How to Perform Istikharah Step by Step According to Sunnah

 The word Istikharah comes from the Arabic root خَيْر (khayr), meaning goodness or that which is best. Performing Istikharah means to seek the goodness and guidance of Allah before making a decision.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

عَنْ جَابِرٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا، كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ القُرْآنِ
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us to make Istikharah in all matters just as he used to teach us a Surah from the Qur’an.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1162)

This shows the importance of Istikharah in every part of a Muslim’s life — not only for big decisions but even for smaller ones.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform Istikharah According to Sunnah

Performing Istikharah is simple and can be done by anyone at any time (except during the prohibited prayer times). Here’s how to do it properly, following the Sunnah:

Step 1: Make Wudu (Ablution)

Begin by performing wudu (ablution) as you would for any prayer. Cleanliness is essential for any act of worship.

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Step 2: Pray Two Rak‘ahs of Voluntary Salah

Offer two rak‘ahs of non-obligatory prayer (nafl), with the intention of performing Salat al-Istikharah.

• In the first rak‘ah, you can recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Kafirun (109).

• In the second rak‘ah, recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas (112).

(This is based on the practice of many scholars, though you may recite any Surahs you know.)

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Step 3: Recite the Dua of Istikharah

After completing the two rak‘ahs, raise your hands in supplication and recite the Dua of Istikharah as taught by the Prophet ﷺ.

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🤲 Dua of Istikharah in Arabic

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (mention your matter) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.

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🌸 English Translation of the Istikharah Dua

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power and I do not have power; You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen.

O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your decision) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.

But 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 decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1162)

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🕋 Step 4: Mention Your Matter

When reciting “هَذَا الأَمْرَ (this matter)” in the dua, mention the specific decision in your heart or softly by name — for example, “marrying this person,” “starting this job,” or “moving to this city.”

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🌙 Step 5: Trust Allah and Wait Patiently

After praying, do not rush for a dream or sign. The correct understanding of Istikharah is that Allah will guide your heart towards what is best — by making things easier or removing obstacles.

If your heart feels at peace and the path becomes smooth, that is a good sign. If you feel discomfort, confusion, or find barriers, then it’s better to avoid that decision.

How and When to Perform salat Istikhara?

Istikhara responds when you have problems with your life and desire an answer. It is a tool that can help you gain clarity, be it on a personal or professional level. Istikhara is a prayer performed when you have a specific concern, such as marriage or travel.

• M.arriage decisions
• Career choices
• Business ventures
• Relocation
• Investment decisions

Remember, Istikhara is not just for significant life decisions. Even when you feel lost, turning to Allah for guidance can be comforting.

There are some misconceptions about Istikhara.

There are different misconceptions related to Istikhara that should be cleared:

1. Avoid the dream trap: Some people think they will have a dream after performing istikhara, but this is unnecessary and has not been proven. The actual result of Istikhara is often a feeling of peace or clarity regarding your decision.
2. I heard her say that this is not what Istikhara means. You are not trying to determine if a particular day or time is lucky for that thing. She compared it with fortune-telling. It depends on Allah’s plan rather than questioning the unknown.
3. It is not limited to major decisions: Although most people opt for Istikhara in cases of significant life events, it can also be done when a relatively indifferent choice has to be made.

❓ What is Istikhara?

Istikhara is a special prayer in Islam for seeking Allah’s guidance when faced with a decision. It involves praying two rak’ahs and reciting a specific dua asking Allah to guide you toward what is best.

❓ Can I pray Istikhara for marriage?

Yes, Istikhara is often prayed when considering marriage. It helps you seek Allah’s guidance about whether or not the potential spouse is right for you in both dunya and akhirah.

❓ Do I need to see a dream after Istikhara?

No, a dream is not necessary. Many people do not see any dreams. Instead, Istikhara may result in feeling at peace with a decision, or Allah may guide you through circumstances or clarity of heart.

❓ Can someone else do Istikhara on my behalf?

Ideally, you should perform Istikhara yourself, as it is a personal act of worship and a demonstration of trust in Allah. However, if you are unable (due to illness, for example), some scholars allow a pious person to make du’a for you—but this is not a replacement for your own Istikhara.

❓ How many times should I perform Istikhara?

If you’re unsure, you can perform Istikhara more than once—many scholars recommend up to seven times. Continue praying while researching and consulting others.

❓ What is the best time to pray Istikhara?

You can pray Istikhara at any time except the prohibited times for salah (such as after Fajr until sunrise and after Asr until sunset). Many people prefer praying after Isha because it falls during a peaceful night.

❓ Can I make Istikhara without praying two rak’ahs?

The correct method of Istikhara includes praying two rak’ahs, followed by the dua. However, if prayer is impossible (such as during menstruation), some scholars permit making the dua, but this is not ideal.

❓ What if I still feel confused after Istikhara?

If confusion persists, you may repeat Istikhara and continue to seek guidance from knowledgeable and trustworthy individuals. Trust that Allah will guide you even if clarity takes time.

Conclusion

Performing Istikharah according to Sunnah is one of the most empowering acts of faith for a believer. It is a direct connection between a servant and their Creator, seeking divine wisdom in the face of uncertainty. Remember, the answer to your Istikharah lies not in a dream, but in the ease, clarity, and peace Allah places in your heart.

Whenever you are uncertain, perform Salat al-Istikharah with sincerity, trust Allah’s plan, and accept whatever outcome comes with contentment — for indeed, Allah knows what is best for you even when you do not.

At Kanzol Quran, we believe that Islamic knowledge is powerful and can transform many people’s lives. To learn more about Istikhara and the Islamic guiding principle, visit Kanzolquran.org. Our online Quran courses help you learn Quranic teachings and apply divine tools daily.