Istikhara is a prayer to Allah that is done when an individual is faced with a decision. It is a way of asking for guidance from the Almighty. There are specific duas, or supplications, that are recited during Istikhara.
After performing Istikhara, one must wait and see what signs Allah gives them about the decision they need to make. These signs can come in the form of dreams, omens, or gut feelings. One should go with whatever they feel is right after taking all these things into consideration.
- The following steps are a recommended way to perform Istikhara: 1
- Make sure that you have performed all the necessary prerequisite actions, such as performing wudu (ablution) and ensuring that you will pray the two Rakats of Salat-ul-Istikhara after the obligatory prayers
- recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another short Surah or three verses from any other part of the Qur’an; then offer supplications for guidance from Allah Almighty according to His Will
- It is better to praise Allah and send peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during this step
- Perform the two Rakats of Salat-ul-Istikhara, which can be prayed at any time during the day or night except during times when prayer is forbidden, such as during sunrise, sunset, or midday when the sun is at its highest point
- After completing Salat-ul-Istikhara, make your intention known to Allah Almighty that you are seeking His guidance in a matter that is important to you, and then go about your daily business as usual without worrying about whether or not your decision was correct
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What Do You Say During Istikhara?
When making an Istikhara, there are certain duas and prayers that are recited. The person making the Istikhara should first perform two units of prayer, known as Salat al-Istikhara. After the prayer, they should then make the intention to do Istikhara and recite the following du’a:
“O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, near and far, then ordain it for me. O Allah! If You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs – near or far – then keep it away from me. And ordain for me whatever is good.” (Bukhari)
After reciting this du’a, the person making the Istikhara should sleep with that intention and ask Allah to guide them to what is best for them. In the morning, they should reflect on what they dreamt about during the night and make their decision based on that guidance.
Can Istikhara Be Done Anytime?
Yes, Istikhara can be done at any time. It is a way to seek guidance from Allah (swt) about a decision that you need to make. You can do Istikhara before making any big decisions in your life, such as getting married, starting a business, or moving to a new city.
Istikhara is not just for big decisions; you can also do it for small everyday choices, like what to wear or what to eat. If you are unsure about something, ask Allah (swt) for guidance through Istikhara.
There are many ways to perform Istikhara. One way is to pray two Rak’ahs (units) of optional prayer, then recite the du’a of Istikhara (see below). Another way is to sleep after making wudhu (ablution), then recite the du’a and ask Allah (swt) to show you a dream that will guide you in your decision.
Still another method is simply to make the intention of doing Istikhara, then go about your day-to-day activities and trust that Allah (swt) will guide you in whatever way He sees fit. The most important thing is that your heart is sincere and that you are seeking guidance from Allah (swt). Whichever method you choose, have faith that Allah (swt) will guide you and don’t rush into any decisions without taking the time to do Istikhara first.
At What Time Should Istikhara Be Done?
There is no one definitive answer to this question. Muslims differ on when exactly Istikhara should be performed, but the general consensus is that it should be done at some point during the night. Some people believe that it should be done after the Isha prayer, while others say that it can be done any time before sunrise.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide when to do Istikhara, as there is no set time or place required for performing this prayer.
How Many Rakats is Istikhara Prayer?
Istikhara is a prayer that Muslims perform when they are unsure about a decision they need to make. The word “istikhara” means “to seek guidance from Allah.”
There is no set number of Rakats for the Istikhara prayer, as it is simply a matter of seeking guidance from Allah through prayer.
However, it is generally recommended to pray two Rakats before performing the Istikhara.
Understanding Istikhara – Mufti Menk
Istikhara Signs
Istikhara is a prayer performed by Muslims to seek guidance from Allah. The word “istikhara” means “to seek guidance.” It is a sunnah (recommended) prayer that should be performed when one is unsure about an important decision.
There are many different ways to perform Istikhara, but the most common way is to pray two rak’ahs (units of prayer) and then make du’a (supplication) for guidance. After making du’a, one should wait patiently for a sign or guidance from Allah. The signs can come in many forms, such as a dream, feelings in the heart, or events that occur after making the du’a.
