Dua for Istikharah is the most important
Islamic prayer, it is used to find solutions to problems. Istikhara prayer can be done at
any time, but before making an important decision.
Making Dua Istikhara does not guarantee that your problem will be
solved or that you will receive what you are asking for, but this is a way
to show Allah that you are sincerely seeking His help.
There are many myths about the Dua Istikhara prayer, one of them
being that it can only be done if one has a problem in their life.
This is not true as people make this dua before they make an important
decision in order to know if their decision is the right one or not.
Dua Istikhara in Roman English Text
"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 For Marriage
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 [then 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.
Your guide to performing Salat Istikhara followed by Istikhara dua to ask
Allah's (SWT) guidance in making decisions for marriage, new job, travel,
and other major events in life.
Perform Salat ut Istikhara to ask Allah's (SWT) guidance in making
decisions.
Before embarking upon a journey, deciding on marriage, accepting a new job
offer or any other major decision it is preferable to perform this Islamic
dua Istikharah (which literally means to seek goodness).
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has mentioned with regards to
Istikharah: "The person who does Istikharah will never suffer loss".
This dua, which can be used as a marriage dua to seek guidance,
How Does A Dua Istikhara Prayer Work?
A dua is a prayer of supplication. The word "dua" means supplication or
invocation. It is an act of turning to Allah with one's heart, mind, will,
and soul for relief from anxiety and distress.
A dua Istikhara prayer is an Islamic practice that Muslims do four
times on different occasions. It comes from the Arabic sentence “Istikharah” which means “to seek divine guidance”
The first occasion for the dua Istikhara prayer is on the eve before one
embarks on a task or journey, so as to know if it should be undertaken or
not.
The second occasion is when an individual wants to start something new in
their life, such as getting married or starting a business venture
What Are The Benefits Of A Dua Istikhara Prayer?
A Dua Istikhara prayer is a time-limited prayer. It has to be done in the
early morning (usually before sunrise) or in the evening (before
Maghrib).
Dua Istikhara prayers are beneficial for people who are seeking answers to
their problems. It helps them get rid of doubts and fears that might be
preventing them from taking positive steps or making decisions about an
issue that they are dealing with.
How To Perform Istikharah?
First pray Two Rakaah of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka'
after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second
raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112).
After finishing prayer recite this Dua in Arabic as above.
Conditions Of The Prayer
One must take ablution ahead of the Salat al-Istikharah, in the same manner
as one would do when entering into any salah.
Ibn Hajr said, commenting on this hadith: "Istikharah is a word which means
asking Allah to help one make a choice, meaning choosing the best of two
things where one needs to choose one of them."
With the salah completed one should immediately say the supplication of
Istikhaara.
Istikhaara is done when a decision is to be made in matters which are
neither obligatory nor prohibited. So one does not need to seek counsel from
Allah for deciding whether he should go for hajj or not. Because if he is
financially and physically able to do it then hajj is obligatory and he does
not have a choice.
But seeking counsel from Allah (Istikhaara) can be done in all kind of
other permissible matters where a choice needs to be made such as buying
something, taking a job or choosing a spouse etc.
It is recorded in hadith that Muhammad used to teach his disciples to seek
counsel from Allah (Istikhaara) for every matter just as he used to teach
them the Sรผrah from the Qur'an.[2] In another Hadith Muhammad said:
"He who seeks counsel from Allah (Istikhaara) will not fail and he who
consults and seeks advice from people will not regret".
How do You Perform Istikharah Step by Step?
Salat-al-Istikhara is a prayer of guidance recited during times of
indecision. After you’ve cleansed and performed Wudu, you’ll open your
prayer, recite two rak’ah, then offer your Istikhara supplication.
Once you’ve prayed, rather than waiting for a symbolic vision, you’ll
reflect within to find answers and seek advice from those you find wise and
knowledgeable.
Read on for a step-by-step guide on performing the Istikharah dua to
seek guidance from Allah.
Performing the Salat-al-Istikhara
1. Perform Ablution or Wudu.
Before starting prayer, you should perform Wudu to ensure you’re clean.
Center your thoughts, then wash and rinse these areas three times: your
hands, mouth, face, nose, and lower forearms.
Wash your head and ears once, then wash your feet three times (starting
with the right foot).
You can then point your right index finger to the sky and recite a prayer
of witness:
"Ash-hadu al laa ilaaha illallahu wahdahuu laa shariikalahu, wa ash-hadu
anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa rasuuluh."
The English translation is,
"I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah alone; He is One;
He has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is
His (chosen) servant and (true) Messenger."
In some cases, you may need to perform Ghusl instead, such as when semen is
emitted, or after intercourse.
2. Prepare your space for prayer.
Make sure your space is clean enough to be suitable for prayer. Place a mat
onto the floor to ensure cleanliness. Position the mat so it (and you) face
the Qibla, or Mecca.
3. Open your prayers.
Start by centering yourself on your intention. Raise your hands to your
ears while standing and say, "Allah Akbar," which translates to "Allah is
the Greatest," to open your prayers.
Then recite the Isteftah Dua, or opening prayer, followed by the Ta’awwuz
and Tasmiah.
The Isteftah Dua is:
"Subhana Kal-lah hum-ma wabi hamdika wata-baara kasmuka wata'ala jad-duka
wala ilaha ghyruk." This translates to, "Glory be to you, O Allah, and all
praises are due unto you, and blessed is your name and high is your
majesty and none is worthy of worship but you."
The transliteration of the Ta’awwuz is,
"A'udhu bil-lahi minash Shayta-nir-rajeem," which translates in English
to, "I seek Allah's protection from Satan who is accursed."
You only need to recite Ta’awwuz once.
