Istikhara salah is a very easy-to-perform salah to seek guidance from Allah. You have to pray two rakats at any time but you have to recite the dua of istikhara.
It is perfect to offer it before sleeping, however in no way needed.
Like further duas, it is suggested that a person should face the qibla.
It is suggested to open the dua of istikhara, with the acclaim of Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet (PBUH) and to close it by in this manner, too.
It is detested to ‘hurry’ in looking for the answer to individual’s istikhara, like other duas, because the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Your prayers are answered, unless you hurry, claiming, ‘I prayed, but no answer came.’”
Dua for Salatul Istikhara
Looking for its signs
One should overhang individual’s own decision or disposition about the specific matter, and wait for Allah to display one a sign or to make stuff happen in a way that shows what to do. When individual is not clear about the outcome of the istikhara, the fuqaha indication that it is commend to repeat it, up to 7 times if essential (usually done in separate cases). [cf: Radd al-Muhtar].
It is not compulsory that you get a dream or even a “sense.” Rather, the istikhara is a salah that Allah director you to that which is greatest (khayr) for you. If you do the salah of guidance (istikhara) with the correct manners, the most significant of which is to truly entrust the stuff to Allah and dangle your own feelings, then Allah will make occasions clarify in the way that is the finest for your worldly and next-worldly wise affairs.
When can not pray
In all-purpose, when it is not likely to make the istikhara salah itself (such as when individual is out on the highway, or in individual’s menstrual period), it is suggested to simply read the dua. [Radd al-Muhtar]
You can perform it for everything
Istikhara offers the finest answer, for individual’s worldly wise and religious life (not worldly-wise life only), when joined with another vital sunnah: istishara (seeking complete guidance) of those well-intentioned of being referred and taking the sound means of measuring the state at hand.
Misconception 1: Istikhara is a salah in the marriage matters
Misconception 2: The signs come in dreams
Misconception 3: A sinful individual must ask a pious individual to offer the salah on his behalf
Misconception 4: Istikhara is only for the major decisions, not small matters