Introduction to Salatul Istikhara
Salatul Istikhara, also known as the prayer of guidance, is an important voluntary prayer in Islam. It allows Muslims to seek Allah’s guidance when facing an important decision in life.
The word “Istikhara” comes from the Arabic root word “khayr” which means goodness. So Salatul Istikhara invokes Allah’s guidance towards goodness and away from harm when making major choices.
This powerful prayer was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself and has tremendous benefits if performed with a sincere heart and mind. At Qiratul Quran Institute, students not only learn the method of Salatul Istikhara but also its deep significance in the life of a Muslim.
Reasons Why You Should Perform Salatul Istikhara
There are many benefits associated with performing Salatul Istikhara consistently and correctly. Here are some of the top reasons you should know about this meaningful prayer:
1. Receive Allah’s Guidance
The essence of Salatul Istikhara is to implore Allah to guide you towards the best choice in a complex situation. This prayer activates powerful Divine guidance and wisdom to illuminate your path ahead. Rather than rely solely on your own limited knowledge, perform Istikhara to access Allah’s boundless knowledge.
2. Make Better Decisions
By invoking Allah’s guidance through Istikhara, you are more likely to make decisions that align with your long-term well-being. It provides spiritual insights into the potential outcomes of your choices that you may overlook when evaluating options rationally. This leads to better decision-making.
3. Avoid Regret and Wrong Turns
Life is full of crossroads where we must choose one path out of many. Istikhara helps avoid choices you may later regret or those that lead to dead ends. By aligning your decisions with Allah’s plan, you can progress smoothly in the right direction. Istikhara prevents mishaps.
4. Experience Inner Peace
An immense feeling of contentment comes from knowing you made your decision after calling upon the wisdom of the All-Knowing. This removes doubts and anxiety about choosing correctly. Istikhara grants peace of mind that Allah will facilitate good outcomes from your choice.
5. Strengthen Trust in Allah
When you regularly turn to Allah for guidance through Salatul Istikhara, it strengthens your trust and reliance in Him. You experience first-hand how He guides you to appropriate decisions. This confirms your faith that Allah knows best and has dictated a wise destiny for you.
6. Learn the Proper Prayer Method
Learning the precise method and etiquette of performing Istikhara from knowledgeable teachers will maximize its benefits. Qiratul Quran Institute provides students with training in all aspects of this prayer, from making intentions to supplications after completion.
When Should You Pray Salatul Istikhara?
Salatul Istikhara can be performed for decisions big and small. Here are some common situations where praying Istikhara is highly recommended:
– When Making Major Life Choices
Major life choices like selecting a college, accepting a job offer, or proposing marriage warrant istikhara to ensure you make the best decision. The prayer’s results help finalize your choice.
– Before Making a Big Investment
Whether investing in a business venture, property, or large asset, first perform istikhara to avoid investments that lead to loss instead of gain.
– When Faced With Multiple Options
If you need to pick between multiple complex options that seem equally good, pray istikhara for clarity on which option is ideal for your situation.
– During Times of Indecision
Persistent uncertainty about what decision to make should be resolved by praying istikhara for definitive guidance from Allah on the right path.
– For Any Need for Guidance
Any life situation where you need Allah’s guidance and wisdom can be an occasion to perform Salatul Istikhara. Pray it with trust and sincerity.
How to Perform Salatul Istikhara
Make the intention to pray two rakahs of istikhara with focus and presence. Follow these main steps:
- Perform wudu if needed and face the qibla
- Pray two rakahs nafl prayer with the intention of istikhara
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha plus any other surah in each rakah
- After salams, supplicate using the istikhara dua
- Make your decision after some time passes
Be consistent in praying istikhara before major occasions and have full faith in Allah’s guidance. Learn the finer points and etiquette of performing this prayer correctly from the Qiratul Quran Institute’s expert instructors.
Istikhara Dua for Marriage
Marriage is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life. Finding the right life partner to share your life with requires deep reflection, wisdom and divine guidance. This is where the istikhara dua can be immensely helpful for Muslims seeking direction on whether a potential marriage is right for them.
Purpose of Istikhara for Marriage
- Marriage has profound implications on one’s deen and Dunya. Istikhara allows us to make the best decision about a lifelong commitment.
- It helps remove doubts, unsure feelings, and anxiety about an impending marriage.
- Provides reassurance if the decision is aligned with Allah’s will.
