When unclear if a prospective course of study is right for you

• Before undertaking a long trip or important journey

• Any life choice involving uncertainty about what path is best

Performing Istikhara demonstrates our total reliance on Allah’s guidance and relieves anxiety over making the right decisions independently.

How to Perform the Istikhara Prayer

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to properly perform the two raka’at Istikhara prayer and supplication according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

1. Make wudhu to purify yourself physically and spiritually.

2. Perform two cycles (raka’at) of voluntary prayer. It can be done at any time except times when obligatory prayers are prohibited.

3. In each raka’at, recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Kafirun.

4. After completing the two raka’at and making salam, recite the supplication for Istikhara (dua).

5. Raise your hands humbly and sincerely ask Allah for guidance and the best way forward, seeking only His pleasure.

6. Have firm faith and dependence that Allah will guide you to what is best for your din and Dunya.

7. Then proceed calmly with whatever course of action comes to your heart and feels right.

8. Afterward, be patient and observe any signs Allah sends you indicating whether your decision leads to goodness or not.

The Istikhara Supplication

Here is the special supplicatory prayer to recite after completing the two raka’at for Istikhara:

“O Allah, I seek goodness from Your Knowledge, and with Your Power, I seek strength, and I ask from Your Great Bounty, for You are able to do things while I am not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [name your need] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my affairs, present and future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know this matter to be bad for my religion, my livelihood or my affairs, present and future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and make me pleased with it.”

Accepting the Outcome

Ultimately, after making Istikhara, we should accept the path that Allah chooses for us, whether we perceive it immediately as best or not. Outcomes that initially seemed difficult often later prove to have great benefits we could not foresee. Submitting our will to the Will of Allah demonstrates the essence of reliance (tawakkul) in Him alone.

For those seeking deeper knowledge of this essential prayer, reputable online institutes like eQuranekareem Online Quran Academy offer courses on the proper method and broader spiritual significance of Istikhara. Trust fully in the guidance Allah provides through Istikhara.