Author: Mohammad Hashim Bastawi
What is the dua of Istikhara?
Istikhara means asking Allah Almighty for goodness and blessings in one’s matter. This supplication is made before starting any important task in life, or before finalizing a marriage proposal, so that the matter may turn out well and be successful InShallah, and a good relationship is found for marriage.
When is the Duʿāʾ of Istikhārah recited?
To recite this supplication, one needs peace of mind and full concentration, so that the person making the duʿāʾ can present his request to Allah Almighty with complete humility and devotion. The most suitable time for this is after the ʿIshāʾ prayer, or during the last part of the night.
How to perform the Duʿāʾ of Istikhārah
First, perform two rakʿahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer, in the same way as other voluntary prayers are offered. After that, recite this duʿāʾ with the presence of the heart, pointing your matter in it. Then whichever option your heart feels satisfied with, act upon it.
What should someone who does not memorize the Duʿāʾ of Istikhārah?
He should try to memorize it, a person devotes his heart and soul to the work of the world, sacrifices everything, this too is his work, he should work hard for it too, even if he is in a hurry and has little time, then recite this Duʿāʾ in his language, humility and the presence of the heart, InShallah, he will get the same benefit.
Istikhara Dua In Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ 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 الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ. (صحيح البخاري: 6282)
Istikhara Dua In English
Narrated Jabir (RA) : The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) used to teach us the Istikhara for each and every matter as he used to teach us the Suras from the Holy Qur’an. (He used to say), “If anyone of you intends to do something, he should offer a two-Rak’at prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say:
Transliteration
‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika-l-‘azim, fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wala a’lamu, wa anta’allamu-l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri (or said, fi ‘ajili amri wa ajilihi) fa-qdurhu li, Wa in junta ta’lamu anna ha-dha-l-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri (or said, fi ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu ‘anni was-rifni ‘anhu wa aqdur li alkhaira haithu kana, thumma Raddani bihi,” Then he should mention his matter (need). [Sahih Bukhari: Hadith no: 6282]
Translation
O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, or both in this world and in the Hereafter then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge]. Then saying similar to what he said the first time, except: Wa in kana sharran li fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdur li al-khair haithuma kana thumma raddini bihi (If it is bad for me then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.
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