Correct your knowledge regarding Salaatul Istikhaarah

by Asma bint Shameem

🔺Definition:

Istikhaarah is defined in the Sharee’ah as:

“Seeking guidance (to the right decision), i.e., seeking guidance as to what Allaah knows is the best and most appropriate choice, by means of prayer or the du’aa’ narrated concerning Istikhaarah.”

Istikhaarah prayer is Sunnah and we read it when we are faced with something and we don’t know what the best and correct decision is concerning it.

So we pray Istikhaarah and call upon Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, asking Him to make what is best easy for us and to avert from us what is not good.

🍃 Jaabir Radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all matters, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Qur’aan.

He said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer…”

(al-Bukhaari 1166)

🔺How to read Istikhaarah prayer

For this istikhaarah prayer, all you do is make your niyyah in your heart, read two rak’aat of prayer and then read the dua of istikhaarah from the Sunnah and ask Allaah to guide you in making the right decision

But before you read the istikhaarah, consult your loved ones and those you trust as well as those that are experts in the field of your issue.

🍃 Imaam al-Nawawi said: 

“It is mustahabb, before praying Istikhaarah, to consult someone whom you know is sincere, caring and has experience, and who is trustworthy with regard to his religious commitment and knowledge.

Allaah says: 

“and consult them in the affairs” [Ale ‘Imraan 3:159]”

Also think about and reflect on the pros and cons of the issue at hand.

Then offer Salaatul istikhaarah and make an educated, intelligent and informed decision, putting your trust in Allaah and knowing that He will guide you to that which is best.

That's the 'answer' to the istikhaarah.

You don't have to wait for a “sign” or a dream or seeing “green” or “red” or anything like that.

Nor do you have to “sleep” to do istikhaarah or make the prayer “the last thing you do before bed” or “not talk to anybody” or other misconceptions so common amongst us.

There's NO PROOF, NOR any NEED for all that.

Just research, consult, contemplate, and pray.

Then put your trust in Allaah and go ahead with what “you” decide.

Remember that Allaah is NOT going to decide for you.

It’s YOU that has to make that decision.

Whatever you will decide, that's the answer to the istikhaarah.

By praying the istikhaarah this way, whatever decision you'll make “IS” the right decision that's better for you.

THAT’S the trust you have to place in Allaah after you make a decision.

🍃 Allaah says:

‎ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

"Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)." (Surah Aal-Imraan: 159)

So if you've prayed istikhaarah, asking Allaah for guidance, about something, then go ahead with it.

If it is good, Allaah will make it easy and facilitate it for you, and if it is bad, Allaah will divert you from it or divert it from you.

That's exactly what the words of the duaa that you read for istikhaarah are.

🍃 Ibn Taymiyah said:

“If a person prays Istikhaarah, asking Allaah to guide him, then whatever his heart is opened to and he feels at ease with, and is made easy for him, is what Allaah has chosen for him.”

(Majmoo‘ al-Fatawa 10/539).

🌷The timings for praying Istikhaarah

Since the istikhaarah prayer is a ‘need’, so the ulama say it's allowed to be read, even in times when general nafl prayers are not allowed.

So if you need to, you can pray it even after fajr and before sunrise especially if the need to make a decision is urgent and you have to decide something quickly and the istikhaarah prayer cannot be delayed until after sunrise because of the urgency of the decision.

🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“If Istikhaarah has to do with an immediate matter that cannot be delayed until the time when prayer is not allowed is over, then it may be done.

If it is for something that may be delayed, then it must be delayed.” (Majmu’ Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 14/275)

🌷When should the duaa be recited…”before” or “after” the tasleem?

There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about that.

And some scholars are of the opinion that the duaa of istikhaarah should be read in the tashahhud before the tasleem.

🍃 Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah said:

“It is permissible to recite the Duaa of istikhaarah before or after the salaam, whether you are praying Istikhaarah prayer or another prayer.

Reciting duaa before the salaam is preferable, as the Prophet ﷺ used to recite a lot of duaa before the salaam, and the worshipper before saying the salaam is still in a state of prayer, so it is better to recite the duaa then.”

