The Istikharah Prayer: Complete Procedure According to Imam Nawawi (Al-Adzkar)

Everyone inevitably reaches a crossroads in life. Whether it involves choosing a job, deciding on a life partner, or making a major business decision. Doubt often haunts us: “Is this the best choice for me?”

In Islam, we are not allowed to walk alone in the darkness. The Prophet ﷺ taught a beautiful solution known as the Istikharah prayer. It’s not just a ritual, but a means of turning to Allah for guidance, asking to be chosen the best option.

This time, we will thoroughly dissect the chapter of Istikharah directly from its primary source, namely the legendary book Al-Adzkar by Imam An-Nawawi (pages 119-120). Let’s learn how the procedure for the Istikharah prayer was actually taught by the Prophet.

What Is Istikharah?

Etymologically or linguistically, the dictionary Al-Ma’ani explains that Istikharah (اِستخارة) is a noun (masdar) derived from the verb istakhara (اِستَخارَ). Its basic meaning is ṭalab al-khayr fī al-shay’ (“seeking goodness in a matter”), which means “to ask or seek goodness in something.” Therefore, someone who performs istikharah (mustakhir) is someone who is striving to find the best aspect of a matter they are facing.

From a fiqh perspective, Al-Ma’ani defines Istikharah Prayer as a worship consisting of two rak’ahs performed by a Muslim when faced with a choice between two matters. The essence of this prayer is to supplicate to Allah Azza wa Jalla with a specific supplication (duʿāʾ makhṣūṣ) to ask for guidance to be directed towards the option that contains goodness.

Further in the definition of terminology (musthalahat), istikharah is described as a request to Allah for Him to choose what is best for His servant. This process is carried out through a complete act of worship, namely a two-rak’ah sunnah prayer followed by reciting a special istikharah supplication¹.

Regarding the Istikharah prayer, Imam An-Nawawi in Al-Adzkar explains a sahih hadith narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah r.a. Interestingly, Jabir said that the Prophet taught this prayer “as he would teach a surah from the Qur’an.” This shows how important this prayer is in all matters (fi al-umuri kulliha), not just when in dire straits or confused about a life partner.

Translation of Hadith and Original Texts from Al-Adzkar

To preserve the authenticity of knowledge, the following is a direct quote of hadith number 341 from the book Al-Adzkar along with its translation:

Arabic Text (Hadith No. 341)

٣٤١ – روينا في ” صحيح البخاري ” عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما قال: ” كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعلمنا الاستخارة في الأمور كلها, كالسورة من القرآن, يقول: ” إذا هم أحدكم بالأمر فليركع ركعتين من غير الفريضة, ثم ليقل: اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك, وأستقدرك بقدرتك…

(The complete prayer text continues in the Prayer Readings section below)

Translation and Explanation

From Jabir bin Abdullah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If one of you intends to do a matter, then perform two rak’ahs (pray) besides obligatory prayers…”

The important points of Imam Nawawi’s explanation regarding this hadith are:

1. Flexibility of Intention: This two-rak’ah prayer does not have to be specifically prayed with the intention of “Istikharah Prayer” only. According to scholars quoted by Imam Nawawi, the intention of Istikharah can be combined with sunnah prayers rawatib, tahiyatul masjid, or other sunnah prayers.
2. Recitation of Surah: It is recommended to recite Al-Kafirun in the first rak’ah and Al-Ikhlas in the second rak’ah after Al-Fatihah.
3. Supplication Timing: The istikharah supplication is recited after completing the prayer.

Complete Istikharah Prayer Reading (Arabic, Latin, and Meaning)

This is the most core part. Many people search for the reading of the istikharah prayer and its meaning. Here is the wording of the prayer taught by the Messenger of Allah according to the narration in Bukhari as written in the book:

Arabic Text:

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ , وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ , وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ , فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ , وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ , وَأَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ , اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (.. تذكر حاجتك…) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ , وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاَصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ

Latin Transliteration: Allaahumma inni astakhiiruka bi ‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as-aluka min fadhlikal adzhiim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lamu, wa anta ‘allaamul ghuyuub.

O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the consequences of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless me in it.

And if you know that this matter (mention your need here) is evil for me in my religion, my life, and the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me goodness wherever it may be, then make me content with it.

Meaning: “O Allah, indeed I ask You to choose for me with Your knowledge, I ask You for ability with Your power, and I ask You from Your great grace. Indeed You are the Most Powerful and I am powerless, You are the All-Knowing and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen.”

O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the matter] is good for me in my religion, my life, and my end result, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless me in it.

However, if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my life, and the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree goodness for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it.”

How to Perform the Istikharah Prayer: Step by Step

To make it easier to practice, here is the order:

1. Perform ablution (wuḍūʾ) properly.
2. Intention for Sunnah Prayer (can be a specific intention for Istikharah prayer or combined with other sunnah prayers).
3. Takbiratul Ihram and reciting Al-Fatihah.
4. First Rakaah: Reciting Surah Al-Kafirun.
5. Second Rakaah: Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas.
6. Conclude the prayer with salām.
7. Reciting the Prayer: Begin with praise to Allah (Alhamdulillah) and blessings upon the Prophet (Shalawat Nabi), then recite the Istikharah prayer above, and conclude again with blessings (Shalawat).

Is Istikharah Permissible Without Prayer?

Imam An-Nawawi provides an important note for those who are unable to pray (for example, women who are menstruating or experiencing postpartum bleeding). He said: “If someone is prevented from praying, they may perform istikharah with supplication alone.”

So, a physical impediment is not a reason to not ask for guidance from Allah. Simply recite the prayer with devotion.

Clarifying a Common Myth: Does Istikharah Require a Dream?

Many misunderstand that after performing istikharah, we will immediately dream of seeing a certain color or future events. In reality, Imam An-Nawawi explained a different concept.

In his explanation, he wrote: “After performing istikharah, a person should proceed with what their heart feels spacious (calm/inclined) towards.”

So, the answer to the Istikharah prayer takes the form of peace of mind (insyirah as-sadr) and ease of process. If the matter is good, the heart will be calm and the path will be made easy. If it is bad, the heart will be restless or there will be many obstacles that turn us away from the matter.

Other Hadiths About Istikharah (For Further Insight)

In addition to the primary hadith above, Imam Nawawi also includes two other narrations in this chapter, but with a specific note regarding their status:

Hadith No.	Brief Content	Status (According to Nawawi)
342	Short prayer: “Allahumma khir lii wakhtar lii” (Choose the best for me).	Weak (Dhaif)
343	Recommendation to repeat the Istikharah prayer 7 times.	Sanad is debated (tends to be weak)

Even though the hadith about repeating 7 times is weak in its isnad (chain of narration), the message is good: we need sincerity. Don’t just pray once and then despair. Continue to ask until the heart is truly firm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Istikharah Prayer

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding this topic:

Hopefully, this explanation from the book Al-Adzkar will help those of you who are confused. Remember, when we entrust matters to the All-Knowing Being, we will never be disappointed. Happy to practice the istikharah prayer and may Allah grant you the best choice!