Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Power of Salat-ul-Istikhara

Elderly Muslim man praying on a rock

Salat al-Istikhara is a powerful tool

Power of Salat-ul-Istikhara: Abdul Sattar

Reprinted from Suhaib Webb's blog, first published May 24, 2008

The Abandoned Prayer

A few years ago, I came across a book that one of my relatives had called: "The Three Abandoned Prayers". In it, the author discusses three prayers that have been largely underused by many Muslims, but which hold great power. They were Salat-ut-Tawbah (The Salah of Repentence), Salat-ul-Istikhara (The Salah of Seeking A God-Guided Outcome in Times of Decision), Salat-ul-Tasbih (The Salah of Glorification of God).

No doubt, many of us have been heedless of these powerful tools for growing in our closeness to Allah, but one in particular which is important to re-think is Istikhara.

The procedure for this Salah, is best described by the hadith:

On the authority of Jaabir Ibn ˜Abdullah he said: The Prophet (S) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur'an. He (S) would say "if any of you intends to undertake a mater then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak'ah naafilah) of prayer and after which he should supplicate:

'O Allaah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favour, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allaah, if You know this affair -and here he mentions his need- to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it , and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.'"

Such a powerful tool we have been given, to admit our complete lack of knowledge, power, ability, and sight, and the absolute dominance of Allah (swt) in all these abilities. Such a great and mighty prayer, comprehensive in its outlook, its span of time, and its effect on our lives. Balanced within this world and the Hereafter. Something which only Divine Guidance could have brought us.

Many of us use this prayer, rightfully, to seek Allah's assistance in making decisions concerning school, getting a job, getting married, going to Hajj, or maybe even choosing a house. Unfortunately though, we have relegated one of the most powerful duas available, to only the most important decisions.

What we don't realize however, is that this prayer need not only be for the most important, crucial decisions in our lives. Why do those who are in Islamic Work, not use this prayer when making decisions in the organization? Why not use it when making difficult choices at work? For a specific project choice or topic choice for a paper in school? Why do we not use it every time we say: "Ya Allah" I wish you would just guide me to what is best for me! orYa Allah! I wish you would just show me what to do!

So many decisions that the activist brother or sister has to make. So many decisions at our workplaces. But in these decisions, we don't remember that much of our worry can be removed by leaving the decision to Allah (swt).

What made the Companions the unique Quranic generation, was that their entire thought process revolved around the Quran and around supplication to Allah. The relegated to Allah and His Messenger, every decision in their lives, after putting forth an intelligent and sincere effort at solving their problems

As the Prophet said: "Ad-Dua mukh-ul-'ibaadah".
Supplication is the essence of worship.

So next time we have a decision, big or small, that is of some consequence, remember -No one who ever consults with his Lord in sincerity, shall ever be displeased with His Decree.

Make use of istikhara! Once an Imam sat with me when I asked his advice and told me something about one of the leaders of the Muslim community. He told me: "Brother, every person who has success in the Deen, has a secret, some worship he does that sets him above and beyond and helps him towards Allah. You know what his [the leader's] secret it? Every time he travels, and I've seen him, he prays istikhara. He asks for guidance in his travels, and on the various affairs of his life, and he makes use of his times of travel to do it. So have some secret that you use also."

Secrets aside, istikhara is powerful. So inshAllah lets use it.

Misconceptions about istikhara:

1. Istikhara is not about having a dream. If one reviews the wording of the hadith, one finds that it is not asking for a dream, it is asking God to make one's affairs occur in the best way. Because one did not have a dream, a sign on a bus or a billboard go by them on the highway, does not mean it didn't "work".

2. You CAN have a dream or a sign, and this is totally possible. But one should recognize that this is primarily about asking Allah to take control and that one is relegating his will to Allah's will, knowledge, and infinite insight about what is best for you. And when you make this, you are finding the best way of putting your heart at ease, by asking Allah (swt) to handle your affairs with what He knows is best and finding comfort that the King of the Heavens and the Earth has your back, inshAllah.

3. Another dua of the Prophet we should all be aware of along this same line can be found here

http://www.makedua.com/display_dua.php?sectionid=27 (scroll to sixth from the bottom for Arabic text):

"O Ever Living, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, by Your mercy I seek assistance, rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye"

May Allah give us the best in this world and the hereafter.

