“Istikhara” - Prayer for Guidance
We are humans, powerless in thissphere of life, knowledgeable only enough to survive. So why shouldn't we turnto Allah and seek His perfect help whenever we require it? Allah responds tothe call of His servant when he asks for guidance, and we are after all seekingto do something in order to please Him.
Istikhara means to ask Allah toguide you to the path best for you concerning an affair with two halal options.In matters that are waajib (obligatory), haraam (forbidden) or makrooh(disliked) there is no need to pray Istikhara. Salaat-ul-Istikhara (Prayer forGuidance) should only be used for matters that are mubaah (allowed) or inmatters that are mustahabb (liked or encouraged), in which there is a decisionto be made as to which one should be given priority (i.e. get married or go tograd school).
Many wrong notions existconcerning Istikhara. Many Muslims will pray, read the Dua e Istikhara, and run to bed expecting to see a dreamshowing them their future wife, what her favorite color is, and some otherweird fantasy. That is not the purpose of this salaat (prayer).
The results of an Istikhara cantake many forms. Basically, you go by your feelings, whether you now feel more favorableor not. Also, you may notice events have changed, either for or against you.Note that you must follow the results of an Istikhara, because not doing so istantamount to rejecting Allah's guidance once you've asked for it. Also, youshould firstly clear your mind, not have your mind already decided, and then afterwardsfollow the results willingly.
It is a Sunnah that, if one mustchoose between permissible alternatives, one may pray two non-obligatory Rakah,even if they are of the Sunnah prayers or a prayer for entering the mosque, andso on, during any time of the day or night, and to recite therein whatever onewishes of the Quran afterreciting Surah Al-Fatihah.Then one praises Allah and send salutations to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and recites the supplication in theHadith below.
The description of Salaat-ul-Istikhara (Prayer for Guidance) was narrated by Jaabir ibn Abdullah Al-Salami (R.A.) whosaid that The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) used to teach his companions toperform the prayer of Istikhara for each and every matter just as he used toteach them the Surahs from the Quran He used to say, "If anyone of youintends to do something, he should offer a two rakat prayer other than thecompulsory prayers, and after finishing it, he should say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَبِعِلْمَكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ،فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ، وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُالْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ- خَيْرٌ لِي فِيدِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُلِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّلِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاصْرِفْهُعَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِيبِهِ
Allaahumma 'innee'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka minfadhtikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'annahaathal-'amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wama'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Faqdurhu leewa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'annahaathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [orsay] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdurliyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi
Translation:
O Allah, I seek thecounsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and Ibeseech You for Your Magnificent Grace. Surely, You are Capable and I am not.You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if Youknow that this matter [then mention the thing to be decided] is good for me inmy religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: inthis life and the afterlife] - then ordain it for me and make it easy for me,then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in myreligion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: inthis life and the afterlife] - then distance it from me, and distance me fromit, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and help me to becontent with it. Whoever seeks the counsel of the Creator will not regret itand whoever seeks the advice of the believers will feel confident about hisdecisions. Allah said in the Qur'an: "And consult them in the affair. Thenwhen you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah."
(Sahih Bukhari: 7390)
The Prophet (S.A.W.), added that then the person should mention hisneed."
Salaat-ul-Istikharaah (Prayer forGuidance) is just two rakats of a non-obligatory prayer, prayed at anytimeduring the day, with a specific duaat the end. While reciting the dua,you should be thinking about the situation you want to be advised about withpure intentions and from the bottom of your heart. And Allah says that wheneverhe guides a heart aright it can never be misguided. Afterwards, you should“have a good feeling” about one of your options. Whatever option you feel isbest right after you say the duashould be your decision. If you’re still in doubt, you can repeat.
Imam An-Nawawiholds that:
"After performing the Istikhara,a person must do what he is wholeheartedly inclined to do and feels good aboutdoing and should not insist on doing what he had desired to do before makingthe istikhara. And if his feelings change, he should leave what he had intendedto do, otherwise he is not completely leaving the choice to Allah, and wouldnot be honest in seeking aid from Allah's power and knowledge. Sincerity inseeking Allah's choice, means that one should completely leave what he himselfhad desired or determined."
Some people mistakenly wait for adream to give a clear sign as to what decision to make, but this is not true,and often times it never really happens. In fact, dreams may lead you away fromwhat Allah wants you to do, as Iblis (Satan/Devil) might try to deceive you inyour dreams.
Salat-ul-Istikhara is foreverybody. It’s a way for all of us to implore Allah for divine guidance andmercy. It is yet another invaluable resource from Allah to keep us on thestraight and narrow Siraat Al-Mustaqeem. The Prophet (S.A.W.) told all Muslimsabout Istikhara, not just the scholars. Despite this gift, too many of us takethe advice of our friends and parents, or accept the norms of our society andact without ever wondering what Allah wants us to do. We must stop looking tothe people of this world for guidance and we must begin to consult Allah. Allahsays:
"Put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves thosewho put their trust (in Him)." (Surah Al-Imran: 3: 159)
Source: http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/Istikharaah.htm