Istikhara dua is a special prayer in Islam performed when a Muslim faces a decision and seeks Allah’s guidance. The word Istikhara comes from the Arabic root khair, which means “goodness.” Istikhara means to seek the good or to ask Allah to guide you toward what is best.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to teach his companions to perform Istikhara in all matters. Just like he would teach them a verse from the Qur’an. It can be done for big life decisions like marriage, jobs, moving to a new place, or even smaller daily matters that you are uncertain about.
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The Istikhara Dua
Here is the original Arabic version of the Istikhara dua:
English translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor. For surely, You are able 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 [mention your specific issue] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my life in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.
But if You know that this matter [mention your issue again] is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my life in the Hereafter. 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 content with it.”
Urdu Translation
“اے اللہ میں تیرے علم کے ذریعے تیری ہدایت کا طالب ہوں، تیری قدرت کے ذریعے سے استطاعت چاہتا ہوں، اور میں تجھ سے تیرے بے پناہ فضل کا سوال کرتا ہوں، بے شک تو قادر ہے اور میں نہیں، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا، اور تو غیب کا جاننے والا ہے۔
اے اللہ، اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ میرے لیے میرے دین، میری روزی، اور میری آخرت کی زندگی کے لیے اچھا ہے، تو اسے میرے لیے مقدر کر، میرے لیے آسان فرما، اور میرے لیے اس میں برکت عطا فرما۔
لیکن اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ میرے لیے میرے دین، میری روزی اور میری آخرت کی زندگی میں برا ہے، تو اس کو مجھ سے پھیر دے اور مجھے اس سے دور کردے، اور میرے لیے جہاں کہیں بھی اچھا ہے اس کا حکم دے، اور مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے۔
How to Perform Salat al-Istikhara
- Make Wudu (ablution).
- Pray two rakats (units of voluntary prayer) with the intention of seeking guidance from Allah.
- Recite the Istikhara dua after completing the prayer.
- Mention your specific matter during the dua where it says “this matter.”
- Trust in Allah to guide your heart and path toward what is best.
Understanding the Result of Istikhara
Istikhara is not always followed by a dream or clear sign. Instead, the result often appears as a sense of ease or discomfort with a decision. Sometimes, events unfold in a way that naturally leads you toward or away from the choice.
The key is to trust Allah’s wisdom. Even if the answer is not immediate, Allah will guide your steps. Sometimes you may not get what you initially wanted, but later you’ll realize it was for the best.
Conclusion
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah when making decisions. It reminds us that Allah’s knowledge is perfect, and our own understanding is limited. By sincerely praying Istikhara, we ask Allah to choose what is best for us in both this world and the Hereafter. Always pray with trust and patience, and know that Allah will never let you down.
