Ashwin Lewis
Istikhara is a Sunnah prayer in which two rakats are performed. It is a form of consultation, where one seeks Allah's guidance in making a decision. While some believe that one must sleep after performing Istikhara to receive guidance through dreams, this is just a misconception. There is no evidence that the answer to Istikhara is found only in dreams, and Allah can indicate the response in any case. While one can sleep after performing Istikhara, it is not mandatory, and the decision should be based on what one's heart is inclined towards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is sleep necessary? | No |
| Best time to perform Istikharah | After Isha and before sleeping |
| Can Istikharah be prayed at any time? | Yes |
| Is it necessary to have visions or dreams following Istikharah? | No |
| Can Istikharah be performed for general guidance? | Yes |
| Can Istikharah be performed for big or small decisions? | Yes |
| Is it necessary to perform Istikharah 7 times? | No |
| Should one sleep with ablution after Istikharah? | Yes |
| Should one sleep facing the Qibla after Istikharah? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Istikhara is a form of consultation, specifically asking Allah for help in making a decision
There are two types of consultations: Mushaawarah and Istikhaarah. Mushaawarah is consulting the immediate wise people around you for their advice and views on an important decision. Istikhaarah is consulting Allah and asking for Khair (good).
Istikhara is a two-rak'ah non-obligatory prayer by which one seeks Allah's guidance when confused or unable to choose between permissible alternatives. The prayer is performed at night before sleeping, and the person praying asks Allah to facilitate the matter if it is good and turn it away if it is not. It is important to note that Istikhara is only prescribed for matters deemed permissible by the Shari'ah and not for any issue that plainly opposes Allah's Laws.
After praying Istikhara, one should decide on a course of action and trust that if things do not work out, it is because it was not good for them. It is not necessary to have visions or dreams following Istikhara, and the decision should be made based on what the person's heart is inclined towards.
While some people believe that sleeping after Istikhara is necessary to receive guidance through dreams, this is just a misconception. There is no evidence that the answer to Istikhara is found only in dreams, and Allah can indicate the answer in any case. The person may receive a thought in their heart that the work they are trying to do will be better for their religion, livelihood, and life, or not.
Istikhara should be performed for at least three days and can be repeated until a decision is made. It is a powerful tool for decision-making, offering guidance and helping to build trust in Allah's wisdom and divine plan.
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It is not necessary to sleep after performing Istikhara
Istikhara is a prayer in Islam that seeks guidance from Allah (SWT) when faced with a particular decision. It is a powerful tool that allows individuals to seek guidance directly from the Almighty and find clarity in their choices. The word "Istikhara" itself translates to seeking goodness and seeking Allah's guidance in making the right decision.
There is a misconception that sleep is mandatory after performing Istikhara. However, there is no evidence that the answer to Istikhara is found only in dreams. Allah Ta'ala can indicate the answer to one's Istikhara in any case, as the thought comes into their heart that the work they are trying to do will be better for their religion, livelihood, and life or not.
While it is not necessary to sleep after performing Istikhara, it is believed that performing Istikhara before sleep holds a special place in the hearts of believers. This is because, when we sleep, our conscious mind takes a back seat, allowing our subconscious to connect with the divine realm more easily. Therefore, performing Istikhara before sleep is considered an opportune moment to seek guidance and find answers to our perplexing questions.
After reciting the Istikhara dua, one may lay down to sleep with complete faith in Allah's guidance. It is important to trust that He will reveal the answers and grant the clarity being sought. Remembering that Allah knows what is best for us is essential, even if it may differ from our initial desires.
Upon waking up from sleep, one may pay close attention to any dreams or intuitive feelings experienced. While dreams may not always contain direct answers, they can serve as signs and symbols that guide us in the right direction. However, it is important to note that the outcome of Istikhara may not always be immediate or obvious. Sometimes, the guidance comes gradually, and it is crucial to trust the process and have patience.
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The best time to perform Istikhara is before morning prayer or after Isha prayer
Istikhara is a sunnah prayer, which involves praying two non-obligatory rak'ahs followed by a specific du'a. It is performed to seek guidance from Allah when one is confused or cannot choose between permissible alternatives. There is no specific time to perform the Istikhara prayer, and it can be done at any time when prayers can be offered. However, the best time to perform Istikhara is before morning prayer or after Isha prayer.
The Istikhara prayer does not have to be performed before sleep. This is a misconception as there is no evidence that the answer to Istikhara is found only in dreams. The answer can be indicated by Allah in any case, meaning a thought may come to one's heart that the work they are trying to do will be better for their religion, livelihood and life, or not.
To perform the Istikhara prayer before sleep, two nafls are performed. In the first rakat, it is better to recite Surah Al-Kaafirun after Surah Al-Fatiha, and in the second rakat, it is better to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas after Surah Al-Fatihah. After that, salutations are exchanged and the Istikhara du'a is recited, and the dua is prayed for one's purpose.
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Istikhara can be performed for someone else
Istikhara is a Sunnah prayer, a powerful dua, and a method of seeking guidance from Allah. It is performed when one is confused or uncertain about a decision they have to make.
> اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِزيدٍ فِي دِينِه وَمَعَاشِه وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِه فَاقْدُرْهُ لَه وَيَسِّرْهُ لَه ثُمَّ بَارِكْ له فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لَه فِي دِينِه وَمَعَاشِهِ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِه فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنْه وَاصْرِفْه عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لَه الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِه
However, it is important to note that Istikhāra is an individual's personal seeking of guidance from Allah, and it is not typical to ask someone else to do this on their behalf. Istikhara is usually done for one's personal affairs, so it is better for a person to perform Istikhara themselves and ask Allah for guidance and help.
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Istikhara is a sunnah prayer
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his companions to perform Istikhara, just as he taught them chapters from the Quran. He said:
> "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job, he should offer a two rak'at prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): 'O Allah, I ask guidance from Your knowledge and I seek ability from Your power, and I ask You to grant me Your great bounty, for You have power and I have none. You know and I do not, and You know the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this job is good for my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, my present, and my future, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this job is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, my present, and my future, then turn me away from it and turn it away from me, and ordain for me what is good, wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.''"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also added that the person should then mention their need.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sleeping is not a necessary step of istikara.
Yes, you need to pray 2 rak'ah (units) of voluntary prayer (nafil) at night, after isha'a prayer.
Yes, istikara can be done for a decision you have already made but started to doubt.
Yes, istikara can be done for a decision that needs to be made on the spot. There is a shorter version of the dua that can be recited: "Oh Allah, help me to decide, and choose for me."
No, you cannot ask someone else to do istikara for you. However, if a decision affects multiple people, they can each do istikara for themselves.
