About Istikhara

Linguistically, istikhara means "to seek the good, to ask for what is best." As a religious term, it is the worship of asking God for goodness regarding a decision or action through a two-rakat prayer followed by a specific dua.

The Prophet (PBUH) taught the Companions the istikhara dua as he taught them surahs of the Quran. In a hadith narrated by al-Bukhari he said: "When one of you intends to undertake a matter, let him pray two rakat other than the obligatory prayer, then say..."

The istikhara prayer is two rakat. It is preferably performed after the night prayer and before sleep, in a state of ablution.

In the first rakat: Recite Surah al-Fatiha, then Surah al-Kafirun.

In the second rakat: Recite Surah al-Fatiha, then Surah al-Ikhlas.

After saying salam, recite the istikhara dua. Hold the matter you intend in mind during the dua.

The dua taught by the Prophet (PBUH) is (in translation):

"O Allah, I seek goodness from You by Your knowledge, and I seek strength by Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For You have power, and I have none. You know, and I know not. You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if (the matter intended) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if it is not good for me, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree what is good for me wherever it may be, and make me content with it."

The dream that follows istikhara is interpreted by its dominant color and emotion. In the Islamic tradition:

• White, green, yellow: Indicate the matter is good and beneficial to undertake.
• Black, red, dark colors: Indicate it is not good and should be reconsidered.
• Sense of peace and openness: Positive sign.
• Distress, fear, tightness: Negative sign.

Not remembering colors clearly, or seeing the overall scene as clear and bright, is generally read positively. The istikhara dream differs from classical dream interpretation; the overall atmosphere matters more than specific symbols.

Istikhara may be performed once, or up to seven times until clarity comes to the heart. Some narrations recommend doing it three nights in a row and following the inclination of the heart at the end of the third night.

What matters is focusing not on a single dream but on the clarity that comes to the heart at the end of the process.

1. Istikhara is not only for major decisions; it can be performed for any matter you are uncertain about.

2. Istikhara is not divination; it is not foretelling the future but seeking goodness from God.

3. Seeing a dream is not a "condition" of istikhara; the inclination given to the heart is also accepted as the answer.

4. Although having someone else perform istikhara on your behalf is common, the Prophet's teaching is that you do it for yourself.