Let me explain this more clearly.
What is Istikhara?
Istikhara is a prayer in which you ask Allah to guide you toward the better choice when you are uncertain about a decision. The Prophet ﷺ taught it to his Companions just as carefully as he taught them a chapter of the Quran. He said:
"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'ilmika...*" [Sahih Bukhari 6382]
So Istikhara consists of two voluntary rak'ahs followed by a specific supplication, and you mention your need during the dua.
Regarding the timing after Asr:
The general principle is that voluntary prayers can be offered at most times, but there are certain times when praying is discouraged or prohibited — for example, right when the sun is setting, or right after Fajr until sunrise. As for the time after you have prayed Asr (meaning the Asr prayer has been performed and its time is still valid), scholars differ:
- Some scholars permit nafl prayers after Asr as long as the sun is not yet at the point of setting (i.e., not in the final moments before sunset).
- Others discourage any voluntary prayer after Asr altogether, based on hadiths warning against praying after Asr until sunset.
The safer approach, if you want to be cautious, is to pray Istikhara before Asr, or after Maghrib, or at another time when voluntary prayers are clearly permitted. But if the need is urgent and you pray it after Asr while the sun is still high, many scholars consider this acceptable.
A practical note:
Istikhara is not limited to a specific time — you can pray it at any permissible time, including at night, after Isha, or in the last third of the night. The key is to avoid the prohibited times for prayer.
Practical tip:
If you're unsure about the exact prayer times in your area, you can check the Prayer Times section of your Al Muslim Plus app to see when Asr ends and Maghrib begins, so you can choose a suitable moment for your Istikhara. You can also find the full Istikhara dua in the Duas/Invocations section of the app to help you memorize and recite it correctly.
And remember the beautiful promise: whoever seeks guidance from his Creator, consults others, and then remains firm in his resolve will not regret it. [Dua: Istikhara]
If your situation is complex or you need a ruling specific to your circumstances, it's best to consult a qualified scholar.