Whenever a Muslim faces a genuine choice, marriage, a job, a move, any permissible matter, the Sunnah is to ask Allah to guide them to what is best. This is Salatul Istikhara, the prayer of seeking goodness. Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA) said the Prophet ﷺ used to teach the Companions to make istikhara in all matters, just as he would teach them a surah of the Quran. (Bukhari)

Istikhara is not fortune-telling and does not require a dream. It is simply entrusting your decision to the One who knows the outcome you cannot see.

When to Pray Istikhara

Pray istikhara for any lawful decision where the better path is unclear. It is not needed for things already known to be obligatory or forbidden. You can pray it at any permissible prayer time, avoiding only the three brief times when prayer is disliked (at sunrise, when the sun is at its zenith, and at sunset).

How to Pray Salatul Istikhara, Step by Step

  1. Make wudu as you would for any prayer (see our wudu guide).
  2. Intend in your heart to pray two rak'ahs of istikhara for the specific matter you are deciding.
  3. Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer. Many recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second, though any recitation is valid.
  4. After the salam, raise your hands and recite the istikhara dua, naming your specific need where the dua indicates.
  5. Then proceed with your decision while relying on Allah.

The Istikhara Dua

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and Your power by Your might, and I ask You of Your great bounty.” The opening of the istikhara dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ. (Bukhari)

The dua continues: “…for You are able and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me, 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.”

What Happens After Istikhara? (Common Questions)

🌙
Do I need a dream?
No. Scholars explain that a dream is not required and not a condition. Guidance most often comes as facilitation of the right path or ease in the heart.
🧭
How do I know the answer?
Look at how matters unfold. Allah may make the good option easy and accessible, or place obstacles in the way of what is harmful for you.
🔁
Can I repeat it?
Yes. Many scholars permitted repeating istikhara, even up to seven times, until the heart finds clarity. Pair it with consultation (istishara) of wise people.
🤲
What if I feel nothing?
Then proceed with your best judgement, trusting that you asked Allah for the best. The whole point is tawakkul: you have placed the matter in His hands.

Istikhara pairs beautifully with the night prayer, when the heart is most receptive. If you want to deepen this habit, see our guide to praying Tahajjud.

Pray Istikhara with Confidence using DeenPal

Get the full istikhara dua with Arabic, transliteration and audio, plus prayer times and reminders, in one free app.

Download DeenPal Free