Istikhara Dua: How to Perform Istikhara Step by Step Guide
If you want to know about Istikhara Dua and Perform Istikhara Step by Step Guide, then you have come to the right place.
Thank Allah that you and we are believers, and if we face any problem, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) has also told him how to get out of it; this is the beauty of our deen.
So today, with the help of this article, you will know Istikhara Dua with how to perform Istikhara, Which Dua we should recite during Istikhara.
What is Istikhara?
“Istikhara” means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He). When we do Istikhara about any work, we want to know from Allah whether it is right or wrong for us, and it is the will of Allah in this work.
It is narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah that the Prophet used to teach us to do Istikhara; in all the difficulties, he used to teach us the surahs of the Quran. And he also said that if any one of you thinks of doing any work, he should say this dua after offering two Rakat namaz Nafil.
How does Istikhara Work?
After praying for Istikhara, put the matter in front of Allah SWT; Allah SWT answers it. The answer may come in the form of a dream; it is possible. The answer can come in the form of something in the heart, whether your heart should be scornful, do this work or not.
And the answer may come in the form of the condition.
Also Read: Dua Qunoot for Witr Salah
How To Perform Istikhara
The Istikhara prayer is a sunnah of the prophet (pubh), peace be upon him. that he recommended. Whenever one faces a decision, they first need to do their research. And perform to Istikhara.
The prayer he performs would be similar to any other traditional prayer.
- One makes wudu ( ablution) clean, pure state, dressed appropriately and facing.
- The Qibla ( in Kabah, God’s house here on the earth, in modern-day Saudi Arabia) is always recommended to seek god’s forgiveness and mercy at the beginning of the prayer.
- 2-unite (Rakat) of prayer nafil, In nafil Namaz, sit in Tashahhud and read istikhara dua after durood sharif and dua e masura, which we have told you about above.
- After this, for the issue you have done Istkhara, ask Allah for blessings. (i.e. ask Allah in dua that Allah has this problem in front of me or I want to do this work, job, and whatever you have done Isthikara, but I want to know your wish if this work is better for me then show me the right path.
Before performing Istikhara Prayer, two rak’ahs prayers have to be read.
You can read any surah after Surah Fatiha in every Rakat because Prophet (PBUH) has not mentioned any specific Surah.
In the First Rakat
Read surah Al-Fatiha and followed by surah Al-Kafirun
Qul yaa ayyuhal-kafirun. La a’budu maa ta’buduun. Wa la antum ‘Abiduna maa a’bud. Wa laa ana ‘Aabidum maa ‘abattum. Wa laa antum ‘abiduuna maa a’bud. Lakum diinukum wa liya diin.
Surah al Kafirun Meaning
Say, “O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
In the Second Rakat
Read surah Al-Fatiha and followed by surah Al-Ikhlas
Qul huwallahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yuulad. Wa lam yakul lahuu kufuwan ahad
Surah Ikhlas Meaning
Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
After praying in this way, wait for Allah through SWT dream, or else Allah will put the right and wrong thing in the heart about that work Inshallah.
Apart from this, as soon as the situation comes, Allah also gives a sign to the person about the work about which he is doing Istikhara, like before doing any work, he has to suffer loss or profit.
Istikhara Dua Arabic Text
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي 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 وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي ـ قَالَ ـ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ
Istikhara Dua English Transliteration
Allaahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as aluka min fadhtikal- Adheemi, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdiru, wa ta lamu, wa laa a lamu, wa Anta Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma in kunta ta lamu anna haathal- amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma aashee wa aaqibati amree – [or say] Aajilihi wa aajilihi – Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa in kunta ta lamu anna haathal- amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma aashee wa aaqibati amree – [or say] Aajilihi wa aajilihi – Fasrifhu annee wasrifnee anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma ardhinee bihi.
Dua Istikhara English Translation
O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)–Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it. The Prophet (ﷺ) added that then the person should name (mention) his need.” [Bukhari]
Short Dua of Istikhara Dua
If you do not remember the Dua of Istikhara, then you can read this mini short Dua.
اَللّٰهُمَّ خِرْ لِيْ وَاخْتَرْ لِيْ
Allaahumma khir lee wakhtar lee
What Are The Benefits Of A Dua Istikhara Prayer?
Our Prophet(PBUH) has told many Islamic methods to avoid any trouble, proved by authentic hadith. In the same way, an essential process is called Istikhara.
It happens with most people that we want to do some work, but before doing it, somewhere in the heart, I do not know whether it is right or wrong or it will harm or benefit.
That work can be anything like a job or a decision regarding marriage or anything. We get stuck on what to do and what not to do. With the help of Istikhara Dua, we can resolve any problem.
Istikhara Dua in English PDF
Do you want to download Dua e Istikhara in PDF Book then click on the button below.
Dua Istikhara Audio MP3 Download
Memorize the Istikhara dua by downloading this audio file (free) and listening to it on repeat till you learn it by heart Inshaa Allah.
When To Pray Istikhara?
Istikhara prayer is not proved anywhere that it should be done at the same time and in day or night, you can do it any time.
Are Dreams Necessary for Istikhara?
It is not necessary that it should be known only in the dream. Allah SWT gives you the answer in any form.
How will we know the Answer to our Istikhara Prayers?
Allah SWT answers it. The answer may come in the form of a dream; it is possible. The answer can come in the form of something in the heart, whether your heart should be scornful, do this work or not.
And the answer may come in the form of the condition.
What is the Best Time to Pray Istikhara?
There is no such time necessary that Istikahar should be done at the same time, but if I believe that we should do this Istikhara after the prayer of Isha, often people sleep after the prayer and in that we expect a dream from Allah.
Misconceptions About Istikhara Dua
Istikhara is only a prayer for marriage
It is not necessary that Istikhara is done only for marriage. We can do Istikhara for any small and big things. But it should be justified.
Istikhara is only performed by pious people
Istikhara can be done by any Muslim who knows how to do
Istikhara is only answered in a dream
It is not necessary that it should be known only in the dream. Allah SWT gives you the answer in any form.
Istikhara is only for really big things
We can do Istikhara for any small and big things. But it should be justified. (i.e We should not do istikara for haraam things like whether I should drink alcohol or not and etc.)
Also Read: Allahumma Inni As’aluka Al Jannah
FAQ on Dua e Istikhara
I am on my period, so I can’t pray 2 rak’ah, can I still make Istikhara?
Yes, you can follow without reciting 2 Rakat, and you will get the same reward as reading 2 Rakat because you are not physically ready to offer Namaz.
Can I say the Dua in English?
Yes, you can say the translation so long as it is outside the prayer. Maybe you can say it both in Arabic and in English! However, note that a translation is never an exact rendition of the Arabic words. The Arabic words are the ones used by the Prophet ﷺ, so apart from the wise choice of words the Prophet used with his extraordinary eloquence, there is also barakah (blessing) attached to saying the Dua in Arabic.
Do I have to sleep after Istikhara?
You don’t need to sleep after Istikhara; may Allah SWT put a feeling in your heart about that work.
How many times Istikhara Should be Done?
If you do istikhara for whatever, if the answer of Allah does not come, you can do istikhara up to 7 times.
Is Istikhara Nafl or Sunnah?
Doing istikhara is the Sunnah of our prophet, our prophet used to do it
Can I pray Istikhara after Tahajjud?
Yes, you can do Istikhara after Tahajjud prayer.
Conclusion
I hope this Istikhara Dua guide is helpful to you.
All the shortcomings in this guide will be corrected from time to time.
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section below.
