I am planning on performing Istikhara soon and want to gain some knowledge about it. I want to know of anyone that has performed it and what was the outcome. Like did you get a dream a feeling? what kind of dream or feeling was it? What did you perform it for? Apparently there is a special dua. Willl I have to learn the dua off by heart or can I read it off a piece of paper. What time period is the best to perform it? Im totally new to it. Thanks in advance.
Re: Istikhara
It is said that best time to perform an Istikhara is after Isha, right before you sleep. When I do my Istikharas I don't talk to anyone after that, neither do I do anything else that'll distract me from thinking about the matter I am doing the Istikhara for. I sleep right away so the last thing I am thinking about is that particular matter. I feel this helps me get results quicker.
You do not have to learn the dua by heart. You can either print it, or just use your cell, laptop, tablet whatever it is to read the dua off it. Google "Istikhara Ki Dua" & you should be able to find it.
I have done it for my marriage, traveling plans, possible move to another state, Hubby jee's work, starting my own business. Currently doing one & asking Allah to guide our family towards a good neighborhood where we can buy a house. You can practically do an Isktikhara for anything. Also keep in mind that no matter how you feel about the matter, try to stay in a neutral state of mind for the Istikhara & you should be fully prepared to follow whatever comes through too. Because unlike us only Allah knows best.
I have had dreams as well as strong feelings. You'll InshaAllah know that feeling when you do one.
I am not a particularly religious/spiritual person but I swear by Istikharas. So for me the outcome is always great. Only because I always do it with the feeling that whatever happens, Allah will make it happen for the best.
Also sometimes you might not see things following through right away. Don't think too much about that. For instance when I did the Istikhara for moving to a different state. The Istikhara came out positive, but we ended up moving after 11 months.
If you have any more questions, feel free to post.
Good luck.
Re: Istikhara
Also while reading the dua when you come to the part "Haaz Al Amar" (which will happen twice) thing of the matter in question.
Re: Istikhara
I also need to ask is it permissible to read the dua in English? I can read Arabic but not sure how accurately I actually read it. In my normal dua's I sometimes read the Arabic version if I have it, but then I double it up by reading the same dua again but in English so then I can be a hundred present sure of my words and what I have said. Is that ok to do??
Re: Istikhara
Don't know if its permissible or not. Maybe someone else who is more knowledgeable can shed some light on this matter. I always read the Dua in English after reading it in Arabic. Since all it does is helps us understand what we reading & asking for better, I don't see any harm in it.
Re: Istikhara
could you please tell me for how many times do u do istikara? I read online for 7 days..is it correct. could you also please post the dua. Thank you
Re: Istikhara
SO8 You can do Istikhara for as little as three days to as much as even 10 days. If it takes me longer than 7 days to get a “feeling” or see a dream, I start over for another 7 days & if even that doesn’t work, which has happened once in the past, then I just let things fall in their place. Like go with my initial plan or what seems right to me & let things happen as they happen. If the matter doesn’t fall through, that means there was some wisdom behind it that only Allah knows, & if it does go through then you know that this is the best in “deen” & duniya" for you.
For all you know, you might read the Istikhara prayer & have a change or heart or a much “determined” heart within one day. That often happens with me, where all of a sudden inclination towards a particular matter grows too much overnight. Or once there was a job opportunity we were excited about & in our mind it just seemed the best thing at the time, so while I was being neutral while reading the Dua, a part of me was convinced that the Istikhara was going to result in a positive answer. It was amazing to see that the next morning when I woke up. I was least concerned with that opportunity. That’s an example of a very strong change of heart. I still continued to do the Istikhara for another two days just to be sure. But, sure enough, even though we thought that was it. We had something even better waiting for us.
Here is a link with some information & the Istikhara dua. It also has an English translation at the bottom.
How to do (perform) Istikhara with dua. Arabic Text with Urdu and English Explaination - Istakhara
Let me know if this answers your questions. Good luck!
Re: Istikhara
so for each day read 2 rakha namaz for istikhara? Thank you so much @Bint_e_Naeem
Re: Istikhara
Yes. Preferably right before you go to bed. Read two Rakas Nafil namaz & then read the Istikhara Dua, then finish off with your own Dua you make after namaz. You are welcome : )
Re: Istikhara
got it Thanks again 
@Bint_e_Naeem