- Helps overcome indecisiveness when one is torn between choices.
When to Perform Istikhara for Marriage
Istikhara can be made:
- When one receives a marriage proposal and is unsure about accepting it.
- If one has some reservations or doubts about a potential spouse.
- When there are multiple proposals to choose from you are confused.
- Before formally agreeing to marry someone.
- Even after agreeing to a proposal if doubts arise later.
Istikhara should ideally be performed before making a final commitment as it is easier to change one’s mind at an early stage. However, it can be made at any point before the nikah ceremony.
How to Perform Istikhara for Marriage
Here are the key steps involved:
1. Make Wudu and Offer 2 Rakat Nafl Prayers
- First, make wudu and offer 2 rakat nafl prayers with the intention of istikhara. Try to concentrate and focus during the prayers.
2. Recite the Istikhara Dua
- After completing the 2 rakat nafl prayers, recite the following istikhara dua with hands raised:
Allahuma inni astakheeruka bi ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa asaluka min fadlikal adheem, fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdir, wa ta’lamu wala a’lam, wa anta allaam ul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu haza amran (name the act) khairan li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa aqibati amri (or aajil amri wa ajilihi) Fa qdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. (If you know that this act _____ is good for my dunya and akhirah then make it easy for me and bless me in it.) Wa in kunta ta’lamu haza amran sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa aqibati amri (or aajil amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni wasrifni anhu. Wa qdur liyal khayr haythu kana thumma radini bihi (If you know that this act is bad for my dunya and akhirah then keep me away from it.)
3. Be Patient and Await the Results
- Be patient and do not rush into a decision after making istikhara.
- The answer may come in your dream or as signs that guide your heart toward a choice.
- If the answer does not come immediately, repeat the istikhara 7 times for better results.
4. Accept the Outcome Wholeheartedly
- Once you feel guided towards a decision after istikhara, accept it wholeheartedly and move forward.
- Do not doubt the answer once it comes. Have complete faith that it is the best outcome for you.
Interpreting the Results of Istikhara
The results of istikhara may manifest in different ways:
- A strong feeling of peace, contentment, and relief about a decision indicates it is good.
- Persistent unease, doubts, or unhappiness imply it may not be the best option.
- A dream that points towards or against something.
- Circumstances and situations facilitating or hindering an outcome.
- Sudden positive or negative thoughts and feelings about a person or decision.
Ultimately, you will feel guided from within your heart towards the right decision after istikhara. Have trust in Allah’s plan for you.
Benefits of Istikhara for Marriage
Istikhara for marriage brings immense benefits:
- Allows you to make the best decision for your dunya and akhirah.
- Removes doubts and gives clarity where there is confusion.
- Helps overcome anxiety about making the wrong choice.
- Builds strong tawakkul (reliance) on Allah after making one’s effort.
- Brings barakah when decisions are taken by following the Quran and Sunnah.
- Avoids future regrets and disappointment over a wrong decision.
No matter what the outcome, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did istikhara before the marriage.
Dua for Good Spouse From Quran and Hadith
In addition to istikhara, it is Sunnah to regularly recite dua asking Allah for a good, righteous spouse. Some relevant duas are:
- Rabbanaa hab lanaa min azwaajinaa wa dhuriyaatinaa qurrata a’yunin wa’j’alnaa lilmuttaqeena imam (Oh Allah! Grant us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and guide us to be models for the righteous)
- Allahumma innee as’aluka khayra haazal umri, khayra ma ba’dahu, wa a’oodhubika min dar’e khayril mauti (O Allah, I ask You for the good of this life and the good of the life after it. And I seek refuge in You from the evil of death)
- Allahumma barrik lanaa fee ayyaaminaa, wa barrik lanaa fee ashaabinaa, iqbalnaa min kulli birrin watijjaarati, innaka antal abraaru, antal jabbaru (O Allah, bless us in our days, bless us in our companions, let us prosper in every good deed and trade, You are the Kind, You are the Powerful)
Making dua is a powerful way to ask Allah for a happy and successful marriage decreed by the Almighty.
Final Thoughts
Salatul Istikhara is an invaluable gift every Muslim should utilize whenever they need to make important life decisions. Its power to provide Divine guidance and wisdom should not be underestimated. Consistently performing this prayer will bring greater satisfaction and success as Allah illuminates your path through life’s crossroads.
