Istikhara is a special dua that Muslims recite when they are faced with making a big decision. Whether it’s about marriage, a new job, moving to a different city, or any other important choice, Istikhara helps us ask Allah for guidance. By doing so, we seek Allah’s wisdom to know what is best for us in this life and the hereafter.
The Dua
Arabic:
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
Translation (English):
“O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and I beseech You for Your Magnificent Grace. Surely, You are Capable and I am not. You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, – [or say: in this life and the afterlife] – then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, – [or say: in this life and the afterlife] – then distance it from me, and distance me from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and help me to be content with it.”
Translation (Urdu):
“اے اللہ! میں تیرے علم سے بھلائی مانگتا ہوں، اور تیری قدرت سے طاقت طلب کرتا ہوں، اور تیرے عظیم فضل سے سوال کرتا ہوں۔ بے شک، تُو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں نہیں رکھتا، تُو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا، اور تُو غیبوں کا جاننے والا ہے۔ اے اللہ! اگر تُو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ [یہاں پر جو فیصلہ کرنا ہو، اُس کا ذکر کریں] میرے دین، میری زندگی، اور میرے مستقبل کے لیے بہتر ہے – فوراً اور بعد میں – تو اسے میرے لیے مقدر فرما اور اسے آسان بنا، پھر اس میں برکت عطا فرما۔ اور اگر تُو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ میرے دین، میری زندگی، اور میرے مستقبل کے لیے برا ہے – فوراً اور بعد میں – تو اسے مجھ سے دور کر دے اور مجھے اس سے دور کر دے، اور جہاں کہیں بھی بھلائی ہو، میرے لیے اس کا فیصلہ فرما، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے۔”
(Al-Bukhari 7:162)
When to Recite the Dua
Recite this dua when you are about to make an important decision in your life. Before reciting it, perform two rak’ahs of prayer, seeking guidance from Allah. You can pray Istikhara at any time, though it is better to do it in times of calm reflection, such as before bed or after your daily prayers.
Benefits of Reciting Istikhara
Guidance from Allah
Istikhara brings Allah into the process of your decision-making. By asking for His wisdom, you align your choices with what is best for your faith, your life, and your future.
Peace of Mind
Once you have asked for Allah’s guidance, you no longer feel alone in making your decision. You can trust that whatever happens, Allah has willed it to be the best for you.
Contentment
This dua helps you accept the outcome of your decision, knowing that Allah’s wisdom is greater than your own. Even if things do not go as planned, you learn to be satisfied with Allah’s decision.
How to Make an Istikhara Decision
After reciting the dua, look for signs from Allah or feel peace in your heart regarding the decision. Sometimes, the right path may become clearer after some time. Trust that Allah will guide you to the best choice, whether through your feelings, circumstances, or advice from others.
FAQs About the Dua for Istikhara
Q: Do I need to see a dream after doing Istikhara?
No, you don’t have to see a dream. Sometimes Allah gives guidance through feelings, events, or advice from others. Trust in His plan without expecting specific signs.
Q: How many times should I perform Istikhara?
You can recite Istikhara once, but if you still feel unsure, you can repeat it multiple times. There is no set limit.
Q: Can I ask someone else to perform Istikhara for me?
It’s better to perform Istikhara yourself, as it’s a personal act of seeking guidance from Allah. However, you can also ask others for advice, as mentioned in the Hadith.
Q: Can I recite Istikhara for small decisions?
Yes, Istikhara is for any decision, big or small. Anytime you feel unsure, you can turn to Allah for help.