Istikhara is a special prayer in which Muslims ask for Allah’s guidance and help in choosing a good path. The importance of istikhara in the religion of Islam is that it helps them turn to Allah when making a decision on any issue and find spiritual peace and the right decision .The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated that teaching the istikhara prayer is as valuable an act of worship as prayer. During istikhara, two rakats of prayer are performed and the istikhara prayer is recited without disturbing inner peace. When they feel relief in their hearts, they evaluate that the decision made is beneficial, and when they feel trouble, they evaluate that they should give up the decision.
What is Istikhara? Understanding Its Importance
Istikhara literally means “Asking for What is Good”. People ask Allah to guide them when making important decisions. Istikhara is a form of worship that gives peace to the hearts of people who are indecisive and helps them find direction. According to Islam, it is an expression of taking refuge in Allah with both spiritual and material submission, based on the fact that Allah is capable of everything and makes the most correct decisions in return for the helpless knowledge of man. When Istikhara is performed with sincere intention and prayer, it helps individuals choose the right path.
Why Do Muslims Perform Istikhara?
When making important decisions, Muslims perform Istikhara to choose the most correct path by taking refuge in Allah’s wisdom. Allah, who is beyond time, has knowledge about everything. People can make mistakes in making the right decisions with limited information. At this point, Istikhara is a person’s refuge in Allah’s guidance in situations that they cannot solve with their own efforts. Istikhara is an indication of submission to Allah and expresses trust in His absolute knowledge of right and wrong. It strengthens the connection with Allah and also provides spiritual peace.
How to Perform Istikhara Step by Step
The following steps are followed in order to perform Istikhara:
- Intention: The cornerstone of the Islamic religion, intention Before performing Istikhara, sincerely intend to ask Allah for the best regarding your decisions.
- Two Rakat Prayer: Complete the prayer by reciting Surah Fatiha and then a surah in the first rakat, and Surah Fatiha and then another surah in the second rakat.
- Istikhara Prayer: After the prayer, recite the Istikhara prayer wholeheartedly and ask Allah for guidance on which of the options you are undecided on would be better.
Prayer of Istikhara
بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ I’m sorry, I’m sorry عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (state your wish or decision thoughtfully here) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي.Meaning
“O Allah! I seek what is good for me with Your knowledge, You strengthen me with Your power, You enrich me with Your grace. Because You have power over all things, I do not; You know all things, I do not know. If this matter is good for my religion, my worldly life and my Hereafter, grant it to me, make it easy and blessed. If this matter is bad for me, keep it away from me and keep me away from it and grant me what is good.” Peace of Mind: Feeling relief or distress in your heart after the Istikhara prayer may be a sign of the decision you will make.
- Patience and Trust: Do not rush for the result. Observe the result with faith in Allah’s guidance.
Preparation for Istikhara Prayer
Before starting the Istikhara prayer, a physical and spiritual preparation process is required. First, the body and clothes must be clean. In order to be physically clean, it is necessary to perform ablution. Afterwards, clean clothes are worn. Then, spend a short time in meditation to purify your heart and turn only to Allah. Create the reason for your intention to perform Istikhara. It should include seeking Allah’s guidance and seeking what is right. In addition, sincerity and submission to Allah are very important in this process. While asking Allah for the best in everything, be prepared to accept the outcome wholeheartedly.
Recommended Practices and Etiquette
The most suitable time for Istikhara is usually the quiet and peaceful hours after the Isha prayer. This period is suitable for turning away from the thoughts that occupy the mind and turning to Allah. Cleanliness and care are important parts of the etiquette of Istikhara; wearing clean clothes and performing ablution demonstrates a respectful stance. Guidance from Allah should be sought with sincere intention and submission while praying. Repeating Istikhara for several nights is beneficial in terms of clarifying the peace or distress that appears in the heart. Being patient with the process and accepting the signs received completes the spiritual dimension of Istikhara.
Common Misconceptions About Istikhara
People may engage in inappropriate practices due to misunderstandings about Istikhara. One of these is that they think they must guarantee receiving a direct sign. A person in Istikhara does not have to see a physical sign. Sometimes it can be in the form of peace or depression in the heart. Another misconception is that Istikhara should be performed on any subject. Istikhara should only be performed on important and uncertain matters. If a person feels closer to a thought and its truth is more obvious, they should know that Istikhara will not have an effect and will not overshadow their own consciousness. Istikhara includes trusting in Allah and being patient in completing the process, along with the possibility of not reaching a conclusion that can be decided immediately.
