Life is very unpredictable but only Allah is the one who knows what is coming ahead. Allah is Al-knowing. So, He is the one we can turn to to seek guidance. Being Muslims, we should seek Allah’s guidance in our matters because he can guide us better than anyone else. The method to ask for Allah’s guidance is Istkhara. Here’s what it is and how to do Istkhara.
What is Istkhara?
Istkhara is an Islamic principle and an authority for Muslims. They can use it to ask for Allah’s guidance in any matter. There are certain things that seem right to us but they may be trouble in disguise. Sometimes, there may be something that seems wrong to us but it can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
There are many instances when we feel stuck in our lives. It is like a maze where you end up in front of several closed doors. Istkhara works as a clue in that maze. Allah sends the clue to choose the right door. You can seek Allah’s help in matters of business, marriage, study, job, and in other instances.
How to do Istkhara?
For doing Istkhara, you need to offer an Istkhara prayer, also called Salat al-Istkhara. We can do it before making any type of decision. You must be sincere while praying and must have true trust in Allah’s decision. You should respect the outcome of Istkhara because Allah’s guidance is the best guidance. We should make haste for the answer. Sometimes, the answer may take longer so be patient.
- To offer Salat al-Istkhara, you need to learn a duaa for Istkhara.
- Do ablution (Wuzu) so that you are clean, or perform Ghusl if you need to.
- You need to offer two rakats of Nafal.
- In first Rakat, Recite Surah e Fateha, then recite Surah al-Kafirun.
- In the second Rakat, recite surah e Fateha, then recite surah al-Ikhlas.
- Once you finish your prayer, you can recite Prayer for Istkhara.
- After completing the process, go to sleep and wait for Allah’s signs.
Translation of Istkhara Prayer
O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and I beseech You for Your Magnificent Grace. Surely, You are Capable and I am not. You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [then mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, – [or say: in this life and the afterlife] – then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, – [or say: in this life and the afterlife] – then distance it from me, and distance me from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and help me to be content with it. Whoever seeks the counsel of the Creator will not regret it and whoever seeks the advice of the believers will feel confident about his decisions. Allah said in the Qur’an: “And consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.”
Al-Bukhari 7:162
