What Is the Du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for Marriage?

Allah the Almighty has prescribed Salat al-Istikhara for all Muslims, so that they may seek guidance in matters of uncertainty. Many people recite the du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for marriage or for any other important decision in their lives.

If you would like to know the du'a for Istikhara and how to perform Salat al-Istikhara, continue reading this article.

What Is the Du'a of Salat al-Istikhara?

This is a supplication reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that is recited before beginning any matter, asking Allah to grant what is best and to avert harm. Scholars mention that Salat al-Istikhara is not about seeing a dream or vision afterwards, but rather, its result is known by the ease and goodness Allah grants the servant after proceeding with the matter.

The du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for marriage is the same as the general du'a of Istikhara, with only minor differences in wording.

How to Perform Salat al-Istikhara:

The correct method for performing Salat al-Istikhara, as prescribed for a Muslim seeking guidance in a matter, is as follows:

• Perform wudu (ablution) properly.
• Then pray two rak'ahs (units of prayer) other than the obligatory prayers, reciting al-Fatiha in each rak'ah along with any other verses from the Qur'an.
• Some scholars have said that in the first rak'ah, one may recite Surah al-Fatiha followed by Surah al-Kafirun, and in the second rak'ah, Surah al-Fatiha followed by Surah al-Ikhlas.
• Afterwards, recite the du'a of Istikhara as reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

What Is the Du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for Marriage?

The du'a for Salat al-Istikhara for marriage is the same as the general du'a of Istikhara mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), in which he said:

"If any of you is concerned about a matter, let him pray two rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayer, then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For You have power and I do not, and You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in the immediate and the distant future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in the immediate and the distant future – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it. Then he should mention his need."

For Salat al-Istikhara for marriage, the supplicant makes the du'a as follows:

"O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For You have power and I do not, and You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and here, specify the matter: marriage) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in the immediate and the distant future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter (and here, specify the matter: marriage) is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in the immediate and the distant future – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it. Then he should mention his need (i.e., marriage)."

The Best Times to Perform the Du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for Marriage:

Scholars affirm that Salat al-Istikhara and its du'a for marriage can be performed at any time except:

• After 'Asr prayer until Maghrib.
• After Fajr prayer until sunrise.
• About fifteen minutes before Dhuhr.

The preferred time for performing the du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for marriage is during the last third of the night or before going to sleep.

How to Know the Result of the Du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for Marriage:

A person can discern the result of Salat al-Istikhara through the following:

• The ease they experience in the matter if it is good for them.
• Difficulty or the matter turning away from them if it is not good for them.
• A person may repeat Salat al-Istikhara if they remain uncertain about what to do.
• Feeling at ease or feeling uneasy about proceeding with the matter.
• Allah will inspire you with the right decision and clarity of thought after performing Salat al-Istikhara, so you are able to make the correct choice and follow the path that is best for you.

In conclusion, regarding the du'a of Salat al-Istikhara for marriage, know that whatever is good for you, Allah will make it easy for you, and whatever is not good, Allah will turn it away from you, even if you desire it.