Allah Almighty says: {And consult them in the matter} [Āl ‘Imrān: 159] He also says: {And their affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves.} [Al-Shūra: 38] i.e. they mutually consult one another.
It is recommended to seek guidance from Allah Almighty (through Istikhārah) and consult the people of wisdom, righteousness, and trustworthiness over any matter about which one is in doubt and confusion as to whether he should do it or abandon it.
1) Although the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was the most judicious and wise among people, yet he would consult his Companions regarding some issues; and the same approach was adopted by his successors after his death. From this the Muslim Ummah should learn.
2) For a person to be consulted, he should be faithful, religiously committed, judicious, experienced, and deliberate.
718/1 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach us Istikhārah in all matters just as he would teach us a Qur’anic Sūrah, saying: “When one of you intends to do something, let him perform two Rak‘ahs other than the obligatory prayer and then say: ‘Allāhumma inni astakhīruka bi‘ilmik wa astaqdiruka biqudratik wa as’aluka min fadlik al-‘azhīm, fa’innaka taqdiru wa lā aqdir, wa ta‘lamu wa lā a‘lam, wa anta ‘allām al-ghuyūb. Allāhumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadha al-amra sharrun lī fī dīni wa ma‘āshi wa ‘āqibati amri – or he said: fī ‘ājil amri wa ājilih – fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anh, waqdur liya al-khayra haythu kana thumma irdini bih (O Allah, I consult You for Your knowledge, and I seek strength from You for Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. Indeed, You are capable and I am not, and You know and I do not, and You are the All-Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in relation to my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, (or he said) my immediate and future affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad in relation to my religion, my livelihood, or the outcome of my affairs, (or he said) my immediate and future affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good whatever it may be, and make me pleased with it).’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Istikhārah: Seeking guidance, when needed, as to which of two matters is better.
1) It is recommended to perform Istikhārah concerning any doubtful matter, no matter how insignificant it may appear.
2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to teach this prayer to his Companions, given the immediate and future benefits it accords. Likewise, a preacher should be keen to teach people what is beneficial for them.
3) A person should refer all matters to his Lord and not rely on his own strength or power, for true strength and power belong to Allah Almighty. Doing this is an indication of one’s happiness and success.
His words “and then say” signify succession and lack of hurry. Hence, the supplication should be made after the prayer; i.e. he prays two Rak‘ahs then make this supplication. Some scholars, however, said that a person should make the supplication before Taslīm, for the end of prayer is a position for supplication while the person is turning towards his Lord.
In Fat'h Al-Bāri Sharh Sahīh Al-Bukhāri, Al-Hāfizh Ibn Hajar al-‘Askalāni (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:
“His words ‘and then say’ apparently indicate that the supplication is to be made after the prayer. Yet, it is also possible that it is valid to make it during prayer. This order may signify that prayer is commenced before making supplication, for the place of supplication in prayer is during prostration or Tashahhud. Ibn Abi Jamrah said: ‘The wisdom behind putting prayer ahead of supplication is that the purpose of Istikhārah is to combine the goodness of this world and goodness of the Hereafter, and so a person needs to knock on the door of the Almighty Lord, and nothing can do this more effectively and successfully than performing prayer, given that it comprises great exaltation and praise of Allah as well as standing in need before Him.’”