Istikhara is a special prayer in Islam where you seek guidance from Allah (God) when making important decisions in life. Whether it’s about marriage, a job, moving to a new place, or any significant life choice, Istikhara helps you ask Allah to guide you toward what is best. After performing this prayer, many Muslims wonder about the signs that show whether their decision is right or not. This blog will explain the signs of Istikhara in simple language.

What Is Istikhara?

Before diving into the signs, let’s first understand what Istikhara is. Istikhara is a two-rakat (unit) prayer where you ask Allah for help in making a decision. The word “Istikhara” comes from Arabic and means “to seek the good.” This prayer is a way of asking Allah to lead you toward what is best for you, in this world and the hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recommended this prayer to anyone who is unsure about a decision.

In addition to the prayer, there’s also a supplication (dua) that you say after completing the two units of prayer. The dua goes as follows:

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, and I have none. And You know, while I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (and here you mention your concern) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my affairs in the hereafter, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and bless me in it. But if in Your knowledge, this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my affairs in the hereafter, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”

This dua is crucial because it’s the heart of Istikhara. You’re essentially asking Allah to guide your heart toward what is best for you.

How Istikhara Works

Istikhara isn’t about receiving a direct answer or a clear sign. It’s more about trusting Allah to guide you subtly, whether through your feelings, circumstances, or ease and difficulty in your chosen path. Sometimes people expect an immediate dream or vision, but that’s not the only way Istikhara works. Allah’s guidance can come in different forms, and it’s important to stay patient.

Let’s explore the signs you might experience after performing Istikhara.

Signs After Performing Istikhara

Feeling of Peace or Contentment, One of the most common signs after Istikhara is a feeling of peace or contentment about the decision. If you feel calm and satisfied after making your choice, it could be a sign that Allah is guiding you toward what is best. This feeling might not come immediately, but over time, you may feel more confident and at ease with your decision.

• A Sense of Discomfort or Unease On the other hand, if you feel uneasy or anxious about the decision, it may be a sign that it’s not the right choice. Sometimes, you may feel unsure or even negative about the option you were considering, even if it seemed like a good idea at first. This discomfort is a form of guidance from Allah, helping you avoid something that may not be good for you.
• Events Falling into Place Easily Another sign of Istikhara is when things start falling into place smoothly and effortlessly. If you find that everything is working out easily without much struggle, this could be an indication that Allah is guiding you toward the right path. The ease with which things happen may be a positive sign that you are making the correct choice.
• Obstacles and Challenges On the contrary, if you face many difficulties and challenges after performing Istikhara, it might be a sign that Allah is guiding you away from that decision. While challenges are normal in life, if things continuously go wrong and problems keep arising, it could be a way of turning you away from something that isn’t beneficial for you.
• Changes in Circumstances Sometimes, the signs of Istikhara appear through changes in your external circumstances. You might notice that things around you start shifting in ways that make your decision clearer. These changes could either push you toward the decision or away from it.
• Dreams Many people associate Istikhara with dreams, and while dreams can sometimes be a way of receiving guidance, they are not the only sign. If you have a clear dream after performing Istikhara, it might help guide your decision. However, it’s important not to rely solely on dreams. They can be influenced by your thoughts and emotions.
• Advice and Counsel from Others Sometimes Allah guides us through the advice and counsel of others. After performing Istikhara, you may receive good advice from a friend, family member, or even someone you didn’t expect. If their advice resonates with what you were feeling or thinking after Istikhara, it could be a sign from Allah.

Patience And Trust In Allah’s Plan

It’s essential to remember that the signs of Istikhara may not always be immediate. Sometimes, Allah’s guidance unfolds gradually, and you need to be patient and trust in His wisdom. After performing Istikhara, continue making efforts to gather information, seek advice, and think carefully about your decision.

Istikhara is not a magic solution but a means of connecting with Allah and seeking His guidance. Whether you feel clear signs or not, trust that Allah knows what is best for you and will guide you to what is good in both this life and the hereafter.

What If You Don’t See Any Signs?

If you don’t experience any clear signs after Istikhara, don’t worry. This can happen, and it doesn’t mean that Allah isn’t guiding you. In such cases, continue to make a decision based on your own judgment, while trusting that Allah will make the outcome good for you. Istikhara is about asking Allah to bless your decision, so no matter what happens, know that you have sought His guidance.

Conclusion

Istikhara is a beautiful way to ask Allah for help in making important decisions. The signs of Istikhara can come in many forms feelings of peace, unease, ease, obstacles, changes in circumstances, dreams, or advice from others. Be patient and trust that Allah will guide you to what is best, even if the signs aren’t immediate or obvious.