Dua e Istikhara/Dua for Istikhara in Arabic
Narrated by Jabir(رضي الله عنه),
“As the Prophet taught us the Surahs from the Holy Qur’an, he used to teach us the Istikhara for each and every situation. He used to tell us that if anyone among you wanted to do anything, they should perform two rakat prayer other than obligatory prayers and then recite,
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْٓ اَسْتَخِیْرُکَ بِعِلْمِکَ وَاَسْتَقْدِرُکَ بِقُدْرَتِکَ وَاَسْئَلُکَ مِنْ فَضْلِکَ الْعَظِیْمِ فَاِنَّکَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَآ اَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَآ اَعْلَمُ وَاَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُیُوْبِ، اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ اَنَّ ھٰذَا الْاَمْرَ خَیْرٌ لِّیْ فِیْ دِیْنِیْ وَمَعَاشِیْ وَعَاقِبَۃِ اَمْرِیْ فَاقْدُرْہُ لِیْ وَیَسِّرْہُ لِیْ ثُمَّ بَارِکْ لِیْ فِیْہِ وَاِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ اَنَّ ھٰذَا الْاَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّیْ فِیْ دِیْنِیْ وَمَعَاشِیْ وَعَاقِبَۃِ اَمْرِیْ فَاصْرِفْہُ عَنِّیْ وَاصْرِفْنِیْ عَنْہُ وَاقْدُرْ لِیَ الْخَیْرَ حَیْثُ کَانَ ثُمَّ اَرْضِنِیْ بِہٖ
Reference: Sahih Bukhari 1166
Dua e Istikhara/ Dua for Istikhara in English
O Allah, without a doubt, I seek goodness from you through Your knowledge, and strength through Your power. I ask for Your immense grace, for indeed You have power, and I am powerless. You have knowledge, and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that indeed this matter is better for me with regards to my faith, my livelihood, and my ultimate fate, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and bestow blessings upon it. And if You know that indeed this matter is not good for me in terms of my faith, my livelihood, and my ultimate fate, then distance it from me, and distance me from it. And decree goodness for me wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
Dua e Istikhara/ Dua for Istikhara in Urdu
طلب کرتا ہوں اور میں تجھ سے تیرے فضلِ عظیم کا سوال کرتا ہوں کیونکہ تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا اور تو غیبوں کو خوب جانتا ہے۔ اے اللہ! اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام میرے لیے میرے دین، میرے معاش اور میرے انجام کار کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے تو اس کا میرے حق میں فیصلہ کردے اور اسے میرے لیے آسان کردے، پھر میرے لیے اس میں برکت ڈال دے اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام میرے لیے میرے دین، میرے معاش اور میرے انجامِ کار کے لحاظ سے بُرا ہے تو اسے مجھ سے دور کردے اور مجھے اس سے دور کردے اور میرے لیے بھلائی کا فیصلہ کردے جہاں بھی وہ ہو، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کردے۔
What is Istikhara?
The word “istikhara” originated from Arabic, which means seeking goodness or best. In Islam, Istikhara is a form of prayer that asks Allah for guidance before making any choice or decision, particularly when you’re confused about the best course of action. Istikhara is a prayer that asks Allah for help and guidance through supplication.
The Istikhara prayer is performed to seek assistance from Allah in a difficult decision. It is believed that Allah will guide you toward the best option in this life and the hereafter.
How to Pray Istikhara?/Istikhara karne ka Tarika
The following steps are followed to pray the istikhara prayer.
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْٓ اَسْتَخِیْرُکَ بِعِلْمِکَ وَاَسْتَقْدِرُکَ بِقُدْرَتِکَ وَاَسْئَلُکَ مِنْ فَضْلِکَ الْعَظِیْمِ فَاِنَّکَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَآ اَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَآ اَعْلَمُ وَاَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُیُوْبِ، اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ اَنَّ ھٰذَا الْاَمْرَ خَیْرٌ لِّیْ فِیْ دِیْنِیْ وَمَعَاشِیْ وَعَاقِبَۃِ اَمْرِیْ فَاقْدُرْہُ لِیْ وَیَسِّرْہُ لِیْ ثُمَّ بَارِکْ لِیْ فِیْہِ وَاِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ اَنَّ ھٰذَا الْاَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّیْ فِیْ دِیْنِیْ وَمَعَاشِیْ وَعَاقِبَۃِ اَمْرِیْ فَاصْرِفْہُ عَنِّیْ وَاصْرِفْنِیْ عَنْہُ وَاقْدُرْ لِیَ الْخَیْرَ حَیْثُ کَانَ ثُمَّ اَرْضِنِیْ بِہٖ
Common Misconceptions About Istikhara (What the Sunnah Actually Says)
Many people make mistakes by relying on false rumors about Istikhara. Here is what Islamic scholars and the authentic Sunnah clarify:
Benefits of Istikhara/Istikhara ki Dua kay Fazail
Istikhara offers many benefits for those looking for direction when making decisions. Istikhara prayer brings clarity to the individual by connecting them with Allah’s knowledge and giving them peace of mind.
Dua e Istikhara is not a prediction about the future but reminds believers of Allah’s presence. It also reassures them about His ultimate guidance.
Dua e Istikhara has many blessings, including spiritual calm, informed decisions, and a growing trust in Allah. Istikhara prayer is a practice that focuses on acknowledging the fact that Allah has control over all outcomes, promoting humility and acceptance of Allah’s plan.
Also Read: Sone ki Dua/Dua before Sleeping
FAQs
How to perform istikhara?
Istikhara is performed by praying two rak’ahs of optional(nafl) prayers, then reciting dua e istikhara/istikhara ki dua, a sincere plea for guidance to Allah.
Can Istikhara predict the future?
No, Istikhara is not a future or fortune-telling technique. In fact, the istikhara prayer is a way to seek Allah’s wisdom and guidance when making decisions.
Should I have a specific decision in mind while reciting the istikhara ki dua?
Yes, it’s recommended that you have some decision or choice in mind for which you’re seeking Allah’s guidance when reciting the Dua for istikhara.
What if I don’t receive a clear answer after reciting the Dua for istikhara?
Istikhara does not always give immediate and apparent signals. Observe how events unfold and pay attention to your feelings and circumstances over time.
How often can I recite the Dua of Istikhara/istikhara?
No limit exists. But it is preferable to say dua of istikhara once with sincere intention rather than repeatedly without conviction.
