Method of performing Istikhaarah Salaah

Question:-

What is the method of performing Istikhaarah if one intends relocating to another area? Please explain the correct way and the Duas to be recited.

Answer:-

The method of Istikhaara is absolutely simple.

1. Firstly, a person should recite two Rakaats of Salaah.

2. Thereafter, he should recite the Dua of Istikhaarah which has been mentioned in the Ahaadeeth. The Dua is as follows:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّى أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِى فِى دِينِى وَمَعَاشِى وَمَعَادِى وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِى فَاقْدُرْهُ لِى وَيَسِّرْهُ لِى وَبَارِكْ لِى فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًّا لِى فَاصْرِفْنِى عَنْهُ وَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّى وَاقْدُرْ لِىَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِى بِهِ

N.B. In the above Dua, there are two places where the words are light blue in colour. We have also underlined these two places, in case the colour is not discernible. On reaching these words, one should pause and mention, or bring to mind the particular decision one intends undertaking.

3. After completing the above, one should follow the inclination of the heart. If there isn’t any good in going ahead with the envisaged work, Allah Ta’aala sometimes places some obstacle to deter one from that work. That will be an indication that the proposed work should be avoided.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 12 Dhul Hijjah 1443 / 12 July 2022