Istikhaarah is to seek guidance from Allah when one is faced with a problem
to which no solution is apparent.

Whenever a person is faced with a difficult problem, or becomes hesitant in
making a decision and his knowledge of the matter is insufficient to guide
him then after seeking advice from trusted friends he should turn to Allah
and beseech His grace. He should willingly and with an open heart and mind
supplicate for divine guidance and ask for direction so that the problem is
solved in his own best interest. The Du’aa at such an occasion is called
Istikhaarah.

Istikhaarah is in fact an invaluable teaching of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) with which the Muslims have been favored. This blessing
could give solace to many for all times to come. It is related in the Hadith
that Rasulullah (SAW) use to teach the Istikhaarah to the Sahaabah (RA) like
the Qur’an is taught to children. In another Hadith it is stated that ‘He
does not fail who makes Istikhaarah and he does not regret who makes
Mashwarah (consultation).

In the Masnoon Istikhaarah, after one has carried out his responsibility as
best as one can, one should hand over the entire matter and oneself to the
limitless knowledge of Allah Ta’ala. By resorting to Istikhaarah one is now
retrieved of making a decision on ones own.

Whenever counsel is sought from a respectable and experienced person, it is
expected that he will give good advise and assist to the best of his
ability. Similarly Istikhaarah is to seek counsel that the all-Knowing and
Merciful Allah? Once Istikhaarah is made then Allah Ta’ala will surely guide
him to do what is best for him.

Now there can be no perplexity. Only that will happen which Allah Ta’ala
wills and which is good for ones own sake though one may not be able to see
it immediately. It is not necessary that one must experience or see an
evident change or vision. Allah Ta’ala alone knows what is best for His
servants. It is related in the Hadith that ‘Success and good tidings for the
son of Aadam (Insaan) is in performing Istikhaarah and his misfortune lies
in not making Istikhaarah’.

METHOD OF ISTIKHAARAH

When making Istikhaarah begin with performing two Rakaats Nafl Salaat. Then
with all sincerity recite the following Du’a.

Allaahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika
wa-as’aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa
ta’lamu walaa a’alamu wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. Allaahumma in kunta ta’lamu
anna haadhal-amr khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-aaqibat amriy,
fa’qdruhliy wa-yassirh liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta’lamu anna
haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy was-’aaqibat amriy. Fa
asrifh annee wa-srif ‘anhu. Wa aqdurh liyal khayr hayth kaana thumma
a-rdhiniy bihee

Trans: O Allah!! Behold I ask You the good through Your Knowledge, and
ability through Your Power, and beg (Your favour) out of Your infinite
Bounty. For surely You have Power; I have none. You know all; I know not.
You are the Great Knower of all things.

O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter be good for my faith (Deen), for
my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for
me, and make it easy for me, and bless me therein.

But if in Your Knowledge, this matter be bad for my faith (Deen) for my
livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from
me, and turn me away therefrom, and ordain for me the good wherever it be,
and cause me to be pleased therewith.

While reciting this Du’aa when one reaches HAADHAL AMR (THIS MATTER) at both
places he should think of his problem.