Istikhara is a prayer of guidance in Islam, where an individual seeks Allah’s guidance on a particular matter. It’s a way to ask Allah to help make a decision that’s best for them, whether it’s related to marriage, career, education or other life choices.
Key Aspects of Istikhara:
- Purpose: To seek Allah’s guidance on a specific matter, ensuring the decision made is in the best interest of the individual.
- Method: Perform two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by a specific dua (supplication) asking for guidance.
- Dua: The istikhara dua is recited after the prayer, mentioning the matter at hand and asking Allah to guide the individual towards the best decision.
- Timing: Istikhara can be performed at any time, except during forbidden hours (after sunrise, at meridian, and after Asar prayer until sunset).
- Repetition: Some scholars recommend repeating the istikhara prayer up to seven times if clarity is not achieved initially.
Understanding the Outcome:
- No specific sign: The answer to istikhara may not come in the form of a dream or a specific sign. Instead, the individual may feel a sense of clarity or inclination towards a particular decision.
- Following intuition: After performing istikhara, the individual is encouraged to follow their intuition and make a decision based on the sense of guidance they receive.
- Seeking counsel: It’s also recommended to seek advice from trusted individuals and take sound means to assess the situation.
Importance of Istikhara:
- Symbolic dependence on Allah: Istikhara demonstrates an individual’s reliance on Allah’s guidance and wisdom.
- Peace of mind: By seeking Allah’s guidance, individuals can make decisions with greater confidence and peace of mind.
- Spiritual growth: Istikhara can be a means of spiritual growth, as individuals learn to trust in Allah’s plan and wisdom.