Abdul Sattar

103 Responses »

  1. Please.
    create a space for married couple to celebrate marriage for after all that 1/2 our deen

  2. i would love to know how to perform the istikhara prayer please.. jazaak allaj khair.. i need it big time!!

  3. Zaaraa, see some of the links at the top of this website, like this one for example:

    http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/salat-al-istikhara-in-arabic/

  4. Jazaak allah khair brother Wael.. i found it after i posted my comment!! lol 🙂 thankyou!!! im just alittle uncertain about it, because it dont want to pray it wrong and make allah angry. Do i read a 4 rakaat namaaz and then read the istikhara dua in the last sajda or what?? just alittle confused on the method..... oi need allas help soo badly.. i have been reading other things but i think istikhara would b best me..

    • Zaaraa, you pray two rakaat. In the first one, after Fatihah you recite Surat Al-Kafiroon, and in the second one Al-Ikhlaas. After you complete the salat, you say the duaa of Istikhara.

      Sister, Allah would not be angry with you for doing the prayer wrong. Actions are judged according to intentions. Allah is forgiving and compassionate - Ar-rahman Ar-raheem.

      The istikhara duaa in English is:

      "O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."

      • Salam Brother Wael,

        Thank you for these words: <>
        Allah(SWT) knows best what is in our heart.

      • Wael please reply to my post.i have posted it separately. please consider it.im in dire need of help.

        • Assalaamualaikam

          Your post is currently in the queue and will be published in turn, inshaAllah. We would ask that you try to have patience, as there are many other people also in need of help. While waiting, maybe try looking through our archives to see whether advice there might be of help to you, and maybe give advice to others as well.

          Midnightmoon
          IslamicAnswers.com editor

        • sanahelp, I see the post you submitted and I prepped it for publication. However, as midnightmoon said, you will have to wait for it to be published in turn. Your situation is not more urgent than others who are ahead of you in the queue.

          Wael
          IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  5. hav perfprmed this salah and so has the person im hoping to marry
    it came out as a yes for both of us but just to make sure is it ok for sum1 else to perform it for us, as well?
    also, its not reli about gettin a yes or n o in your dream, yur asking Allah saw for guidence so im assumin if it is meant to be then He will bring you to it and if not thn He will tk yu away from it

    • Tanzila, yes it is okay to ask a religious person to perform Istikhara for you as well, but you should also perform it yourself.

      And your understanding of Istikhara is correct, alhamdulillah.

  6. salaams Muhammed

    from my understanding after makin salatul istikhara you may have a dream,
    however not always.

    the concept of this salah is to put trust in Allah (saw),and so if it is meant to be,HE will guide you both.

    form personal exparience i can tell you that I had once made this salah for someone i had intended on marrying, i woke up with no clear sign but i felt it was a no.
    not being sure i decided to perform it again.

    before i got the chance to do so, and as i had askd Allah(saw) to guide me, both him and i had stated to fight alot, we couldnt even talk to eachother,and in a week we separated.

    tryng to have sabbar, only a week later i met someone whom my family loves and treats me so well.
    we both performd istikhara namaz and it came out as a yes,
    and Allah(saw) has trully blessed our life and relationship and inshallah will get married soon.

    my point is that its not necessarily about a dream, and perhaps if she feels her mothers istkhara important her mother may reperform it?

    if it is a no then trust in Allah(saw), however if your families are happy with eachother and islamicaly you guide eachother then i dont think it is a no 🙂

    and if it was meant to be a no then you would be arguing alot by now and fighting.if this is not happening then tlak to her ask her mum to make it again,
    try understand eachother and dont worry, put all your trust in Allah(saw), and i promise you He will do wat is best for you, for Allah never fails in his promise, have sabbar.

  7. ASAQ,

    I want to marry a man who is a hindu but believes in the concept of one god. We broke up last month (when he was away) after which I performed the Istikhara. I got a dream and the answer was a "NO". I was fine with it but now that he's around me (not literally) I want to get married to him and ask Allah to show me a way and to reconsider his answer. We aren't fighting instead we're trying to find a way out....So, I dont know what to say except I hope I get married to him in the right manner 4 I love him!

