الاستخارة بالقرآن الكريم

Istikhara via the Holy Qur'an

10-20 minutes

When: When uncertain about a permissible matter (after consultation and reflection have not clarified the right choice)

Istikhara is seeking the best from Allah when one is uncertain about a course of action. Mafatih al-Jinan records several methods; this is the protocol for performing istikhara by opening the Holy Qur'an. Unlike the dua of Istikhara, this amaal is the step-by-step way of consulting the Qur'an itself.

Source: Mafatih al-Jinan by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi — Section on Istikhara, sub-section: Istikhara via the Holy Qur'an

Categories: Seeking Needs, Istikhara

  1. Step 1 · Instruction

    Reflect, Consult, and Form the Intention

    Istikhara is performed only after one has thought carefully about the matter and consulted those of knowledge and experience (mashwarah). It is for choosing between two or more permissible options, not for matters already declared obligatory or forbidden by the Shari'ah.

    Perform wudhu, face the qiblah, and form the intention to seek Allah's guidance regarding the specific matter at hand.

  2. Step 2 · Dhikr · Repeat 3 times

    Recite Salawat Three Times

    Before opening the Qur'an, recite the salawat upon Muhammad and his Household three times:

    اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

    'Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa aali Muhammad'

    'O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.'

  3. Step 3 · Dua

    Recite the Dua of Istikhara

    Recite the dua of istikhara, asking Allah to choose what is best for you in your religion and your worldly life. It is linked below, with its Arabic, transliteration and English line by line.

    Dua Istikhara

  4. Step 4 · Instruction

    Recite the Istikhara Invocation Before Opening the Qur'an

    Take the Mushaf (Qur'an) in your hands, place it on your forehead, and recite:

    اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَتَفَأَّلُ بِكِتَابِكَ وَأَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ، فَأَرِنِي مِنْ كِتَابِكَ مَا هُوَ مَكْتُومٌ مِنْ سِرِّكَ الْمَكْنُونِ فِي غَيْبِكَ.

    Transliteration: 'Allahumma inni atafa''alu bi-kitabika wa atawakkalu 'alayka, fa-arini min kitabika ma huwa maktumun min sirrika al-maknuni fi ghaybik.'

    English: 'O Allah, I take an omen from Your Book and place my trust in You; so show me from Your Book that which is hidden from Your secret kept in Your unseen.'

    Then recite Surah al-Fatiha once and Surah al-Ikhlas three times, and send salawat upon the Prophet (s) and his Household.

  5. Step 5 · Instruction

    Open the Qur'an and Read the First Verse on the Right-Hand Page

    Open the Qur'an at random. Look at the first complete verse on the right-hand page (the page that opens on your right side). That verse — together with its meaning — is your guidance.

    In one narration from Imam al-Sadiq (a), one counts six pages and looks at the seventh line of the seventh page; in another, one looks at the very first verse on the page that opens. Both methods are recorded in Mafatih al-Jinan; the first verse on the opened page is the most commonly practised.

  6. Step 6 · Instruction

    Interpret the Verse

    Interpret the verse according to its plain meaning:
    • If the verse contains glad tidings, mercy, paradise, success, the righteous, or commands of good — it is favourable; proceed.
    • If the verse contains warnings, punishment, the disbelievers, hellfire, prohibitions, or blame — it is unfavourable; refrain.
    • If the verse is neutral (e.g. historical narrative, legal ruling unrelated to your matter) — repeat the istikhara at another time, or seek a scholar's interpretation.

    Do not perform istikhara repeatedly on the same matter without need; the first result is the answer. Trust Allah's choice and proceed with reliance (tawakkul) upon Him.