(al-Fatawa al-Kubra: Part 2, p. 265)

But other scholars said that the duaa should be read after the Tasleem.

🍃The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The du‘aa’ of istikhaarah comes after the tasleem of salaat al- istikhaarah.”

🍃And Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“The du‘aa’ of istikhaarah comes after the salaam, because the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Let him pray two rak‘ahs then let him say…” and he mentioned the du‘aa’.”

(Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh)

🌷 Are there specific surahs to be read in Salaatul Istikhaarah?

The scholars say there are no specific surahs to be read when praying Salaatul istikhaarah;

Rather you can recite whatever is easy for you, according to the stronger scholarly opinion as there’s no proof of reading any specific Surah.

🍃Shaikh Bin Baaz said:

“Its characteristic is to pray two rak’aat like the remaining voluntary prayers. He reads in each rak’ah the opening of the Book and what is easy for him from the Qur’aan…”

🍃 And Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“And it is not a condition in the Istikhaarah prayer to read a specific surah from the Qur’aan except Surah al-Faatihah, for there is no prayer for the one who does not read it.

There is no specific surah to read for it as far as I know, rather a person reads what is easy for him from the Qur’aan along with Faatihah.”

🌷Can I repeat Istikhaarah if I’m still hesitant about the decision?

Yes, if you’re still hesitant, there’s nothing wrong with repeating

Istikhaarah, until it becomes clear to you which of the options is right.

The scholars said:

“From the views of the fuqaha’ it may be understood that Istikhaarah may be done repeatedly when the matter is not clear to the one who is seeking guidance by means of praying Istikharah.”

(al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah 3/246)

🌷Should I do Istikhaarah “every day” for “everything”?

Istikhaarah is not done for routine everyday chores or for things you’re certain about.

Like you know you have to pray.

Or you have to eat, etc.

Or you know you have to go to work etc.

So there’s no need to read Istikhaarah prayer for that.

🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“Salaat al-Istikhaarah is done when a person is thinking of something and is hesitant about the consequences, so he prays Istikhaarah to Allaah, i.e., he asks Allaah for the better of the two options: going ahead with it or not doing it.

But he should not pray Istikhaarah with regard to everything, meaning that if a person wants to eat lunch he should say, I will pray Istikhaarah about it, or if he wants to go and pray with the congregation in the masjid, he should say, I will pray Istikhaarah about it.

Rather he should pray Istikhaarah and ask Allaah for guidance about things of which he does not know the consequences, such as becoming the Imaam of a masjid, if he is offered a position as Imaam of a masjid and does not know whether it is better for him to become Imaam or not. So he should pray Istikhaarah, because being the Imaam is good in and of itself, but with regard to the consequences, he does not know whether he will be able to fulfil the duties of being Imaam or not, or whether he will be able to settle in this masjid or not, or whether he will be suitable for this congregation or not, so he is not asking for guidance about becoming an Imaam with regard to whether it is good; rather he is praying for guidance as to whether it  is better in terms of consequences.

How often does a man become Imaam of a masjid then he gets tired and does not do his duty, and problems with the congregation make him wish that he had not become Imaam. The same applies to marrying a righteous woman; he does not know what the consequences will be. 

What matters is that in all cases where you are hesitant or uncertain, you must turn to Allaah and ask Him for the better of the two options.”

(Liqaa’aat al-Baab il-Maftooh, 85/question 1)

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

““What is apparent is that Istikhaarah is [performed] when there is uncertainty whether there is a benefit in something for him [or not].

There is no need for Istikhaarah if he is certain.

It comes in the Hadeeth:

‎إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ

“If anyone of you intends to do something”

[al-Bukhaari]

The intend of the context is “doubt”.

As for if you know that this affair is good for you, then there is no Istikhaarah.

You know prayer is good for you, that fasting is good for you, that being dutiful to your parents is good for you, then there is no need to do Istikhaarah.

Istikhaarah is only for something that has ambiguity”.