    • salaam-alai-kum,

      dear sister Ashrin,
      i can understand how u must have felt that time, when u wanted 2 marry the hindu..i jus came across this site n saw ur post, i want 2 know wat happened, n did u get married to him or not, n if yes, then how did u work things out..plzz let me know ur state now..
      actually, now i also want 2 marry a hindu, n i know its not possible, so im praying all the time to Allah to give him the hidayet to accept Islam..n asking Allah to get me married 2 him in a halal manner, coz i cant imagine my life without him and moverover i cant imagine anyone else in my life other than him...

  8. AOA, know a days i am in a very stressfull condition my marriage is near to its end i have two sons from this marriage my wife name is sadia and from more then 9 years i am really strugling in this marriage we hardly live 15 months togather in different time periods ............ i need a help through Quran and sunnah .

  9. Salam everyone
    Just wanted to bring to attention that the 'Salat-al-Istikhara in Urdu' section does not have an Urdu translation under the Arabic dua. Instead what it says in Urdu is to the effect that pray this after two rakaat at night. And if you see the colors green and white in your dream, or a good inclination towards the issue it's a yes sign, and if you see red and black colors or a feeling of that issue's failure it's a sign of 'No'. So that is the archaic or general view I think, and not exactly what Istikhara is about.
    I tried an image search and here's one with the Urdu translation under the dua in Arabic:

    http://www.recipeapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/istikhara.gif

    • Sister abeer, thanks so much for telling me about that! I thought it was simply a translation of the Arabic duaa. I have updated it with the one from your link, and I added an English translation below that. Jazak Allah khayr!

      • Wa Iyyakum 🙂
        It wasn't your fault as the site claimed that it was the Urdu translation... well, people do overlook things, guess they did that. Thanks for the update.
        jazakum Allahu khieran

  10. can you read the dua if i can't memorize it

  11. I and also the man i wish to marry, are going to perform this.. inshallah allah will guide me.. after all:

    ''person must do what he is wholeheartedly inclined to do and feels good about doing and should not insist on doing what he has desired to do before making the istikhara. And if his feelings change, he should leave what he had intended to do, otherwise he is not completely leaving the choice of Allah, and would not be honest in seeking aid from Allah's power and knowledge. Sincerity in seeking Allah's choice means that one should completely leave what one oneself desired or determined."

  12. who can I ask to perform the istikhara for me? I live in London

  13. Salam,

    I have been longing to get married for a long time. But still i couldnt find any perfect match , so is this prayer gonna help me to find me a perfect person for marriage?? Please advice.

    • ahmedonline, Istikhara prayer is used when trying to decide on the right course of action in a particular situation. "Should I do this, or should I do that? Would this job be right for me? Would this move be good for me?" Etcetera.

      To find your match for marriage, make dua' to Allah to give you a good and righteous spouse who will be a joy to your eyes and comfort to your heart.

  14. My partner and his uncle did istikhara for us to get married and both came out as a 'yes'. But he told his parents about me and they refuse to accept because i am widowed with 2 children. So they have been saying all kinds of bad things about me, really hurtful things to steer him aways from me which is causing me to wana cut off all contact with him. Could they have misinterpreted the istikhara and this is a way for us to separate?

  15. salaam, please someone give me answer. . . im speaking to this guy and have known him for about 10months, the 1st 3 months where great and i did istikhara. . allhumdolillah it was postitve. . families are involved. . just waitng for them to come and ask for my hand in marriage. . .but i always come up with excuses for them not to come. . .after the 1st 3 months we just have been argueing constantly. .we argued in ramzan before opening our roza. . on both eids his birthday and mine. . now im having doubts thinking is it going to be like this if we marry! plz could you give some advice? salaam

  16. Asalaam alaikum dear brothers, i am very grateful for each and everything, May ALLAH reward you on earth and the hereafter. i am a Ugandan muslim girl who had someone i loved so much that we both agreed to get married. however, being a hafidh he rejected a few things like he was told to write a letter by my father to ask for permission for marriage. he said that it is harram, in islam it is not there. we ended up breaking up .but i feel he is the person i really love. what can i do? i love him because of his understanding of islam . however he had someone else bofore we met and i also had. i separated with mine and he did the same. however my ex still runs after metill date. doesn't islam allow to write a letter to the girl's parents asking for marriage? HAJARA

    • salam sis

      i dont think so...there is no need of such letter writing......actually your guy is right...nodoubt......

