بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Dua-e-Istikhara means “Asking for good”.In Islam,it is performed by praying two rak’ahs 0f Nafl prayer and then making a special supplication to seek اللّٰہ guidence before important decisions like business or travel.
Since human knowledge is limited,we cannot forsee what is beneficial or harmfull for us.A wise person seeksاللّٰہ help before making a final decision.
Dua e Istikhara (دعا استخارہ)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
English Translation
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek Your power through Your might, and I ask You from Your immense favor. For indeed, You have power, while I have none; You have knowledge, while I know not; and You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs—both immediate and in the future—then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.
And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs—both immediate and in the future—then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
Roman Urdu Translation
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-azeem. Fa’innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu, wa anta allamul ghuyub.
Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna haazal amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, aw qala ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li summa barik li fihi.
Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna haazal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, aw qala fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi, fasrifhu anni wasrifni anhu, waqdur liya al-khayra haythu kaana, summa ardini bihi.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said that:
“That whoever seeks اللّٰہ guidence,consults others,and remains patient in their decisions will never regret it”.
Before Islam, people relied on superstitions like bird omens, astrology, and fortune-telling, but Islam taught believers to seek Allah’s wisdom instead.
Method of Dua-e-Istikhara Prayer
Istikhara is a Sunnah act,so the method of Istikhara taught by Prophet Muhammadمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم should be adopted and self-imposed methods should be avoided because it is something that goes beyond اللّٰہ and His Messenger.
1.Perform ablution well and pay two Nafl with full attention and humility with the intention of Istikhara.
2.Say salam and praise اللّٰہ and read Darood Sharif.
3.Sunnah pray istikhara with humility,reluctance,faith,and attention.
Steps of Istikhara Prayer
- Make a Decision:
Choose the matter you are uncertain about (e.g., marriage, job, etc.). - Perform Two Rak’ahs:
Offer two rak’ahs of voluntary (Nafl) prayer. - Recite Dua-e-Istikhara:
After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua, asking Allah for guidance. - Trust Allah’s Guidance:
After making the dua, trust that Allah will guide you to the best decision. - Wait for Signs:
Be patient and wait for signs or clarity from Allah regarding your decision.
Etiquette and Rules for Dua-e-Istikhara
When performing Dua-e-Istikhara, it is important to follow certain etiquettes and guidelines to ensure that the supplication is done correctly and respectfully. Here are the key points:
1. Sincerity and Intention
- Before performing Dua-e-Istikhara, ensure that you have a sincere intention and are seeking guidance from Allah, with full trust in His wisdom. Your heart should be focused and free from doubts about seeking Allah’s help.
2. Perform Two Rak’ahs of Nafl Prayer
- It is recommended to perform two rak’ahs of Nafl (voluntary) prayer before making the Dua. This is part of the etiquette and a way to prepare yourself spiritually to seek guidance from Allah.
3. Recite the Dua with Humility
- After completing the prayer, make Dua-e-Istikhara humbly and with full submission, asking Allah to guide you toward what is best for your life, religion, and future. You can recite the full Dua in Arabic or in your own language, but it should be done with sincerity and focus.
4. Trust in Allah’s Plan
- Dua-e-Istikhara is not about receiving a specific answer like a “yes” or “no,” but about seeking Allah’s guidance. After making the Dua, trust that Allah will guide you toward what is best, whether the outcome is as you expected or not. It’s important to have faith that Allah’s decision will be the best for you.
5. Signs of Guidance
- After performing Dua-e-Istikhara, be patient and wait for clarity or signs. The guidance may come in the form of peace in your heart, a change in circumstances, or a clear path opening up. Sometimes, Allah may lead you to a decision without directly showing signs, and this should be trusted as His will.
6. Repetition of Istikhara
- If you still feel uncertain after performing Dua-e-Istikhara, you can repeat the Dua up to seven times. It’s encouraged to perform the Dua as many times as necessary until you feel at peace with your decision.
7. Practical Steps
- While Dua-e-Istikhara is important, you should also take practical steps to make the best decision. Seek advice from knowledgeable people, weigh the pros and cons, and use your wisdom. Dua-e-Istikhara is a supplement to your efforts, not a substitute.
8. Don’t Rush the Decision
- After performing Dua-e-Istikhara, give yourself time to reflect. Do not rush the decision-making process. Allah will guide you at the right time.
Selection of hadith and istikhara:
After researching each hadith,Imam Bukhari used to take bath before writing it in the book and Allah would recite istikhara from the hadith.He says that when i was done with the research that this hadith is based on the principle of arts,I used to invoke Allah and say:
“I used to write it on moonlit nights while sitting near the blessed grave of Prophet Muhammadﷺ.”
When to Perform Istikhara:
Dua-e-Istikhara is performed when you are faced with an important decision and are uncertain about the best course of action. It is appropriate to make Istikhara before making decisions related to significant matters such as:
- Marriage
- Career choices
- Travel plans
- Business decisions
- Relocating to a new place
However, Istikhara should be done after you have taken necessary steps like seeking advice from knowledgeable people, considering the pros and cons, and using your own judgment. It’s a way to seek Allah’s guidance after you have done your part in making an informed decision.
Hadith on Seeking Guidance:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“If any of you is concerned about a decision, let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then ask Allah for guidance.”
— (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith emphasizes that Istikhara is not just about asking for Allah’s help, but also about putting in effort and prayer after making a thoughtful decision.
Advantages of Istikhara:
- Divine Guidance:
Istikhara helps seek Allah’s guidance in uncertain decisions, ensuring you follow what’s best for you. - Peace of Mind:
By trusting Allah’s plan, Istikhara brings clarity and peace, easing your heart from doubt. - Strengthens Faith:
Regularly making Istikhara strengthens reliance on Allah, increasing your trust in His wisdom. - Helps with Difficult Decisions:
It provides spiritual clarity, guiding you through tough choices
Quranic Text:
The Quran says:
“وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ”
“And my success is not but through Allah.”
— (Surah Hud, 11:88)
This verse reminds us that all success and guidance come from Allah alone, reinforcing the essence of Istikhara.
Burial of the Prophetﷺ and Istikhara:
The Companions used to seek Istikhara in various matters.For example,when the time came for the burial of the Prophet(peace be upon him)after his death,they sought Istikhara to determine what kind of grave he should be buried in.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Dua-e-Istikhara is a powerful tool for seeking Allah’s guidance when making important decisions.
It teaches us the importance of relying on Allah’s infinite wisdom, especially in times of uncertainty. Whether it’s a personal matter or a significant life decision, Istikhara helps us trust that Allah knows what is best for us, even if we cannot see it immediately.
Just as the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ trusted Allah’s guidance when making crucial decisions, we too must approach our choices with patience, faith, and reliance on Allah’s plan.
Ultimately, the outcome of any decision, guided by Istikhara, will always be in our best interest, for Allah’s plan is perfect and beyond our understanding.
Patience and faith in Allah’s plan will bring us peace, contentment, and success in this life and the hereafter.
