Istikhara: A Muslim’s Guide to Making Decisions with Confidence
Discover the Islamic practice of istikhara and how it can bring peace of mind and clarity to your decision-making process.
Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah.
Decisions, decisions… in life we constantly make decisions. Despite our careful consideration of all scenarios, we often can’t be certain if the course of action we’re taking is indeed the best and most beneficial for us in this life and the Hereafter. Fortunately, Islam provides a tool to alleviate our uncertainty – istikharah, or a prayer for guidance, which the Prophet ﷺ (blessings and peace be upon him) encouraged his Companions to make in all matters. It’s worth noting that istikharah is not intended to help you choose between two or more options, but rather it’s a way to ask Allah to guide us towards the best outcome following our decision. This is important! As with everything in Islam, we must take action and implement means to achieve the desired output, and then rely on Allah – so simply thinking about what’s best isn’t enough; we need to decide and follow through with the appropriate steps. So, how do you pray istikhara? When concerned about a decision you’re about to make, pray two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer, and just before the tasleem (concluding your prayer with “Salaam aleykum”), say:
Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa asaluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa anta ‘allam al-ghuyoob. Allahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu hadhal-amra (* here you should mention the matter by name) khayran li fi ‘ajil amri wa ajilihi faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifni ‘anhu, wasrifhu ‘anni waqdur li al-khayr haythu kana thumma raddini bihi.
That means:
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (* here you mention it by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs ), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, then turn me away from it, and turn it away from me, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.
After this, proceed with your plan, trusting that Allah will either open or block its door for you. Don’t wait for a sign, a dream, or a feeling; instead, take action and trust in Allah that He will make it easy or put obstacles and difficulties in your way.
Allah is Al-Haadi (the Guide), and He is the best of planners.
References:
Reported by al-Bukhari, 6841; similar reports are also recorded by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasai, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Ahmad