      Allah Knows best

      • salam sis

        i dont think so...there is no need of such letter writing......actually your guy is right...nodoubt......to prove the point .....Allahs messenger SAW never ask Hazrat Ali to write any letter to merry his daughter Fatima (RA) ...so which Hadith is your father refer to...plz let me know too

        Allah Knows best

    • It's ridiculous to say that writing a letter is haram. I think it is a perfectly reasonable request from your father. It sounds like your fiancee is a stubborn, unreasonable and arrogant person.

      To sister Avi, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was illiterate. So of course he would not have asked someone to write him a letter. But just because he did not do it, doesn't make it haram. "Haram" is not a light word to throw around here and there. You have to be careful and don't invent your own fatwas.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  17. thanks a lot for the information.

    1 doubt : after istikhara, can we pray and seek help to make a decision in our favor. since He has the power n we are mere human who can just seek His help. For cases relating to marriage, can we express what we wish to get.

  18. AOA,
    i need to know is istikhra is wajib if
    (Question deleted by Editor)

    • Maliha, Walaykumsalaam,

      Your question did not make sense, however this is not the place to ask it. Read through our links on Istikhara. If you need more advice please log in and submit your question as a separate post - this time taking care to add more details.

      Thank you

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  19. jazakallaahu khaira.. 4 da in4mation!

    im a girl who hopes to marry. from the time my parents started to find a partner for me, i started praying salathul isthihaara. last tuesday the groom came to see me.. the same nyt during my sleep i dreamt a black dog biting my thigh..

    (I deleted the rest of your comment. Please read our articles about Istikhara. Salat-al-Istikhara is not about dreams, or dream interpretation. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  20. I have a question about the Istikhara...

    (Please submit your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  21. hi i'm a happily married muslim woman. however, recently i have been thinking about ....

    (Remainder of question deleted by Editor - Please log in and submit your question as a separate post)

  22. Salaams. I really need guidance & help.

    (I deleted the rest of your comment. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com)

  23. Me and my family all did Istikhara a couple of weeks ago...

    (Remainder of question deleted by Editor)

    • Sulman1,

      Istikhara is not determined by a dream, please see this link on information about Istikhara: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/salat-al-istikhara-the-guidance-prayer/

      If you have any further questions, please log in and submit as a separate post.

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Then how do you know what decision to take?

        On the link that you gave me it says both

        "It is not necessary that you get a dream or even a "feeling". Rather, the istikhara is a prayer that Allah guide you towards that which is best (khayr) for you. If you do the prayer of guidance (istikhara) with the proper manners, the most important of which is to truly consign the matter to Allah and suspend your own inclinations, then Allah will make events unfold in the direction that is the best for your worldly and next-worldly affairs."

        ...and

        "One should be pleased with what Allah chooses for one, and not seek to follow one's whims after the answer to one's supplication becomes clear."

        How do you know what Allah chooses for you?

        • Ive heard a lecture on this, and it seems like Allah will make the right decision more apparent to you, and things leading to that decision become easier, and your heart gravitates more towards that.

          If you do not get any inclinations towards either decision, you can continue to do isthikara, and know that whichever outcome works out, is/was the best for you, and remember that what seems negative now, might be positive for us in the long run.

          I know this answer is not as satisfying as having something slap you across the face, but thats why we are a people of faith.

  24. can i ask quistion in here??
    i dnt no much where to post..
    Editors note: Comment deleted. Please log in and submit your question as a post.

  25. SALAM!! i have post somthng about istikhara and still no one has answered it please tell me am i in right place did i post in ryt place because i cant see anyanswer, allah hafiz

    • There is a queue, so it'll be about a month before your post is published. Sorry!!

      Sisterz
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  26. ok fine thanks you very much allah hafiz 🙂

  27. A.aleikum w w dear brothrs and sisters! SisterZ I'm in the same situation I want married wid hindu boy and I'm prayng to ALLAH give him hidayat to him acpt islam,he like and admire my religion! InshALLAH our duas ll be acpt by ALLAH.bt tell I saw dat ur post was last year,wat abt now?he convrt?or u stil making dua?

