Some Rulings Regarding The Intention And The Sunnah Prayer For Al-Istikhaarah:a. It is clear from Ḥadeeth that the person should perform a two-Rak`aat voluntary prayer due to the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “he should offer a two-Rak`aat prayer”. Therefore, the Sunnah of al-Istikhaarah cannot be done by praying just one Rak`ah or any odd number of Rak`aat. [1]
c. The Ḥadeeth indicates that the intention of performing an obligatory prayer cannot be combined with any other intention. This is why he ﷺ said in the Ḥadeeth: “other than the obligatory prayer.” Therefore, it is not valid to perform al-Istikhaarah with the two obligatory Rak`aat of Fajr.
d. His ﷺ saying: “other than the obligatory prayer,” indicates that al-Istikhaarah is valid with the two Rak`aat of Taḥiyyatul-Masjid (prayer upon entering the Masjid) or any other Sunnah prayers, as they are included in the general meaning of: “other than the obligatory prayer.”
e. The scholars are of the opinion that one can perform al-Istikhaarah with the Sunnah prayers, as per the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “other than the obligatory prayer.” This Ḥadeeth suggests that the intention behind performing the al-Istikhaarah prayer and the two Rak`aat of other voluntary prayers can be combined. The overlap between some acts of worship is permissible under specific conditions outlined in the books of Fiqh (Islaamic Jurisprudence).
f. Before performing al-Istikhaarah, it’s essential to have a clear intention that precedes the Ṣalaah. The Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “If one of you intends to do something, let him offer two Rak`aat prayer,” suggests that the person should make the intention for al-Istikhaarah before starting the prayer and maintain it till its completion. Therefore, if someone starts to pray two Rak`aat of Sunnah and then intends to perform Du`aa al-Istikhaarah after having prayed, the general meaning of the Ḥadeeth suggests this is incorrect. The intention for al-Istikhaarah should be made before beginning the two Rak`aat.
g. This Ḥadeeth does not specify which Surahs should be recited while offering the two Rak`aat of al-Istikhaarah. Therefore, the recitation remains general and is not limited to any specific Surah or Aayah.
h. The apparent meaning of the Ḥadeeth supports the view that the supplication for al-Istikhaarah should be made after concluding the prayer with Tasleem, because he ﷺ said: “So let him offer two Rak`aat and then say,” which suggests that he ﷺ separated the two Rak`aat from the supplication.
NOTES:[1] The words of the Prophet ﷺ referring to two Rak`aat of al-Istikhaarah indicate that it cannot be fulfilled with a prayer of one Rak`ah, like Witr, nor with a prostration of recitation (Sajdah al-Tilaawah), nor with the funeral prayer (Salaah al-Janaazah). The same ruling applies to Taḥiyyatul Masjid, the Sunnah prayer after Ṭawaaf, or any other Sunnah prayer where the Prophet ﷺ instructed to offer two Rak`aat. Example: A person enters the Masjid, prays only one Rak`ah Witr, and then sits down. In this case, the person has not fulfilled the obligation of Taḥiyyatul Masjid.
Al-`Aynee رحمه الله said:
قَوْله: (فليركع رَكْعَتَيْنِ) ، دَلِيل على أَن السّنة للإستخارة كَونهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا تجزىء الرَّكْعَة الْوَاحِدَة فِي الْإِتْيَان بِسنة الإستخارة
“The statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Let him offer two Rak`aat”, indicates that the Sunnah in al-Istikhaarah is to pray two Rak`aat; therefore, one Rak`ah is not sufficient for al-Istikhaarah.” [Umdatul-Qaaree Sharḥ Ṣaḥeeḥ al-Bukhaaree (7/224)]
Al-Shawkaanee رحمه الله said:
قَوْلُهُ: (فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ) فِيهِ أَنَّ السُّنَّةَ فِي الِاسْتِخَارَةِ كَوْنُهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَا تُجْزِئُ الرَّكْعَةُ الْوَاحِدَةُ
“The statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Let him offer two Rak`aat”, indicates that the Sunnah in al-Istikhaarah is to offer two Rak`aat. So, one Rak`ah is not sufficient.” [Nail al-Awṭaar (3/88)]
