The basic idea of Istikhara is asking Allah’s will before making a decision. Muslim use Salat-ul-Istikhara and Istikhara Dua whenever they want to make an important decision which can impact their lives like, performing Istikhara before marriage, doing Istikhara before a business deal, etc.
In this blog, we will discuss the significance of Istikhara in Islam, how to do it, and what are the best Istikhara dua which you can recite to get the best results.
Istikhara Dua
Dua for Istikhara in Arabic
اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك ، وأستقدرك بقدرتك ، وأسألك من فضلك العظيم فإنك تقدِرُ ولا أقدِرُ ، وتعلم ولا أعلم ، وأنت علام الغيوب ، اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر – يسمي حاجته – خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري – أو قال : عاجله وآجله – فاقدره لي ويسره لي ، ثم بارك لي فيه ، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري – أو قال : عاجله وآجله – فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه ، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان ، ثم ارضني به
Istikhara Dua English transliteration
Here is the English transliteration of Istikhara Dua.
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka bi `ilmik, wa astaqdiruka biqudratik, wa as’aluka min faḍlika ‘l-`Aẓīm, fa’innaka taqdiru wa lā aqdir, wa ta`lamu wa lā a`lam, wa anta `allāmu ‘l-ghuyūb, Allāhumma in kunta ta`lamu anna hādha ‘l-amra – [then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lī fī dīnī wa ma`āshī wa `āqibati amrī – [or say] `ājilihi wa ājilih – faqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī thumma bārik lī fīh, wa in kunta ta`lamu anna hādha ‘l-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa ma`āshī wa `āqibati ‘amrī – [or say] `ājilihi wa ‘ājilihi – faṣrifhu `annī waṣrifnī `anh, waqdur liya ‘l-khayra ḥaythu kān, thumma arḍinī bih.
Istikhara Dua English translation
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.
Istikhara Dua in Hadith
Narrated Jabir: The Prophet (PBUH) 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: ‘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 kunta 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 al-Bukhari 6382
Explanation: The dua for Istikhara is the best way to ask Allah’s guidance. This method of asking Allah’s will is prescribed and practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with a pre-requisite, two rakat optional prayers.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught the Istikhara dua to his companions and is mentioned in several Hadith books. The dua of Istikhara can be understood easily by its English translation, in which the supplicator is seeking Allah’s answer on a decision he or she is about to make but not confidant enough.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, then recite the Istikhara dua and ask for Allah’s opinion on your decision. Inshallah, your heart will be at peace, or you will get the feeling of denial.
Dua for Istikhara in Hadith Books
There are several Sahih Hadiths with dua for Istikhara with minor changes. Here are the hadiths we found with dua-e-Istikhara.
- Mishkat al-Masabih 1323
- Riyad as-Salihin 717
- Sunan an-Nasa’i 3253
- Hisn al-Muslim 74
- Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 703
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6382
- Sunan Ibn Majah 1383
- Sunan Abi Dawud 1538
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 480
Istikhara Dua Short?
We have seen people asking for a shorter dua for Istikhara because they are too lazy to memorize or even recite the longer dua. The below-mentioned dua has been circulated as the short dua for Istikhara but is from a Daif Hadith.
اللَّهُمَّ خِرْ لِي وَاخْتَرْ لِي
English transliteration: Allāhumma khir lī wakhtar lī.
English translation: O Allah, make it good for me and choose for me.
Hadith: Aishah narrated from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq,: that whenever the Prophet (PBUH) wanted to do a matter, he would say: “O Allah, make it good for me and choose for me. (Allāhumma khir lī wakhtar lī)” —Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3516
—Clarification: The Hadith is Daif.
How to do Istikhara?
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) did Istikhara and prescribed doing it in every aspect of life. The method of doing Istikhara is simple and involves the following steps.
1- Perform Abulation: A Muslim should be clean when praying to Allah, especially if they are offering Salah. Here is the dua for Wudu if you don’t know it.
2- Salat al Istikhara: You must offer two rak’t optional prayers before asking Allah’s decision. This optional salah is called the Istikhara prayer.
3- Dua e Istkihara: After completing the two rak’t of Istikhara prayer, recite the Istikhara dau. You can recite it from your mobile screen or a book and mention the thing you want to ask after “Lamu anna hādha ‘l-amra.”
4- Supplication: After completing the dua e Istikhara, raise your hands and seek Allah’s blessings and forgiveness. You should also pray to Allah to guide you and select what is best for you.