The transliteration of the Tasmiah is,
"Bismillah hir-Rahma nir-Raheem," which translates to, "In the name of
Allah, the most Kind and the most Merciful."
You should recite Tasmiah before each Surah, or chapter of the Quran, that
you recite.
4. Recite the
Surah Fatiha.
Before offering the Salat-al-Istikhara, recite two rak’ah (prayer cycles),
starting with the Surah Fatiha.
Remember to start each Surah by saying, "Bismillah hir-Rahma
nir-Raheem."
The Surah Fatiha is recited in each rak’ah.
Its transliteration is:
Alhamdul lil-lahi rab-bil 'alameen
Ar rahma nir-raheem
Maliki yawmid-deen
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een
Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem
Siratal Lazeena an'amta 'alayhim
Ghai-ril maghdubi 'alayhim
Walad dal-leen. Ameen.
In English, this translates to:
Praise is only for Allah, Lord of the Universe.
The most Kind, the most Merciful.
The master of the Day of Judgement.
You alone we worship and to you alone we pray for help.
Show us the straight way,
The way of those whom you have blessed.
Who have not deserved your anger,
Nor gone astray.
5. Recite the Surah al-Kafirun.
After the Surah Fatiha, continue your two rak’ah recitations with the Surah
al-Kafirun, or chapter 109 of the Quran.
Be sure to start each Surah by saying, "Bismillah hir-Rahma
nir-Raheem."
The transliteration of the
Surah al-Kafirun
is:
Qul yaa-ai yuhal kaafiroon
Laa a'budu ma t'abudoon
Wa laa antum 'aabidoona maa a'bud
Wa laa ana 'abidum maa 'abattum
Wa laa antum 'aabidoona ma a'bud
Lakum deenukum wa liya deen.
This translates to say :
O ye that reject Faith!
I worship not that which ye worship,
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
Nor will I worship those whom you have worshipped;
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
To you be your Way, and to me mine.
6. Recite the Surah Fatiha again then the Surah al-Ikhlas.
Say the Surah Fatiha once again, then recite the
Surah al-Ikhlas.
Start with Tasmiah, or "Bismillah hir-Rahma nir-Raheem."
The transliteration of Surah al-Ikhlas is:
Qul huwal laahu ahad
Allah hus-samad
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad
The English translation is:
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him.
7. Recite the Istikhara supplication.
After offering two rak’ah, you are ready to recite the Istikhara
supplication.
The Salat-al-Istikhara transliteration is:
"Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika
wa-as'aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa
ta'lamu walaa a'alamu wa anta allaamul ghuroob.
Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal-amr khayrun liy fiy deeniy
wa-ma'aashiy wa-'aaqibat amriy, faqdur hu liy wa- liy thumma baarik liy
feehi.
Wa in-kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy
wa-'aaqibat amriy. Fa asrifhu 'annee wa-srifni 'anhu. Wa aqdur lial khayra
haythu kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee."
The English translation is:
O Allah! Behold I ask You the good through Your Knowledge, and ability
through Your Power, and beg (Your favour) out of Your infinite Bounty. For
surely You have Power; I have none. You know all; I know not. You are the
Great Knower of all things.
O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter be good for my faith, for my
livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me,
and make it easy for me, and bless me therein. But if in Your Knowledge,
this matter be bad for my faith, for my livelihood, and for the consequences
of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away therefrom, and
ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to please with it.
Where "haadhal amr" (this matter) appears, mention the affair for which you
seek guidance.
8. Repeat the prayer as many times and for as many days as you
desire.
You may choose to repeat the Istikhara supplication or continue reciting as
many rak’ah as you desire.
Continue to incorporate Istikhara into your daily prayers until you have
found resolution. Try performing it for seven days, but stop if you feel you
have been given an answer between that time.
Istikharah Dua Asking for Guidance
a. Pray the Istikhara when you need to make a decision.
Performing Istikhara is appropriate whenever you have to make a
non-obligatory decision. It’s a powerful prayer of guidance for whenever you
are unsure about a decision.
Examples could include:
Choosing a university or graduate school.
Deciding whether to take a job offer.
Choosing a spouse.
b. Perform Istikhara after Salat al-Fajr or Salat al-Lail.
It’s always best to recite two rak’ah before asking for guidance. It’s
advised to incorporate Istikhara into your morning prayer (Salat al-Fajr) or
after Salat al-Lail.
Salat al-Lail is a voluntary late night prayer. It does not have a mandated
number of rak’ah, but if it you perform it, it must be after the obligatory
Isha, or night prayer.
c. Seek advice from knowledgeable people when praying for guidance.
When you recite Salat-al-Istikhara, you should also seek advice from those
you believe are wise and knowledgeable. Avoid thinking that your answers
will simply come to you in dreams or visions.
For example, suppose you are deciding whether to take a new job. You should
consult a knowledgeable elder, like a relative or mentor.
Ask them, "Will you help me understand how this new job might affect my
life and my faith? Do you think this is a good decision?"
Istikharah Dua Having the Right Mindset
1. Pray with sincerity.
When you center yourself on an intention in prayer, you should say
truthfully in your heart and mind that you are asking for guidance and
need help.
Further, you should be open to receiving it and taking action. To be
sincere, you should be willing to get an answer and follow through even if
it’s not the one you want to hear.
2. Say the prayer with firm convictions instead of begging.
Your intention should only be to clearly ask for guidance with firm
convictions.
Avoid begging or pleading. If you beg or plead, you’re not really asking
for guidance, but asking for something you desire to come true.
3. Don’t be impatient after saying the prayer.
You shouldn’t put Allah on a timetable. Be patient, and avoid showing
haste or desperation.
Remember not to expect miracles or symbolic visions when praying
Istikhara, but to be open to answers in the forms of advice and subtle
signs or feelings.