Dua Istikhara is a prayer for guidance from Allah SWT. Dua Istikhara is a supplication based on Prophetic tradition that involves seeking Allah’s guidance while making important decisions in life, such as business deals, making a big purchase, moving to another place, and a marriage proposal. The word Istikhara is based on the Arabic root word khayr, which roughly translates as ‘goodness’ or ‘beneficial’. In simplest terms, Istikhara is performed to seek Allah’s guidance and clarity regarding any personal matter.
Dua Istikhara refers to the specific dua/ supplication that is recited when performing Istikhara:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمَكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ، وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ- خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa ‘astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa ‘as’aluka min fadhtikal-‘Adheemi, fa’innaka taqdiru wa laa ‘aqdiru, wa ta’lamu, wa laa ‘a’lamu, wa ‘Anta ‘Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma ‘in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati ‘amree – [or say] ‘Aajilihi wa ‘aajilihi – Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa ‘in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati ‘amree – [or say] ‘Aajilihi wa ‘aajilihi – Fasrifhu ‘annee wasrifnee ‘anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma ‘ardhinee bihi
Istikhara Dua Translation in English and Urdu
Istikhara Dua English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. You are capable, and I am not. You know, and I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your specific decision) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”
Dua Istikhara Urdu Translation:
اے اللہ! بے شک میں تجھ سے تیرے علم کے ساتھ بھلائی طلب کرتا ہوں اور تجھ سے تیری قدرت کے ساتھ طاقت طلب کرتا ہوں اور میں تجھ سے تیرے فضل عظیم کا سوال کرتا ہوں کیونکہ تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا ، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہہیں جانتا اور تو غیبوں کو خوب جانتا ہے۔ اے اللہ اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کا م (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لئے میرے دین ، میرے معاش اور میرے انجا م کار کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے تو اس کا میرے حق میں فیصلہ کر دے اور اسے میرے لئے آسان کر دے ، پھر میرے لئے اس میں برکت ڈال دے اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لئے میرے دین، میرے معاش اور میرے انجام کارکے لحاظ سے برا ہے تو اسے مجھ سے دور کر دے اور مجھے اس سے دور کر دے اور میرے لئے بھلائی کا فیصلہ کر دے جہاں بھی وہ ہو ، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے
Step by Step Guide to perform Istikhara
As per authentic Hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed his followers to perform Istikhara. As narrated by Jabbir:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara for each and every matter as he used to teach us the Suras from the Holy Qur’an. (He used to say), “If anyone of you intends to do something, he should offer a two-rak`at prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: ‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika-l-‘azim, fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wala a’lamu, wa anta’allamu-l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati `Amri (or said, fi ‘ajili `Amri wa ajilihi) fa-qdurhu li, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna ha-dha-l-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati `Amri (or said, fi ajili `Amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu ‘anni was-rifni ‘anhu wa aqdur li alkhaira haithu kana, thumma Raddani bihi,” Then he should mention his matter (need).
Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 (Book 80, Hadith 77)
Based on this Hadith, this is how Istikhara should be performed.
Performing Istikhara
Istikhara involves performing two Raka followed by the dua Istikhara – that can be performed with regular prayers (Salah) or late at night.
| Step by Step Guide to perform Istikhara | |
|---|---|
| Preparation Stage | Performing Istikhara |
| – Setting Intention (Niyah): Set intention as to why you are performing Istikhara i..e, the decision regarding which you are seeking guidance and sincerely seek Allah’s guidance. – Performing Ablution (Wadu): Perform ablution like it’s done in any other prayer to purify and clean yourself. | – Pray two Units (raka) of Voluntarily prayers (Nafl)First Unit recite Surah Fatiha followed by any Quranic Surah such as Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) In the second unit, again recite Surah Fatha and recite urah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). – Recite Dua Istikhara – the supplication provided above. |
Outcome and Interpretation of Istikhara
Istikhara is not about getting answers, rather it is about seeking guidance and clarity. Once you have performed Istikhara be open to receive the Divine guidance in any form be it:
- a strong feeling you get after performing Istikhara – like a peace, overwhelming or any sense
- a dream (be careful about this). Dreams can be a sing from ALlah, imbued with meaning or could be a result of our Nafs.
- some events that nudge one towards the right decision. Like certain doors opening, new information that may help your decision, and so on.
The core purpose of performing Istikhara and dua Istikhara is Tawakal. i As Muslims we have complete tawakkul on ALlah that Allah will guide you through any decision and confusion. Despite Allah not being visible in a physical way , we know and acknowledge his existence and power through his signs. In the similar way his guidance comes and manifests in various forms and Istikhara is about seeking Allah guidance in any form it comes. In a way Istikhara
Frequency of Istikhara
Although there are no limitations as to how many times you can and should perform Istikhara. It depends on the guidance you are seeking and whether you received clarity or not. Although, some say you should repeat it three or seven times to ensure you receive guidance and wisdom, ultimately it is solely up to Allah Almighty.
Common Myths About Istikhara
- Istikhara is not about yes or no or getting clear cut answers. It’s about Tawakal that ALlah will guide you and show his wisdom that can come in any form. So have faith that you will make the right decision with the will and grace of ALlah.
- Not all dreams are Divine guidance. More than the dream, it is about the signs and feelings you get in the dream that could be a sign or guidance that you may be seeking. Some dreams are based on our own desires and fears and are rooted in our psyches rather than a sign from the Divine so be very careful as to interpret such dreams as a sign from Allah.
In summary, Istikhara and dua are powerful ways to seek Allah (SWT)’s guidance and blessings. They should be performed with full tawakkul (trust in Allah) and the purest, most sincere niyyah (intention). May Allah (SWT) guide you, grant you clarity, and bless your decisions.