Istikharah is the prayer you make when facing a choice — two rak'ahs followed by a dua asking Allah to guide you to what is good and turn you from what is not. Behind it stands a truth the Qur'an states plainly: you may dislike something that is good for you, and love something that harms you, while Allah knows and you do not.
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَKutiba alaikumulqitaalu wa huwa kurhullakum wa 'asaaa an takrahoo shai'anw wa huwa khairullakum wa 'asaaa an tuhibbo shai'anw wa huwa sharrullakum; wallaahu ya'lamu wa antum laa ta'lamoon“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”Qur'an 2:216 · Surah Al-Baqara (Saheeh International)
The cited verse is the reason for istikharah: we may dislike what is good for us and love what harms us, so we ask the One who knows to choose for us.
Pray two rak'ahs, then say the istikharah dua naming your decision, and move forward trusting what unfolds. Noor has the full dua and steps.
Ask Noor can walk you through how to pray Istikharah, the full dua in Arabic and transliteration, and how to read the outcome.
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