Let’s be real, how many times have you prayed istikhara and then woke up thinking, Was that Allah guiding me… or was it just my late-night doom-scrolling talking? If you’ve ever convinced yourself that a sudden feeling of peace means “Yes, marry him” or a weird dream about a cat means “Run, sis, run”, this one’s for you.
Istikhara is a powerful tool for seeking Allah’s guidance, but sometimes, our emotions hijack the process. So, how do you know if it’s a divine sign or just your inner monologue playing tricks on you? Let’s break it down.
1. Istikhara Is a Dua, Not a Magic 8-Ball
First things first: istikhara is not about seeing flashing neon signs in your dreams. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to pray two rak’ahs and make a specific dua, asking Allah to guide us to what is best (Bukhari). That’s it. No mystical visions. No angelic whispers. If you’re expecting a cinematic “aha” moment, sorry, but this isn’t a Netflix drama.
2. Did You Do Your Homework First?
Let’s say you’re thinking about taking that job offer or saying yes to a rishta. Before jumping into istikhara, did you actually research? Islam encourages using our intellect alongside prayer (Quran 3:159). If you didn’t do the bare minimum of fact-checking and still expect a dream to spell it out for you… well, that’s just wishful thinking, my friend.
3. Are You Mistaking Anxiety for an Answer?
Sometimes we pray istikhara and immediately feel “uneasy.” But is that divine guidance… or just your overthinking tendencies? If you’re someone who spirals after sending a text message, then maybe it’s not Allah saying no, it’s just your nervous system acting up. True guidance from istikhara brings a natural ease over time, not panic attacks.
4. Did You Already Make Up Your Mind?
Let’s be honest, are you really waiting for Allah’s guidance, or are you just looking for validation? If you already have a strong leaning and are only praying istikhara to feel less guilty about your choice… that’s not how this works.
5. Are You Relying on Dreams Too Much?
Yes, sometimes Allah sends guidance through dreams. But not every dream is a divine sign. If you dreamed about water, that doesn’t automatically mean “Go with the flow.” And if you dreamed about a red flag, maybe it was just a red flag. The Prophet (ﷺ) reminded us that dreams can come from three sources: Allah, Shaytan, and our own subconscious (Muslim). So don’t overanalyze your nap-time visions.
6. Did You Actually Give It Time?
We live in the age of instant gratification, but istikhara isn’t Amazon Prime. Sometimes Allah’s guidance unfolds gradually. If you’re expecting an overnight revelation, patience, my dear. Keep observing, reflecting, and trusting the process.
So, What’s the Solution?
If you’re struggling to differentiate between istikhara and your own emotions, try journaling your thoughts before and after praying. Need help with that? Check out the Istikhara Reflection Journal, a guided journal designed to help you track your thoughts, prayers, and outcomes with Islamic reminders. It keeps you grounded so you’re not just running in emotional circles.
Final Thought: Are You Trusting Allah or Just Your Feelings?
At the end of the day, istikhara is about surrendering to Allah’s wisdom, not forcing an answer that aligns with your personal preferences. So tell me, have you ever struggled with knowing if it was istikhara or just your own feelings? Drop your experiences in the comments, I’d love to hear your stories!