(al-Fawaaid al-‘Ilmiyyah min Duroos al-Baaziyyah 5/56)

🌷Can someone else pray Istikhaarah for me?

No one can pray Istikhaarah on your behalf.

Rather “YOU” have to read it for yourself.

🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“Istikhaarah can only be done by the person who wants to do something or is thinking of doing it.

It is not valid to pray istikhaarah on behalf of another person, even if he delegates him to do that and says: Pray istikhaarah to Allaah for me (and ask Him to guide me concerning this matter), because the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak‘ahs…”

By the same token, if two people enter the masjid and one of them says to the other:

Pray two rak‘ahs for me to ‘greet the masjid’ (tahiyyat al-masjid), and I am going to sit down, that is not valid.

Istikhaarah prayer is connected to the person who is seeking guidance concerning the thing he wants to do.”

(Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, no. 89)

🌷 Can I pray Istikhaarah with other Sunnah or Nafl prayers, instead of reading two separate rak’aat?

Yes that’s permissible.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray “two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer” then say: Allahumma inni….”

(al-Bukhaari 6841)

The words:

“Let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer”, show that istikhaarah can be read after ANY non obligatory prayers.

🍃 Imaam Al-Nawawi said:

“He can pray istikhaarah after two rak’ahs of regular sunnah prayer done at Dhuhr for example, or after two rak’ahs of any nafl prayers whether they are regularly performed or not.” (al-Adhkaar)

🌷 Is it possible to combine a number of matters in one istikhaarah prayer?

Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Jibreen said:

“That is permissible, and you can make the prayer a means to offer supplication after it, and there is no reason not to pray istikhaarah after praying [two rak‘ahs] with regard to two or more matters.

So you may say in the duaa, after the introduction: “O Allaah, if such and such a matter is good for me, and such and such a matter is good for me,” then say: “make them easy for me,” and so on.”

(Fataawa fi Salaat al-Istikhaarah question no. 12).

And Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan al-Barraak said:

“He may combine a number of matters in one prayer, and say: O Allaah, if You know that such and such, and such and such, and such and such are good for me…”

🌷Can Istikhaarah be read without the two rak’aat of prayer?

Like a woman in her menses?

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“Yes, it is permissible to make Istikhaarah as she pleases.

She can make Istikhaarah as much as she likes without Salaah, as (i.e. in the manner) one asks one’s Lord and makes Istikhaarah to one’s Lord, whether male or female, while mensturating and whatever she has relating to menstruation.

In all these cases, there is no problem in making Istikhaarah [without Salaah/Wudhu].

However, if it is done after the Salaah, then that is better and more virtuous. Her doing Istikhaarah with Salaah is an act of Sunnah.

So one prays two rak’aat and then asks and makes Istikhaarah to one’s Lord, whether one is male or female. Yet [again we mention] if she is menstruating or is in a state of rush, and thus one makes Istikhaarah without Salaah, then there is no problem in one asking one’s Lord, and all praise is for Allaah.

Allaah says:

‎ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ

‘Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).’ [40:60]”

🌷 The Duaa of istikhaarah

“The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all matters, just as he used to teach them soorahs from the Qur’aan.

He said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:

‎اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ , وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ , وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ , وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ , وَأَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ , اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي , فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ , اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي , فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ

Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi.

Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri fasrifni ‘anhu [wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi

“O Allaah, 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 Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me 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.” (al-Bukhaari)

What beautiful words of a beautiful duaa!

🔺What if I don’t know the duaa of istikhaarah by heart? Can I read it from a book or from my phone?

There’s no problem in reading the duaa of istikhaarah from a book or paper or phone etc.

When it’s permissible to read the Qur’aan in prayer by looking at the Mus-haf, then obviously reading a duaa is also allowed.

🍃 Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:

“There is nothing wrong with reading the duaa from a piece of paper.

If a person has not memorised it he can write the duaa on a piece of paper and reads it at times when it mustahabb to offer duaa, such as the end of the night or during the night and at other times.

But if he is able to memorise it and recite it by heart with proper focus and humility, that is better.

(Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 30/31)

And Allaah knows best.