How to Pray Salat Istikhara (And What Istikhara Is Not)

Whether it's starting a new business, saying yes to a marriage proposal, or even moving to another country, uncertainty can weigh heavily no matter how excited you may be. That’s when many of us turn to a powerful gift Allah gave us: Salat al-Istikhara.

In this blog, we’ll walk through how to pray Salat al-Istikhara and also clarify what Istikhara is not. Because sometimes, our expectations can get in the way of the peace this beautiful prayer is meant to bring.

What Is Istikhara?

The word Istikhara comes from the Arabic word meaning to "seek goodness." It's a prayer we offer when faced with a decision, asking Allah ﷻ to guide us toward what is best, in His knowledge, and keep us away from what isn’t.

Istikhara isn’t about receiving a clear dream or a lightning bolt of clarity. It’s about surrender. It’s about trusting that the One who knows what we do not will ease our path even if we don’t understand the outcome right away.

How to Pray Salat al-Istikhara (Step-by-Step)

If you’re wondering how to pray Salat al-Istikhara, here’s a simple breakdown you can come back to anytime:

1. Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary (non-obligatory) prayer with the intention of Istikhara.

2. Recite the dua of Istikhara after completing your prayer.

Here's the dua:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ 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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, and I do not. You know, and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari #6382]

What Istikhara Is Not

In this beautiful dua, you ask Allah to guide you to what is best, make it easy, and bless it. And if the matter is not good for you, to turn you away from it and give you peace in your heart.

There’s no need to wait for a dream. Instead, trust that Allah will guide you through what unfolds next. That’s where tawakkul begins.  

Sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on Istikhara. So let’s gently clear up a few common myths:  

1. It’s not a dream-generator: It’s an act of surrender and trust.

2. It’s not a magical yes-or-no switch: The answer might come through clarity, ease, or even a closed door.

3. It’s not a last resort: You can pray Istikhara for any decision, big or small, not just when you’re desperate.  

Teaching Kids About Salat al-Istikhara

Even young hearts need to learn that we need Allah's help in making decisions. Try introducing the concept with simple language:

“When you’re not sure what to do, ask Allah to help you choose.”

Here are a few ways to teach kids about Istikhara:

1. Read stories of the Prophets and how they turned to Allah for help.

2. Make a family chart of “Ways We Ask Allah for Help” and include Salat al-Istikhara.

This builds their confidence not just in their choices, but in the process of turning to their Creator.

Final Reflection: The Calm That Follows Surrender

The beauty of Salat al-Istikhara isn’t in the clarity of the outcome, it’s in the calm of the heart that knows it tried its best and left the rest to Allah.  

So whether you’re a mother wondering about your child’s school, a teen choosing a new path, or a parent guiding their child through tough choices…

Remember this: Your job is not to know the future. Your job is to ask, to pray, and to trust.

And that’s enough.