Salat al-Istikhara is a prayer for asking Allah to guide you toward what is best when you are considering a permissible decision.
It consists of two rak‘ahs (units of prayer) beyond the obligatory prayers, followed by the supplication of Istikhara. This method is authentically narrated in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1166.
Step by step
- 1Make wudu and sincerely intend to seek Allah’s guidance about a specific matter.
- 2Pray two voluntary rak‘ahs, praying them like any other two-rak‘ah prayer.
- 3After completing the prayer, praise Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, and recite the Istikhara supplication.
- 4When you reach “If You know this matter is good for me…,” mention your specific matter.
- 5Then take the permissible means available, seek sound advice, and proceed with what becomes easier and more settled. You do not have to wait for a dream; guidance may appear through clarity, ease, or how the matter unfolds.
The supplication begins: “O Allah, I seek guidance by Your knowledge and seek ability by Your power. You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. If You know this matter is good for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. If You know it is harmful, turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree what is good for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it.” You may recite it in Arabic or, if you cannot, ask Allah sincerely in a language you understand.
