Istikhara Dua & Istikhara Prayer (Guide)

Istikhara is a prayer that Muslims perform when seeking guidance from Allah (SWT) regarding a decision or choice that they need to make. It is a way of asking for Allah’s help in making the right choice and seeking His guidance and blessings in the matter.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the Istikhara prayer and encouraged us to use it in our daily lives. One relevant Hadith regarding Istikhara is:

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: « If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say the du’aa for seeking guidance (Istikhaarah). »

This Hadith highlights the importance of seeking Allah’s guidance through Istikhara before making any important decisions. It also shows that Istikhara should be performed after the two Rakat prayer and that the person should ask for Allah’s guidance in making the right decision, whether it is good or bad for them. Ultimately, the decision is left to Allah (SWT), who knows what is best for us.

Istikhara Dua in Arabic: 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِن ْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِي نِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْر ِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي ـ قَالَ ـ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ 

Istikhara Dua Translation:

‘O Allah, I seek Your guidance in making a choice rightly, and seek Your help in making it possible for me, and I implore Your favor. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (then he should mention his need) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me therein. But if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and cause me to be pleased therewith.' »

Istikhara Dua Transliteration:

Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azeem, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lamu, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu anna haadha al-amr khayrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa aqibati amri, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi, wa in kunta ta’lamu anna haadha al-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa aqibati amri, fasrifhu anni wa srifni anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haithu kaan thumma ardini bihi. 

How to Offer Istikhara Prayer? 

Istakhara is a way of asking for Allah’s help in making the right choice and seeking His guidance and blessings in the matter. Here is a complete guide on how to perform Istikhara: 

• Intention: Begin by making the intention in your heart that you are performing Istikhara to seek Allah’s guidance in making the right decision.
• Perform Wudu: Perform ablution (wudu) as you would do before offering any other prayer. 
• Two Rakat Prayer: Perform two Rakat prayers (optional prayer), preferably after Isha prayer or at any other time when you are free from distractions. 
• Istikhara Dua: After completing the two Rakat prayers, recite the Istikhara dua in Arabic, which is mentioned in the relevant Hadith, or you can make a supplication in your own words. The dua involves asking for Allah’s guidance and help in making the right decision. You can find the Arabic dua in any reliable Islamic book or website. Here is a translation of the dua: 
• Repeat the dua: Repeat the Istikhara dua as many times as you like, and make sure to focus on the meaning of the words. 
• Wait for signs: After performing the Istikhara prayer, wait for a sign from Allah (SWT) regarding your decision. The sign could come in the form of a feeling, a dream, or a coincidence that may happen in the coming days. It is important to keep an open mind and be aware of any signs that may come. 
• Make a decision: Based on the sign or feeling you receive, make your decision with complete trust and reliance on Allah (SWT). Remember that Allah (SWT) knows what is best for us and that we should always seek His guidance in making important decisions. 

Istikhara Relevant Hadiths

• Hadith of Abu Hurairah (Sunan Abu Dawud): 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, « When one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two Rak’ahs of voluntary prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance in making a choice. Please guide me to what is best for me and protect me from what is harmful for me. »

• Hadith of Ibn Abbas (Sahih Bukhari): 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, « No one should make a decision without first praying Istikhara. »

• Hadith of Abu Umamah (Sunan Ibn Majah): 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, « Istikhara is one of the gifts of Allah to His believers, and it is not granted to the non-believers. » 

• Hadith of Anas ibn Malik (Sahih Bukhari): 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, « If you are uncertain about a matter, then pray Istikhara, and you will be guided to the right decision. »

• These are just a few of the many Hadiths that emphasize the importance of Istikhara in making important decisions in one’s life. It is recommended that Muslims seek Allah’s guidance through Istikhara and have faith that He will guide them to what is best for them. 

In conclusion, Istikhara is a powerful prayer that helps Muslims seek guidance from Allah (SWT) in making important decisions. By following this complete guide on how to perform Istikhara, you can make the right decision with Allah’s guidance and blessings. It is important to note that Istikhara is not a guarantee that the outcome will be what one desire, but it is a way to seek guidance from Allah (SWT) and to ask for His help in making the best decision.