Do You Need a Dream to Confirm Istikhara?
A dream is not required to conclude Istikhara. According to Islam, dreaming is not one of the symptoms of istikhara, which is a way of asking for guidance from Allah. Dreams can sometimes reflect spiritual peace and comfort. Dreams that suggest they are related to the subject may not be the definitive result of istikhara. In some cases, dreams can be helpful, but the main thing is for the person to surrender the peace and confidence they feel to Allah.
Can Istikhara Be Repeated for the Same Decision?
There is no harm in Islam in repeating istikhara if you think you have not achieved any results before. In fact, this is a recommended method. If you do not get a clear result the first time you apply istikhara, it may be beneficial to repeat it for a few nights in a row. Istikhara, which is done to seek peace in the heart and to ensure trust in Allah, can be repeated if you are still undecided about something. However, patience and submission are essential for repeated istikhara. Allah’s will is always the most correct.
When Should Istikhara Be Performed?
Istikhara is a type of worship that is used when making important and uncertain decisions in life. It is very important to ask Allah for guidance when making a big decision that can affect our entire life, such as marriage. It is a very appropriate time to apply istikhara for job offers, career changes or uncertainties in business life. Istikhara can also be applied for issues such as personal difficulties, going on an important journey or health problems. It is a right decision within the framework of Islam to seek Allah’s guidance when you are too indecisive to be sure about any issue and when you think it is important for you.
Important Decisions and Life Choices
Istikhara can be used for guidance in important areas of life such as uncertainty, indecision and turning points. Important choices such as moving, changing jobs or marriage are situations that require istikhara. Istikhara can be used in making decisions regarding financial decisions, educational preferences or health issues. Istikhara not only allows you to make decisions by trusting in Allah’s will, but also gives peace to your heart. Since the decisions to be made will affect a person’s life in the long term, asking for guidance from Allah is an important form of worship.
Interpreting the Results of Istikhara
Interpreting after performing Istikhara requires patience and trusting in Allah. Istikhara does not require waiting for a sign, dream or a specific situation. In order to focus on the results of Istikhara, you should focus on the peace or distress in your heart. If you feel peaceful in a decision, it is assumed that the decision to be made will be beneficial in the sight of Allah. On the contrary, if you think that it makes you feel distressed inside, it can indicate that the decision to be made will not be beneficial. Istikhara is all about trusting in Allah’s guidance and waiting patiently for the result. Trust in Allah’s guidance and believe that His plan is the best.
Trusting in Allah’s Plan
Trusting in the Creator’s plan is one of the cornerstones of Islam. People’s helpless creation and limited knowledge may not be enough to see the results and effects of the decisions made. Allah knows everything best. Even if there is uncertainty or it is not immediately clear during the process of Istikhara, trusting in Allah is believing that He will prepare the most correct and best for you. It is important for a person to turn their heart and prayers to Allah in submission with the belief that if Allah closes a door, He will open a better one. Trusting brings peace and relief.
Signs and Feelings After Istikhara
If the person achieves the purpose of Istikhara, they usually feel peace or distress inside. These feelings are widely accepted as a guidance from Allah. If you feel peace and relief in your heart after making a decision, this is usually a sign that that option is a good path. No feelings may arise after Istikhara. In this case, it is important to be patient and surrender the entire process to Allah. After Istikhara, not only the signs but also the natural flow of events can be accepted as the guidance of Allah.
Istikhara in Modern Contexts
In today’s world, Istikhara can guide complex career choices and vital decisions. When you need to change your career planning or receive multiple job offers, you can gain a spiritual orientation by doing istikhara. Istikhara helps in the research and evaluation processes from a modern perspective. After gathering information and evaluating the options, asking Allah for the best can make your decisions clearer. In today’s chaos, istikhara gives peace and confidence to the hearts of individuals and strengthens the sense of submission to Allah.
Balance Between Faith and Practicality in the Decision-Making Process
Relying on istikhara and being practical in the decision-making process requires a balanced approach. Istikhara, which means asking for guidance from Allah, does not affect the person’s responsibilities at the same time. It is very important to do research, seek counseling, or evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the options before making a decision. This process means correctly directing the mind and will given by Allah. If a person cannot reach a clear result despite all their efforts, they ask Allah to provide the best with Istikhara. Thus, the balance of mind and faith should be maintained.
