Overview

Istikhāra literally means “to seek that which is good” and is the third part of a 3-step decision making process:

1. Preparation – Use your own rationale and assess your circumstances. Do your own research.
2. Istishāra (seek advice) – Ask someone of experience and knowledge in the topic you’re looking for guidance on
3. Istikhāra (seek goodness) – Maybe you’ve narrowed it down, but are conflicted in making your final decision. You want confidence and clarity, and this is where istikhāra finally comes into play

Istikhāra Prayer

Prerequisites

• Same prerequisites as for any other prayer
• No other requirements. (ex. No special bath or time of day)

How

Pray two rakaʿāt of voluntary prayer (any prayer outside the five obligatory ones) and recite any Surahs you’d like after Fatiha in each rakah as there are no Surahs specifed by The Prophet ﷺ. Once you finish – ie, you say your salām for the prayer – recite the duʿāʾ (prayer) of istikhāra in Arabic as recommended to us by the Prophet ﷺ and then explicitly state your need in any language you’d like. If you don’t have it memorized, read it off a paper or your phone. If you can’t read Arabic, read the transliteration. No extra duʿāʾ afterwards is required.

Outcome

You will NOT necessarily see a dream/vision/sign/etc. Allāh ﷻ will place a bit of inclination in your heart towards going through with the action or not.

Conclusion

Istikhāra is a natural process. Don’t expect anything otherworldly. All istikhāra ensures is that you have the blessings of Allāh backing your choice. There is no istikhāra for Ḥarām actions (ex. Should I drink this alcohol?) or obligatory actions (ex. Should I pray ʿĪshāʾ today?). Do not regret your decision afterwards as doing so would be to regret and doubt in Allāh’s guidance. Even if your decision “doesn’t work out” how you envisioned, know that it was better for you and that there are blessings in it even if you can’t see them yet.