  28. How many days should one perform istikhara? I know it's not about dream interpretation, but my mother performed istikhara for me for a potential proposal I received and she only did it for 1 day as she saw a dream the first night. She saw the potential prospect and myself standing infront of a brand new house in which he was working hard to to build (he was building the enterance door).

    I'm confused what this possibly indicates :S

  29. slm alykm brothers n sisters,
    plz assist me,

    (Salma, please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  30. Salaam

    Do you have to say the Istikhara in Arabic (I can read Arabic so it is not a problem, but I am not sure when to interject the arabic with what I am performing the Istikhara about - i.e. where do I state my question) as the English version has a clear gap in which to insert your problem.

    JazakAllah!

  31. Asalaamulikum wa rahmutAllah wabarakatuhu
    I'm wondering: If you dont know how to pray (because you are not practising the religion 100%), but you read the Salat-ul-Istikhara before going to sleep. Does the prayer still count?

    • Sara, rather than worrying about Salat al-Istikhara, you need to learn how to perform the fard salat, and start doing them. Salat is a pillar of Islam and is one of the main things separating a Muslim from a disbeliever. Istikhara is a voluntary prayer, while the 5 prescribed salat are required.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  32. I had been in a relationship with a guy A for six years

    (Remainder of the question has been deleted. Please log in and write your question as a separate post, thank you. - IslamicAnswers.com Editor)

  33. Salam brothers and sisters.
    I need help to know the right and wrong... I did estekhatara for long time now, I had some problems I didn't knew what is going my future to be like..
    The boy I should marry is having some family problems, he was named to some one else because his family did not knew about me, and now that they know about me they say but its late cause we already named to the other girl..
    I did estekhatara many time, last time i asked Allah to show me if he is good for me,if i have to fight or move on, then i dreamed that im living with him and my other dream was that i gave him cake to eat.. now I wanted to do estekhatara for last time, I asked Allah show if he is good for me to help e with this and if he is bad for me to help me to forget him and to remove it from my life,,, then a had a good dream I dreamed the moon and sun in the same night and in the same sky... what does this mean??
    I don't get it is this a good sign??

    • Mina, the problem is that you kept your relationship with this boy secret. You say his parents did not know about you - what about your parents, do you they know about him? How can you expect anything good and real to come from a secret relationship?

      Istikhara is not based on dreams. You can read our articles about Istikhara on this website. However, if I were to interpret your dreams I would say they are all obviously positive and encouraging. So I suggest that you go with your parents to visit the boy's parents, and let them know that you are serious about marriage. If they still refuse, then it's time to move on and let him go, Insha'Allah.

      If you need further advice, please log in and write your question as a separate post.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  34. Asalam aleikum d cleric ones, i am a muslim lady & a good citizen of Nigeria so i involved in double dating and to me the guys are responsible and they have both introduced me to their family and each family have accepted me as their wife to be. And i'm in love with them though i'm still undergraduate student in Nigeria. Please my brothers and sisters in islam help me out.

    • Wa Alaikum as Salam Hajarat,

      First of all, we are no cleric, but servants of Allah hoping for His Mercy.

      Sister, dating isn't allowed in Islam, so you should stop that for Allah's Sake.

      For choosing the correct man, you may need to perform Salatul Istikhaarah (find the links on how to perform the Salah at the top of the page). I pray that Allah Helps you with it. For any further advise, please submit your post separately.

      Thank you.

      Abu Abdul Bari
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  35. Salam,

    I was just wondering if there is a special way to pray Salatul Tawbah, since all the other prayers have special Dua/Tasbeeh.

    Will appreciate a response.

    Thank you.

    • I dont think there is any special way except the niyah of taubah which one should make when he/she starts. Its otherwise just like any other nawafil. I perform just 2 rakats of salatul taubah after isha, u could perform more as per ur capacity. After salam ask Allah for forgiveness.
      if there is any other way, i would b equally interested to know about it.

  36. you know the following dua, can you read the English translation for it,
    If someone doesn't know how to read the holy Quran. And lastly I was told by someone that you are supposed to pray salat al istikhara after every salat meaning 5 days a day.

    '"O Allah, I ask You to show me what is best, through Your knowledge, and I ask You to empower me, through Your power, and I beg You to grant me Your tremendous favor, for You have power, while I am without power, and You have knowledge, while I am without knowledge, and You are the One who knows all things invisible.

