Praise be to Allah.
Yes, you can pray Salat al-Istikharah (the prayer for guidance) for any permissible matter in which you need Allah’s help to make the best choice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught his companions to pray Istikharah in all matters, saying:
“If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say the following supplication…”
The supplication includes asking Allah for what is best in this world and the Hereafter, and seeking guidance if the matter is good for you or seeking to be turned away if it is not.
This prayer is valid for both significant and seemingly minor decisions, provided they are permissible in Islam. For example, you may perform Istikharah when deciding on matters such as marriage, education, career paths, or major purchases. However, it should not be prayed for decisions involving actions that are haram (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked), as the prayer does not apply to those situations.
For detailed guidance on the steps and supplication of Istikharah, refer to the teachings of the Prophet as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and other authentic sources.
May Allah guide us all to what is best for our faith and worldly affairs.
