Istikhara is a two-rakat voluntary prayer followed by a specific dua in which a Muslim asks Allah to guide them toward what is best in a decision. To perform it, make wudu, pray two rakats of nafl, then recite the istikhara dua while naming your matter. A dream is not required: scholars across schools state that the answer comes through the inclination of the heart and the way events unfold, not necessarily through a vision.
What Istikhara Means and Where It Comes From
The word istikhara means seeking what is good. Istikharah means seeking guidance as to what Allah knows is the best and most appropriate choice. Its basis is a hadith narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih al-Bukhari. The Rasool ﷺ used to teach his companions the prayer of Istikhara for every matter, just as he taught them surahs of the Quran. The same narration appears in Sahih al-Bukhari under several numbers, including 1166 and 6382.
Istikhara is meant for permissible matters where you are unsure which option is better, such as marriage, a job, travel or a move. Scholars note that there is no need for istikhara to decide whether to do what is obligatory or recommended, or whether to avoid what is forbidden or disliked.
How to Perform Istikhara Prayer Step by Step
- Think and consult first. It is mustahabb to consult someone sincere, experienced and trustworthy in religious knowledge before praying istikhara. Istikhara does not replace thinking or advice.
- Keep an open mind. The person praying should have an open mind and not have already decided on a course of action.
- Make wudu and choose a suitable time. There is no fixed time, but avoid times when voluntary prayer is prohibited, such as sunrise and sunset.
- Intend in your heart. Resolve to pray two rakats of voluntary prayer for istikhara. You do not need to say the intention aloud.
- Pray two rakats of nafl. Recite Surah al-Fatiha in each rakat. The Hanafis, Malikis and Shafi’is say it is mustahabb to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rakat and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. Reciting other surahs is also acceptable.
- Recite the istikhara dua. Praise Allah, send salawat on the Rasool ﷺ, then recite the dua from Sahih al-Bukhari. At the words “this matter”, name your specific matter.
- Move forward with ease. Continue with your plans, and trust that Allah will make the better path easy.
What the dua asks for
The dua begins with the words “Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-ilmika”, meaning “O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge.” In it, you acknowledge that Allah has knowledge and power while you have neither, and you ask Him to decree the matter for you if it is good for your religion, livelihood and outcome, or to turn it away from you if it is not. Please read and memorise the complete Arabic text from a reliable source such as Islam Question & Answer.
Before or After the Salam?
Scholars differ on this, and both practices are accepted. One position is that the dua may be recited before or after the salam, with before the salam preferred because the worshipper is still in prayer. On the other hand, the view of the majority of scholars cited by IslamQA is that the dua is said after finishing the prayer, and Shaykh Ibn Baz held that it is prescribed after the salam. If you are unsure, follow the practice of your own school or a scholar you trust.
Is a Dream Necessary for Istikhara?
No. A common belief is that you must sleep right after istikhara and see a dream, with certain colours meaning yes or no. The hadith teaches the prayer and the dua; it does not tell anyone to wait for a dream.
Several sources say the same. The Mufti of the Federal Territories (Malaysia) concluded that having a dream is not a condition for getting an answer to istikhara. A Hanafi fatwa answered by Shaykh Ebrahim Desai states that a person need not see a dream, and should carry out whatever occurs to him. Islamweb likewise says the dream is not a condition for the result of istikhara.
How guidance usually shows itself
IslamQA explains that when Allah makes something easy after you have prayed and made the dua, this is a sign that it is good to go ahead, while obstacles and difficulties indicate that Allah is turning you away from it. Other scholars also mention an inclination or ease in the heart. If you do see a dream, it is not automatically a sign; do not make major decisions on a dream alone, and ask a knowledgeable scholar if you are unsure.
Key Details
| Point | Summary |
|---|---|
| Ruling | Sunnah (confirmed practice of the Rasool ﷺ) |
| Rakats | Two, voluntary (not the obligatory prayers) |
| Main source | Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah |
| Recitation | Fatiha in each rakat; Kafirun and Ikhlas recommended by many scholars |
| Dua timing | Before or after the salam; scholars differ on which is preferred |
| Dream required? | No |
| Best used for | Permissible matters where the better option is unclear |
| Consultation | Recommended before istikhara |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rakats is istikhara?
Two rakats of voluntary prayer, followed by the istikhara dua.
Can I pray istikhara if I cannot pray (for example, during menstruation)?
A Hanafi fatwa on IslamQA.org says if one cannot perform istikhara for any reason, one should at least recite the dua of istikhara.
Should I pray istikhara myself or ask someone else?
The same Hanafi fatwa says it is preferable to perform istikhara yourself rather than have others do it for you.
What if I feel nothing after istikhara?
Continue to consult trusted people, use your judgement, and proceed with what seems best. You may repeat the prayer, and trust that Allah will place good in the outcome. For personal or complex situations, speak to a qualified scholar.
This article is general educational guidance, written as of November 8, 2026. For school-specific rulings, please consult a qualified scholar. Source for the method and scholarly commentary: IslamQA; on dreams: Mufti of the Federal Territories, Malaysia.
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