Istikhara namaz: The word “Istikhara” means to pursue wellness from Allah, which implies that when one is going to carry out an important task, they can perform Isitikhara before doing so.
If you saw something in your sleep that troubles you, read these Islamic dream meanings and interpretations.
Salat-ul-Istikhara is a prayer performed to seek guidance from one and only Allah. We should not feel hesitant to perform Istikhara before making any decision whether it is small or big. It can be performed for a business, marriage, or any other task in your life. Related: Salatul Hajat and love marriage in Islam.
If you are a parent then you should teach your children not to worry about making decisions in life and to seek guidance from Allah. As there is no lock without a key and no problems without solutions. So, always have patience and have faith in Allah, when he puts you to the test.
Remember these manners before praying
- Keep faith in Allah and pray with sincerity.
- Ready to follow the guidance provided by Allah, Indeed only He knows the best.
- Refrain from being impatient. Your dream won’t turn into a miracle and won’t be flooded with signs.
How to Perform Istikhara?
To perform Istikhara your body needs to be pure and clean, so perform wudu if necessary. Open your prayer mat, offer two Rakat prayer, and offer your Istikhara supplication. Seek advice from someone wise and knowledgeable instead of waiting for a miraculous vision.
During praying, refrain from pleading and begging, show sincerity and be prepared to get along with the answers you receive.
1. Perform wudu
Before stepping on a prayer mat, make sure that you are clean and perform wudu if necessary. Now, wash and rinse these body parts three times in order: hands (till wrists), mouth, nose, face, forearms (till elbow). Rinse your head using your hands (masah, from forehead to the back of your head) and clean your ears using index fingers. Now wash your feet three times (start from the right foot).
In some cases, it is mandatory to do ghusl. Such as after copulation.
For more details, go through this complete guide on How To Perform Wudu (Ablution) & Islamic Quotes on Wudu
2. Prepare your prayer area
You need to make sure that your prayer is clean enough to offer prayer. Place and set a prayer mat. Position yourself and your mat in the direction of Qibla (Mecca).
3. Start your prayer
Start by centering your thoughts and setting your intention. Elevate both of your hands to your ears and say “Allah hu Akbar” which means “Allah is the Greatest”. Now read Istiftah dua followed by Tawwuz and Tasmiah.
This is dua al istiftah
4. Read Surah e Fatiha
Prior to offering Salat-ul-Istikhara, offer two rakat prayer and start with Surah e Fatiha. Don’t forget to start each surah with “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”.
5. Read Surah al Kafirun
After reading Surah e Fatiha, continue with Surah al Kafirun or chapter 109 of the Quran. Make sure to start each Surah with “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”.
6. Read Surah e Ikhlas after Surah e Fatiha
In second rakah, read Surah e Fatiha again and then Surah e Ikhlas. Make sure to start with “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem”.
Here is a complete Surah Fatihah Summary, Lessons & Benefits of Surah Fatiha.
7. Read the Istikhara Supplication
After offering two Rakat prayer, you are allowed to read the Istikhara Supplication. (dua-e-Istikhara is mentioned above).
8. Make repetitions for seven days (if you don’t receive an answer)
If you remain unsure, you may repeat the Istikhara prayer and dua. The number seven is not established in authentic hadith, though some scholars and elders mention repeating it several times. Remember that the answer is not a dream or a feeling that must appear; it is Allah’s facilitation of the matter, or His turning it away, as you move forward.
9. Sleep with wudu and in the direction of Qibla
It is a recommended Sunnah to sleep in a state of wudu in general, so you may do so after the Istikhara dua (people who cannot maintain wudu because of health problems need not worry). Sleeping towards the Qibla or any particular direction is not a requirement of Istikhara, and sleep itself is not required either. It is better to read salutations (Durood/Salawat) before and after the recitation of Istikhara Supplication.
10. No Dream or Colour Signs Are Required
Istikhara does not depend on dreams, colours or visions. Neither the Quran nor authentic hadith say that seeing a certain colour in a dream is a sign to proceed or to stop, so interpretations of colours should not be relied on. After praying and making the dua, go ahead with the option you feel inclined towards, after consulting trustworthy people (istishara). If it is good for you, Allah will make it easy; if not, He will turn it away from you and bring about what is best.
How NOT to perform Istikhara?
- Making someone else do it for you
Istikhara is the personal prayer of the person who needs to decide, so it is best that you pray it yourself rather than asking a scholar or another righteous person to do it for you (they can make dua for you and advise you). As the wordings of Dua-e-Istikhara starts with “I-” so when someone else does it, they will be doing it for themselves indirectly.
In other cases, if the matter is associated with several people i.e. family matters. Then your family members are allowed to do it. Otherwise, it is only you who needs to perform Istikhara. There isn’t any verification found in hadiths and Quran as well about having someone perform Istikhara for you.
- Performing Istikhara for irrelevant purposes
You are not allowed to perform Istikhara for obligatory matters, hence you are not required to perform Istikhara to decide whether to do the task or not. Similarly, for matters that are forbidden, you should refrain from doing Istikhara to decide whether to avoid the task or not.
Istikhara is only confined to matters that are allowed in Islam. Istikhara can be done for several purposes like for marriage proposals, small or big decisions in your life, and even for the slightest guidance in life.
- Doing extra stuff during Istikhara
- Believing that only particular surahs work. The hadith only tells us to pray two rakah and then make the dua; reciting Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas is recommended by many scholars, but it is not required.
- Waiting for a dream or sign before acting, instead of consulting wise people and moving ahead with a good intention.
- You are not confined to stay quiet after Salat-e-Istikhara. Go about your day and make your decision.
Istikhara for Marriage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Istikhara?
Istikhara means seeking the best choice from Allah. It is a two-rakah voluntary prayer followed by a dua taught by the Prophet (PBUH) in Sahih al-Bukhari (1162), asked when you must decide a lawful matter.
Do I need to see a dream after Istikhara?
No. A dream is not required and its colours or symbols carry no ruling. Make the dua, consult trustworthy people, and proceed with what seems best, trusting that Allah will make it easy or turn it away.
When is the dua read, before or after the salam?
Scholars differ. Many read it after finishing the two rakah and the salam, while some say it can be read before the salam, near the end of the prayer. Follow your school or your local imam.
Can I pray Istikhara at any time?
It may be prayed at any time when voluntary prayers are allowed, but not in the disliked times of prayer. Ask a qualified scholar if you are unsure.
Can I pray Istikhara for a marriage proposal?
Yes, it is a common and recommended use. It does not replace consultation with family and honest enquiry. Read love marriage in Islam.