    Allahumma inni astakhiru-ka bi-'ilmi-ka wa astaqdiru-ka bi-qudrati-ka wa as'alu-ka min fadli-ka 'l-'azim fa-inna-ka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu wa Anta 'Allamu 'l-ghuyub :

     

    O Allah, if You know that this undertaking is in the best interests of my religion, my life in this world, and my life in the Hereafter, and can yield successful results in both the short term and the long term, then make it possible for me and make it easy for me, and then bless me in it.

    Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha 'l-amra khairun li fi dini wa dunyaya wa akhirati wa 'aqibati amri wa 'ajili-hi wa ajili-h :fa-'qdir-hu li wa yassir-hu li thumma barik li fi-h :

    If not, then turn it away from me, and make it easy for me to do well, wherever I may happen to be,  and make me content with Your verdict, O Most Merciful of the merciful.'"

    wa illa fa-'srif-hu 'an-ni wa yassir liya 'l-khaira haithu kana ma kuntu wa raddi-ni bi-qada'i-ka ya Arhama 'r-rahimin

  37. I have been performing Salat-ul-Istikhara for 5 days now and i had 3 dreams in a row. I know its not always a dream so therefore im not soo sure. I have been praying this salat because there is someone i would like to marry in the future but i wanted to know if this person is the right person for me. Basically in 2 out of the 3 dreams i saw water and in one of them i saw colours which were green white blue and i remember being happy. My second dream i saw water but i cant remember it properly but i feel like it was dark. And the last dream it i think but not 100% sure it involved the person concerned and i saw the colours grey and navy. Please can you help me with this and what this may mean as im not too sure.

    • Salam'alaykum,

      Continue praying and make sure that you are performing it exactly the way our prophet taught us.

      • Do you think i may be performing it wrong. What if after the 7th time i pray Salat-ul-Istikhara and im still not sure, what can i do then? Also i read that you have a feeling in your heart which directs you the right way. however im still quite confused either way.

        • I don't know whether you are performing it right or wrong, look it up this page. Its best to recite the du'a in arabic by understanding its meaning and not merely reading.

          It is not necessary for you get a dream or even a feeling. Rather, Allah may guide you towards that which is best for you in this world and the next. Our prophet warned us to never hasten in seeking answers. Continue praying istikhara even more than 7 days. When you do istikhara you will see your path to your choice becoming either easy or hard and you should know by then.

          Imam al-Nawawi mentioned that before the istikhara prayer, one should seek advice from those whose knowledge, wisdom, and concern one is confident about the matter (like marriage in your case). Ibn Hajar al-Haytami mentioned that one of the benefits of this is to further distance oneself from the desires of one's own egotistic inclinations.

          Never make a decision while in a state of confusion sister. Just relax and leave the matter to Allah.

          • As-salamu alaykum

            As you told me before I should continue to pray salat ul is salatul istikhara and I did that. Lastnight I had a dream that I was on a really big ship and as I was looking out I saw clean water and then just saw a glimpse of water coloured green and blue. It looked like the colour of the dead sea. Then some water came into the room I was standing in i think it came up to my waist I got a bit scared and I walked towards this window and stepped out on to a dry place. Please can you tell me what this means.

            Jazakallah

  38. Assalam ! I have been observed isthkhara for many time, i had a dream that i was playing with the man that i intend to marry we kisses each other in my dream, he told me my dream that he love me, i couldn't see any sign of seriousness in this man because he as many ladies.What can i do?

    • Adegoke, the result of Istikhara is not depending on dreams. It sounds like this man you desire is not a good match, as he is a womanizer. Leave him be and do not marry him.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  39. Salam,

    Can you please put a link on how to pray salatul tawbah?

  40. I have a question.
    I was going through very difficult matrimonial problems.
    My in-laws had forced me out of the house, my husband wasnt talking to me and my parents tried to arbitrate the discussion but they were not even replying.
    I was at my parents house waiting.. And, i was thinking they will divorce me.
    During that time I prayed intikhara every day for about three weeks.
    I had a dream I left one suit there.
    Besides, that in my heart i became very calm. Started studying for my proffesional exams and planned to go to other country for a job.
    Eventually, the marriage ended in a divorce in few weeks from them they didnt try to arbitrate or solve.
    All my things were back except that one suit that was left there.
    I applied for job and the process went well, alhamdollilah.
    Although, I was heart broken and devastated I still did well on my exams which was nothin less than a miracle.
    Can you deduce any meaning of the istikhara prayer and the dream?
    Does it mean it was good for me or it was from Allah or was it just the flow of situation.
    I would really appreciate your take on the matter. So, it helps me build my faith more.

