Istikhara (استخارة) is a powerful Islamic prayer for seeking guidance from Allah when making important life decisions. It is a Sunnah taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is a way for believers to ask Allah for clarity, direction, and ease in their choices.

Hadith reference:

• The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.. –

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6382)

Arabic Text of Dua for Istikhara

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.

Transliteration of Istikhara Dua

Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika, wa astaghfiruka bi qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azeem, fa’innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa anta ‘allaamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni was-rifni ‘anhu waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma ardini bihi.

English Translation of Istikhara Dua

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek Your power through Your might, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed, You have power while I do not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my afterlife, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my afterlife, 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.”

Steps to Perform Istikhara

1. Pray Two Rak’ahs of Voluntary Salah – Before reciting the Istikhara dua, offer two voluntary rak’ahs of prayer with sincere intention.
2. Recite the Istikhara Dua – After completing the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua with full sincerity and trust in Allah.
3. Mention the Specific Matter – When saying “هذا الأمر” (this matter) in the dua, mentally or verbally mention the decision you are seeking guidance for.
4. Trust Allah’s Decree – After making Istikhara, be patient and trust that Allah will guide you to what is best.
5. Observe Clarity & Ease – The answer to Istikhara is often felt through inner peace, ease, or obstacles preventing the matter.

Istikhara for Marriage

Marriage is a significant life decision, and Istikhara is a great way to seek Allah’s guidance for choosing the right spouse.

Steps to do Istikhara for marriage:

• Pray two rak’ahs of Salah with the intention of seeking guidance.
• Recite the Dua for Istikhara, mentioning the name of the person in your heart.
• Observe how things unfold – if things proceed smoothly, it may be a sign that it is good; if obstacles arise, it may be better to reconsider.

Signs of Istikhara

• A sense of peace or comfort – indicates that the decision is good.
• A feeling of discomfort, obstacles, or unease – may indicate that the decision is not beneficial.
• Opportunities opening up or closing – Istikhara helps remove doubts by directing us toward what is best.
• Repeated dreams or intuitive feelings – While dreams are not necessary, some people may see clear indications in their dreams.

Misconceptions About Istikhara

1. Istikhara Always Results in a Dream

Truth: Istikhara is not dependent on dreams. The answer often comes through ease or difficulty in a situation rather than dreams.

2. Istikhara is Only for Major Decisions

Truth: While it is commonly done for marriage, jobs, or big life changes, Istikhara can be performed for any decision.

3. You Need a Scholar to Do Istikhara for You

Truth: Istikhara is a personal act of worship, and every Muslim can perform it on their own.

4. Istikhara Guarantees Immediate Results

Truth: Sometimes, answers come gradually as events unfold.

5. Istikhara Will Always Give a Clear Yes or No

Truth: Sometimes the answer is in delays, obstacles, or a change of feelings over time.

Significance of Istikhara

• It is a Sunnah taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• It acknowledges that Allah alone knows what is best for us.
• It is a way to gain inner peace and clarity in decision-making.
• It helps avoid regret and distress in life choices.
• It strengthens faith and reliance on Allah.

Conclusion

Istikhara is a powerful tool for seeking Allah’s guidance. It helps in making wise decisions, avoiding regrets, and increasing faith in Allah. Whether for marriage, business, career, or life choices, Istikhara teaches us to trust in Allah’s perfect wisdom.

May Allah guide us all to the best choices in life. Ameen! 

Istikhara Meaning – Online Istikhara – Importance of Istikhara

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