Title: Some Details regarding the Istikharah Supplication Question: I have read many articles about Istikhara . Unfortunately different sources gave different views on it that leaves me confused. Also the majority of it does not provide the dalil for its stand. So, could you give what you know is the best view. I know this will go without me saying it but please back up whatever views that you have with Quran & Hadith ( Saheeh or Hasan ) and/or other relevant dalil . Is Istikhara done for only important matters? To help in strengthening a decision that is being made? Matters that you are not sure i.e. if you are confident of the option, there is no need for Istikhara . Could/should Istikhara be repeated?. Can Istikhara be done with any sunat prayers including sunat fajr & tahajjud ? After Asr prayers? With only the du`a i.e. without the prayers in certain situations? The du`a is read at the end of tasshahud or after the prayers? The matter to be asked is mentioned after the word "amr" or after the end of the du`a ? Could Istikhara be done in Ajam language? Could/how Istikhara be done with decision to be made by more than one person e.g. in a jemaah or a family? How could one be sure that whatever inclination one has after the Istikhara is from Allah or from one's own natural inclinations before Istikhara ? aw Malaysia Answer: As I have clarified in a few of my earlier responses [1] , Istikharah means to ask for good. Thus, Istikharah supplication is, in fact, a supplication requesting God for 'good' in the life of this world as well as during the Hereafter. Keeping this spirit of the Istikharah supplication in perspective, let us now take a look at your specific questions. My answers to your questions follow: Istikharah can be done for ALL matters, just as God's guidance and help should be sought in ALL matters; The supplication of Istikharah primarily seeks God's guidance in arriving at the right decision. From a slightly different perspective, therefore, the Istikharah supplication may indeed indirectly strengthen one's decisions, while still seeking God's guidance and help in arriving at the correct decision; I would recommend the Istikharah supplication even when a person has decided to take a particular decision. This is in the same spirit as we would pray to God to bless us in our decisions and to keep us away from taking any decisions, which God knows to be against our well being whether from the perspective of the life of this world or from that of the Hereafter; Yes. Istikharah prayer should be repeated, just as we would keep praying for God's help and guidance and would not restrict it to once or twice only; Istikharah prayers may be offered with any prayers or even without any prayers. The method of offering Istikharah prayers is not prescribed or determined by the Shari`ah ; Yes. Please see Point no. 5; Yes. Please see Point no. 5; Yes. Please see Point no. 5; The person may simply keep the matter about which he is asking God for guidance in his mind and not mention it in words; Yes. We can offer any supplication in our native language; When the decision is to be taken by a group, then all the members of the group may offer the Istikharah supplication or anyone of them may offer this supplication; The result of Istikharah is not merely in the shape of a sign or a dream. It can be in any other form - as for instance, a complete change in circumstances, after which only one of the various available options remains possible. Thus, a person may continue to pray to God, till the time that he is satisfied with any one or the other options available to him. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad June 5, 2002 [1] Please refer to my earlier responses to related questions titled: " The Text of the Supplication for Istikharah ", " The Concept of Istikharah ", " Istikharah and Marriage " and " The Value of Istikharah - Can one Proceed against any Indications after Istikharah ".