It is important to keep in mind that Istikhara is not a form of magic; it will not give you a definite answer about what you should do. Rather, it is meant to help you reflect on your situation and make the best decision possible with the knowledge that Allah has given you.
Istikhara Prayer in English
Istikhara is a prayer that Muslims use to seek guidance from Allah. It is typically used when making decisions, such as whether to marry someone or take a job.
To perform Istikhara, you should first make sure that you have performed all of the required prayers for that day.
You can then pray two rak’ahs, or units, of optional prayer. After the prayer, you should recite the du’a, or supplication, of Istikhara.
After reciting the du’a , you should sleep without performing any more worshipping acts . In your dreams ,Allah will show you what is best for you . The dream may be positive or negative ; both types can be interpreted .
For example , if you see yourself doing an action which goes against Islam , such as drinking alcohol , this could mean that the thing you are considering doing is not right for you and you should avoid it . On the other hand , if the dream is positive and reassuring ,this could be a sign from Allah that He approves of your decision . It’s important to note that although some people believe thatperforming Istikhara guarantees receiving guidance from Allah through a dream , this isn’t always the case .
Sometimes people don’t receive any type of guidance through dreaming at all . In these situations , it’s best to just trust your gut instinct and go with what feels right .
Dua for Istikhara
When you are faced with a decision and don’t know what to do, you can perform istikhara. Istikhara means “to seek guidance from Allah.” It is a prayer that is specifically used when seeking Allah’s guidance on a matter.
There are two ways to perform istikhara:
1) By yourself: You should pray 2 rak’ahs of regular prayer, then make the intention of istikhara. After that, you should recite the following dua:
“Oh Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making this decision]. Oh Allah, if You know that this [decision] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me. Oh Allah, if You know that this [decision] is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, then keep it away from me and Keep me away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good; all of it belongs to You. He whom You guide – none can lead astray after You have guided him. And he whom You cause to err – there is no one who can guide him after You have caused him to err.” (Bukhari)
2) With someone else: If you are seeking guidance on a matter with someone else (e.g., marriage), then both parties should perform the regular 2 rak’ah prayer. After that, each person should make the intention of performing istikhara for themselves.
Then, they should recite the following dua together:
Salatul Istikhara
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, we seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil within ourselves and the consequences of our bad deeds.
Whoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whoever He allows to stray, no one can guide. There is no power or might except with Allah.
How to perform Salatul Istikhara: – Make the intention that you are going to perform Salatul Istikhara for whatever reason it may be. – Perform two rakats (cycles) of optional prayer; this can be performed at any time of day or night.
It is best to perform it after the obligatory prayers though. – After completing your prayers, recite Surah Al-Fatihah once and then another surah OR seven times Ayat al Kursi and three times Surah Al Ma’idah (the fifth chapter of the Qur’an). – Then make your du’aa (supplication) in your own words asking Allah to guidance on whatever matter you are seeking His guidance on.
You should do this with sincerity, humility, fear and hope – believing that only good will come from following His guidance.
Can You Pray Istikhara After Fajr
Yes, you can pray Istikhara after Fajr. Istikhara is a prayer that is performed when one is making an important decision and seeking guidance from Allah (swt). There are many Hadith that mention the importance of praying Istikhara, and how it can help us make decisions in our lives.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “If anyone of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak’ah of non-obligatory prayer, and say [after the prayers]:
‘O Allah! I consult You as Your slave and Messenger. O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter [which I am facing] be good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter, then ordain it for me. And if in Your Knowledge it be bad for me both in this world and the Hereafter, then remove it from me. And appoint better for me than it whatever You may will.’
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
In another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Istikharah is a form of worship. If anyone does an action which he thinks is good but he is not certain whether it is good or bad, then let him offer two Rak’ah of non-obligatory prayer besides his regular prayers; then let him praise Allah afterwards and say what he feels like saying; thereafter let him make supplication to Him.” [Abu Dawood]
Praying Istikhara can help us to seek guidance from Allah when we are unsure about something. It is important to remember that after doing Istikhara, we should trust in Allah’s decision for us and have faith that whatever He decides is best for us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Istikhara is a way to ask for guidance from Allah. It is best done when you are facing a decision and are unsure of what to do. You can do Istikhara by yourself, or with the help of a Imam.