Istikhara

Istikhara is a prayer offered when a person is torn between two matters and does not know which is better.

What it means for me: One answer says the prayer is performed when one is hesitant between two matters and does not know which is better. Another calls it a recommended act. It says the Prophet, peace be upon him, taught it to his companions as he would teach a surah of the Quran. A third answer calls it a specific supplication. It lists among the impediments to acceptance: doubt and testing, a heedless heart, and haste.

Example: A man has two job offers and cannot tell which is better. He hears the word istikhara. He wants to know what it is and when it is prayed.

Where it appears in rulings: On timing, one answer says the prayer should not be performed during times when prayer is prohibited. Another allows it in those times if delay would cause the matter to be missed, such as travel after Asr. This entry reports these answers and adds no ruling of its own.

Appears in about 1,300 answers on this site.