When should the du‘aa’ be offered in salaat al-istikhaarah?

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
When a Muslim prays salaat al-istikhaarah, should he recite the du‘aa’ of istikhaarah after the tashahhud and before finishing the prayer, or after saying the tasleem at the end of the prayer?.
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Check below answers in case you are looking for other related questions:
There is nothing wrong with reading the du‘aa’ of istikhaarah from a piece of paper
Praying istikhaarah is not contrary to be using one’s intellect and examining matters to see which of two choices is better

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

What is prescribed with regard to du‘aa’ al-istikhaarah is that it should be said after finishing the prayer. This is the view of the majority of scholars. 

It says in al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (3/245): The Hanafis, Maalikis, Shaafa‘is and Hanbalis said: The du‘aa’ should come immediately after the prayer. This is in accordance with what is mentioned in the text of the hadeeth from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). End quote. 

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: What is prescribed for the Muslim, when he offers salaat al-istikhaarah, is to offer the du‘aa’ after saying the salaam at the end of the prayer, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “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, then say: Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika… (O Allaah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge…)”

This indicates that the du‘aa’ should come after saying the salaam at the end of the prayer.

End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 11/389 

The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: Does the du‘aa’ of istikhaarah come before the tasleem or after saying the tasleem and finishing the prayer? 

They replied: The du‘aa’ of istikhaarah comes after the tasleem of salaat al- istikhaarah. End quote. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The du‘aa’ of istikhaarah comes after the salaam, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Let him pray two rak‘ahs then let him say…” and he mentioned the du‘aa’. 

End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, no. 20 

And Allah knows best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam

Related Answers:
Istikhaarah prayer
No one can pray istikhaarah on behalf of another
He loves da’wah but he had a disturbing dream
There is nothing wrong with reading the du‘aa’ of istikhaarah from a piece of paper
Praying istikhaarah is not contrary to be using one’s intellect and examining matters to see which of two choices is better

Recommended answers for you:
Detailed ruling on body piercing
Description of ‘Umrah
The mother’s rights over her daughter are great but the husband’s rights over his wife are greater
Will men in Paradise have intercourse with al-hoor aliyn?
Menstruating woman entering the mosque to attend a class or a halaqah for memorizing Qur’aan