Correct Way to Pray Istikhara – Step-by-Step Authentic Sunnah Guide

Correct Way to Pray Istikhara is a Sunnah taught directly by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for seeking Allah's guidance in any matter – from marriage and career choices to daily decisions. Istikhara means "seeking the best" from Allah through prayer and dua, relying on His infinite knowledge rather than our limited understanding.

This guide explains the correct way to pray Istikhara based on authentic hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah), ensuring you perform it properly for clarity, peace, and barakah.

Raising hands in sincere dua – the essence of Istikhara

Step-by-Step: Correct Way to Pray Istikhara

1. Perform Wudu (Ablution)
   Make proper wudu as for any prayer. Ensure your heart is clean and focused on seeking Allah's pleasure.
2. Make Niyyah (Intention)
   Intend in your heart to pray two rak'ahs of nafl (voluntary) prayer for Istikhara, seeking guidance on your specific matter (e.g., "this marriage proposal" or "this job offer").
3. Pray Two Rak'ahs Nafl
   Pray two units of non-obligatory prayer at any permissible time (avoid forbidden times like after Fajr until sunrise, etc.).
   In the first rak'ah, after Al-Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Kafirun (recommended but not mandatory).
   In the second rak'ah, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (recommended).
4. Raise Your Hands and Recite the Istikhara Dua
   After salam, immediately raise your hands (as in dua) and recite the authentic dua taught by the Prophet (PBUH). Mention your specific matter in the dua where it says "haadha al-amr" (this matter).
5. Trust Allah and Act
   After dua, place full trust in Allah. Guidance may come through ease in the matter, inclination in your heart, circumstances opening/closing, or inner peace – not always a dream.
6. Repeat if Needed
   If still unsure, you may repeat Istikhara up to 7 times on different days, but one sincere performance is often sufficient. Consult others (istisharah) before and after.

Full Istikhara Dua – Arabic, Transliteration & English

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 الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'azim... (continue as above).

English Translation: O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and power by Your might... If You know this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my outcome, then decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it. If it is bad, turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree good for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it.

The Holy Quran – ultimate source of guidance alongside Istikhara

Benefits of Performing Istikhara the Correct Way

• Invites Allah's direct guidance and facilitation of what is best.
• Brings inner peace, contentment with Qadr, and reduced anxiety.
• Protects from harm and adds barakah to chosen paths.
• Strengthens tawakkul (trust in Allah) and deepens iman.
• Helps align decisions with deen, dunya, and akhirah success.

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May Allah guide us all to khair in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen.