Salat al-Istikhara is a prayer through which a Muslim asks Allah to guide him toward what is best when facing an important decision.
It is performed when a person is considering a permissible matter and needs to choose between options, such as marriage, travel or employment.
The purpose is to ask Allah to facilitate what is good and turn the person away from what may be harmful.
How to Perform Salat al-Istikhara
Istikhara is performed by praying two voluntary units of prayer, separate from the obligatory prayers. The worshipper recites Al-Fatihah and whatever portions of the Quran are easy for him in the two units.
After completing the prayer, the person recites the well-known Istikhara supplication reported from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
The supplication asks Allah for guidance through His knowledge and power and includes the following meaning:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and seek ability through Your power. If You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, livelihood and outcome, decree it for me, make it easy for me and bless it for me. If You know that this matter is harmful for me, turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree what is good for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it.”
When reaching the phrase referring to “this matter,” the person should have the specific issue in mind, such as marriage or travel.
Do You Have to See a Dream After Istikhara?
A Muslim should not consider seeing a dream a requirement for knowing the outcome of Istikhara.
The purpose of Istikhara is to ask Allah for what is best, entrust the matter to Him and then proceed while taking appropriate practical steps.
If something is good, Allah may facilitate it and make its circumstances easier. If it is harmful, Allah may turn it away from the person or turn the person away from it.
Therefore, an important decision should not be based solely on a dream. Likewise, not seeing a dream does not mean that the Istikhara was ineffective.
What Does a Dream About the Qibla Mean?
The question included a dream in which the person asked a female friend, who might potentially become his wife, to show him the direction of the Qibla, and she pointed him toward the correct direction.
It is not possible to definitively state that this dream represents a specific divine message or that it is a direct result of Istikhara.
Dreams can have different causes and interpretations, and a specific dream should not be treated as conclusive evidence when making a major decision such as marriage.
The dream therefore should not be used by itself to determine whether the relationship should continue.
What Should Someone Do When Uncertain About Marriage?
If a person is considering marriage to a particular woman, Istikhara should be combined with realistic consideration of the relationship.
This includes looking at religious commitment, character, compatibility, responsibilities and the circumstances surrounding the potential marriage.
If there are serious problems between the two people that could damage the relationship, those problems should be addressed honestly rather than leaving the decision entirely to dreams or uncertain signs.
A person considering marriage should also ensure that the relationship is conducted within appropriate Islamic boundaries.
Istikhara Does Not Require a Supernatural Sign
One common misunderstanding is that Istikhara must be followed by a dream, a specific feeling or an extraordinary sign.
Istikhara is fundamentally an act of supplication, reliance upon Allah and seeking His guidance, followed by taking the appropriate practical means.
For marriage decisions, a Muslim should therefore combine Istikhara with consultation, careful consideration of the relevant circumstances and an honest assessment of compatibility.
After that, the person can move forward with trust in Allah and acceptance of whatever outcome Allah facilitates.
How do I pray Salat al-Istikhara?
Pray two voluntary units of prayer and then recite the Istikhara supplication, keeping the matter you are seeking guidance about in mind.
Does Istikhara have to be performed before sleeping?
No. Istikhara does not have to be performed before sleeping. It can be performed as a voluntary prayer at an appropriate time.
Do I have to see a dream after Istikhara?
No. Seeing a dream is not a requirement of Istikhara and is not a necessary sign of its outcome.
Does dreaming about the Qibla mean that marriage is the right choice?
Not necessarily. A dream alone cannot establish that a particular marriage is the correct decision.
What should I do if I am uncertain about marriage?
Perform Istikhara, seek sound advice, evaluate religious commitment, character and compatibility, consider the practical circumstances, and then proceed while relying on Allah.
