Istikhāra (Seeking Goodness): Seeking Blessings and Guidance from Allāh

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would impart upon us the method of performing Istikhara, which entails seeking Allah's guidance to determine the most appropriate course of action for any given task or endeavor, much like how he taught us the verses of the Qur'an. He would instruct, "When any one of you is deliberating over a decision, let them perform a two-unit prayer, distinct from the obligatory ones, and then say (after the prayer): 'O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek strength from Your power, and I ask for Your immense blessings. You have the ability, whereas I do not. You know, and I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the matter here] is good for my faith, my livelihood, and my ultimate fate—(or, if it is better for my immediate and future needs)—then decree it for me, make it easy for me to attain, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is harmful to my faith, my livelihood, and my ultimate fate—(or, if it is worse for my immediate and future needs)—then divert it away from me and me from it. Ordain for me what is best, and make me content with it.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) further advised that the individual should then specify their need." This practice of Istikhara embodies a profound reliance on Allah's wisdom and guidance in navigating life's decisions, ensuring that one's choices are aligned with their faith and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of seeking divine assistance and trusting in Allah's knowledge of what is ultimately best for each individual.

Introduction

Seeking goodness, known as Istikhāra in Arabic, is a profound act of seeking blessings and guidance from Allāh ﷻ when faced with making significant decisions in life. This spiritual practice involves a set of steps aimed at seeking divine assistance and clarity in making choices that align with one's faith and well-being.

Steps of Istikhāra

Istikhāra involves a systematic approach towards seeking divine guidance, which includes the following steps:

1. Setting the Intention

Before initiating the Istikhāra prayer, it's crucial to establish a sincere intention to seek Allah's guidance and blessings for the decision at hand.

2. Performing the Prayer

The Istikhāra prayer comprises offering two units of voluntary prayer (Rakaʿāt), demonstrating humility and supplication before Allah.

3. Reciting the Supplication

Recite the specific Duʿāʾ al-Istikhāra, expressing one's deepest desires and seeking Allah's wisdom and guidance. This supplication serves as a heartfelt plea for divine assistance in making the right decision.

Duʿāʾ al-Istikhāra

The supplication (dua) of Istikhara is a heartfelt invocation to seek Allah's guidance and blessings when making important decisions. Here is the dua of Istikhara: Arabic: 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 (mention the matter) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (mention the matter) شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي (Transliteration: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu wa anta 'allamu al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri, faqdirhu wa yasirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdir li al-khayra haithu kana thumma ardini). English Translation: "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 from Your immense bounty. For indeed You have power, and I am powerless; You have knowledge and I know not; You are the Knower of the unseen realms. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the matter] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair, then ordain it for me, facilitate it for me, and bless me with it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it."