    • sara, I do not know the meaning of the dream. However, it sounds like you have gone on with your life and are doing well, Alhamdulillah. Keep on being strong and living your life.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Do you think the istikhara had any effect on the way my life turned out to be?
        I did not want to be divorced but living there was total oppression and I couldn't take it anymore.

        • Allah knows best but I would say yes, it sounds like your current situation is the result of your Istikhara. Who knows, maybe Allah has a good man written for your future who will treat you with kindness and respect.

          Wael
          IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  41. I have been praying salat al Istikhara for nearly a week now to see if someone is the right person for me to marry, and i had this dream where a family member murders someone and it the body was put in a bag and there was blood coming out of it. However I've had dreams totally contradicting this one and where I'm really happy with this person however we are not married. I keep seeing signs that remind me of the person concerned. I know my intention should grow stronger in terms of what i should do, however i feel extremely confused. Please can you tell me what this means

    • Salaams,

      We do not interpret dreams on this site. As our istikhara articles outline, it's not necessarily about dreams anyway.

      -Amy
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Thank you for replying back. I have read so many things regarding salat u Istikhara, some say its about dreams some don't. Please could you help clear this up for me, how can one know what a sign is.

  42. I read the istikhara dua after tahajjud prayer (concerning marriage) First the dream was abou positive things. Later in the dream itself i dreamt of blood, dead animals, illness . Cound you please help me admin. Should i consider this dream? JazakAllah

    • Has, Salat-al-Istikhara is not dependent on dreams. That is a common misconception. Please read all our articles on Istikhara to get a better understanding.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  43. JazakAllah Wael!

  44. Need to ask one thing...(remainder of comment deleted by editor)

  45. Salam!

    I want to marry a girl, ,, and we both performed Istikhara.
    can you kindly tell me if the following dreams are showing a YES or NO or what?

    She saw her sister giving her a white dress ad telling her that they will wear this when they go to perform HAJJ

    I saw that one of my friend took me along and showed me his white car.

    can you kindly tell what this indicates?

    • Suhail, Istikhara is not dependent on dreams or dream interpretation. Please read our other articles about Istikhara to understand it properly.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  46. Assalamalaikum

    my sister got a marriage proposal so she wants to perform istiqara. but the groom is a adopted child, as we have to take the names of groom's parents, whose name shall we take, the name of the parents who gave birth or the names of the parents who adopted him?
    plz reply

  47. Salaam...

    [Editor's note: Please submit your question as a new post for publication rather than as a comment on an existing post. That way it can be published and answered in turn, inshaAllah.]

    • It's not necessary even to have a feeling. After praying Istikhara, choose what you feel is best, and trust that Allah is guiding you in response to your prayer.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  48. Assalamwalekum
    what if my heart is already leaning towards one choice. is it wise then to perform an ishitikhara because I may not be very happy if it comes alternate to what I want (but have doubts). or is my understanding of it wrong. even if it comes opposed to what i want, i should follow it through as Allah's decision.

  49. I had offered salatul istakhara for my marriage...

  50. Salaam

    • Please register and submit your question as a separate post, and we will answer you in turn, Insha'Allah.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

      • Could you please tell me how i can do this?

        • Salamu alaikum, brother wael i have a question pls its been a while i have been performing istikhara prayer but my marriage has not been cancelled, and the date has been fixed, its 7april but still we have little misunderstandings is it normal pls, and its just for calls, mostly because of his work, he goes to work early 7am and returned 10pm, he's an architect, by the time he comes home he's already tired and he sleeps, i get annoyed... My question here is pls is it a good sign or bad but he always apologizes and sometimes will even make a promises that everything will be ok in short while, but we leave in seperate states, so what should i do pls, i keep on praying to Allah to guide him always and make him wonderful spouse for me, i need your advice pls... Allah knows the best....

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