FAQ

1. What if I still can't make a decision?

Then know that God simply hasn’t placed that inclination in your heart yet. This could be a sign that God ﷻ wants you to keep begging Him and asking Him for His Divine Help and Assistance in this process. Keep making duʿāʾ. But never lose hope. Even if you asked a thousand times with no response, that’s no reason to stop asking.

2. Can I pray istikhāra for someone else?

There is no precedent for this. It's supposed to be done by the one seeking the decision.

3. What if I'm not very practicing and don't feel like my du'a will be answered?

Allāh is accessible to all. Even the greatest sinner can turn back and ask Allāh. This is a sign of your sincerity and trust in Allāh.

4. What if the decision affects more than just me?

Then everyone involved should all be praying their own istikhāra.

5. Can I pray istikhāra even if I'm already confident in my decision?

Yes, because it'll increase the blessings in your actions. The companions [rḍA] would make istikhāra even for simple everyday things.

6. Can I recite the du’a without praying the two rakaʿāt?

Just the duʿāʾ [supplication] is sufficient. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly said to perform the two rakaʿāt, however you may recite the duʿāʾ by itself if it’s something you choose to constantly do, or if you have an immediate decision. So for a sister who is currently not praying, it is completely valid and acceptable for her to only make this duʿāʾ without the physical prayer.

7. What if I can’t read Arabic? I’m new/returning to Islamic practice and have real trouble pronouncing this du’a.

Say the duʿāʾ in English and know that Allāh understands your prayers to Him no matter what language it’s in. — And as always, pray to God from your heart. God wants to know that you are truly and sincerely begging Him and Him alone. If that’s best conveyed in a language other than Arabic, then sobeit.

8. If Allāh understands all languages and du’as, then why should I recite this in Arabic?

Because The Prophet ﷺ is the one who taught us this duʿāʾ and just by uttering the very words he ﷺ uttered, we get extra blessings. Additionally, his amazing companions [rḍA] would say that The Prophet ﷺ taught them this duʿāʾ like he ﷺ taught them parts of The Qurʾān.

9. I made a decision without performing istikhāra. Am I doomed?

No. Istikhāra is the slave’s way of begging his Lord for blessings in his decision, but his Lord is far too Generous to make His Blessings dependent upon the actions of His slave.

10. Is there a maximum number of times that this can be performed for one particular decision?

The Prophet ﷺ didn’t specify a number for us. So whether it’s once or a thousands times is all based on the individual. If you still haven’t felt an inclination towards a decision, keep asking. If you did feel an inclination, know that that is from God and accept it. There is no need to keep asking to be “sure” of the istikhāra.