Is Salat al Istikhara mandatory for the process?
The Istikhara prayer is a mandatory pillar for completing the process. It was prescribed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and practiced by his companions; therefore, the process wouldn’t be complete without it.
When is the best time to perform Salat al Istikhara and Istikhara dua?
There is no best time mentioend in the Hadith. But we can say that the best time to ask anything from Allah is the third part of the night. Therefore, you must perform Istikhara prayer and dua late at night, just before sleeping.
Just so you know, the Istikhara prayer should not be offered during obligatory prayers, at sunrise, sunset, or at noon when the sun is directly overhead.
Per our experience, the best time to offer Salat al Istikhara is after you have offered Tahajjud. Here is a complete guide on Tahajjud Dua, which you can recite and ask Allah whatever you want. And if you want to go one step further, you can offer Salah al Istikhara in the mosque. Here is the dua for entering the masjid.
What are the signs after doing Istikhara?
You will feel at peace after performing Istikhara if the decision is the right one for you. Conversely, if the decision is not good for you, you may feel discomfort, or events related to that decision will begin to unfold negatively.
There are a few misconceptions associated with Istikhara, like seeing a dream, hearing a voice, and smelling good scent. However, none of it has been proven by any Hadith or by an Islamic scholar.
Misconceptions with Istikhara
There are a few misconceptions associated with Istikhara. Some of these are listed below.
The Istikhara Dream: Seeing a red or green flag in your dream. The red flag means no, and the green means yes.
Smell of Rose: If you smell red roses in your home, then the answer of Istikhara is yes.
Black Animal: The sight of a black animal or bird is considered a no.
Breaking of Glass: The breaking of glass, a cup, or a plate is also considered a no.
Deligating Istikhara: It is widely practiced in Southeast Asian countries, which is not proven by Hadith. Istikhara is a personal prayer and does not need external influence. However, some Muslims do the opposite; they ask their elders, clerics, and imams to perform It for them.
When should you do Istikhara?
You can do Istikhara for anything you wish to seek Allah’s advice. However, the Istikhara dua and process are usually done when we are about to make a life changing decision. Here are a few examples of them.
1- Istikhara in business
Muslims recite dua e Istikhara to seek Allah’s advice when starting a new business or making a critical business decision. Through this practice and donations, they make Allah their business partner. Here is a guide on the best dua for success in life and business.
2- Moving abroad
Leaving your country permanently is one of the most important life decisions. Muslims perform dua e Istikhara before they move abroad permanently.
3- Istikhara in Agriculture
Muslim farmers seek Allah’s advice on planting crops. For example, they offer salat ul Istikhara and ask Allah whether they plant cotton or rice.
4- Istikhara, when switching job
Switching a job is a professional decision that can backfire. Therefore a Muslim recite Istikhara dua and ask Allah’s advice before switching jobs.
5- Istikhara for marriage
Several Muslims seek Allah’s advice and opinion before marrying someone. This practice is followed in most Muslim countries and has become a part of their culture. And there is no harm in asking Allah about your spouse’s choice because you will be spending the rest of your life with them.
If you are looking for marriage proposals, here is the best dua for marriage in Islam.
What are some of the best tips for Istikhara?
Here are a few of the best tips for reciting dua e Istikhara.
- Belief: A Muslim must pray the Salah ul Istikhara with a firm belief in Allah. He is the all-mighty, and he will help you make important decisions in your life.
- Sincerity: Approach Istikhara with a pure heart, genuinely seeking Allah’s guidance without personal biases.
- Patience: Be patient, as the answer may not come immediately. Allah’s guidance may unfold gradually.
- Consistency: If clarity doesn’t come after one Istikhara, it’s okay to repeat the prayer for better guidance.
- Consultation: Seek advice from knowledgeable individuals before performing Istikhara, as their counsel can complement the prayer’s guidance.
- Reflection: Reflect on your feelings after Istikhara; a sense of peace may indicate the right decision, while discomfort may signal otherwise.
Wrap Up
We have discussed the best Istikhara dua from the Hadith and provided references to several Hadith books. We believe if you follow the complete method of offering Salat ul Istikhara and ask for Allah’s opinion with a since heart, he will answer.
We hope that this blog will help millions of Muslims seeking answers from Allah. If you have been answered, please remember us in your prayers. Jazakallah Khairan.
What else should you know?
Here is a list of a few powerful dua you should know.
