Dua Istikhara is a deep prayer in the Islamic tradition reserved for this very purpose.
Dua Istikhara means “the prayer of seeking guidance.” It is an appeal providing the opportunity to any Muslim to seek divine wisdom whenever a situation arises where a choice has to be made.
The prayer before Allah serves as a way to find guidance through such choices so that the outcome may prove positive on one’s faith, livelihood, and general welfare.
It is a dua action whose details involve the performance of certain actions in a particular order: two rak’ahs of salah to begin with, followed by a special supplication in which one asks Allah to guide him.
It means to put faith in Allah’s unlimited knowledge and to seek help from Allah concerning decisions that have to be made.
The following guide will help in discussing the importance of Dua Istikhara, how to do it right, and its repetition to make sure you are backed by Allah in every decision you undertake.
Dua E Istikhara
Dua e Istikhara is a prayer for guidance when making a decision. It’s often recited when someone is uncertain about a choice and seeks Allah’s guidance. Here is the text of Dua e Istikhara:
Arabic:
اللهم إني استخيرك بعلمك واستقدرك بقدرتك واسالك من فضلك العظيم. اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الامر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة امري او قال عاجل امري وآجله فاقدره لي ويسره لي ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم ان هذا الامر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة امري او قال في عاجل امري وآجله فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان ثم ارضني.
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azim.
Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri aw qala ‘ajili amri wa ajilihee faqdhirhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi.
Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri aw qala fi ‘ajili amri wa ajilihee fasrifhu ‘anni wa asrifni ‘anhu waqdhir li al-khayra haithu kana thumma ardini.
Translation:
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge and seek ability from Your power, and I ask You for Your immense favor.
O Allah, if You know this matter (i.e., decision) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs (or said: in the immediate and in the distant future), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.
But if You know this matter is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs (or said: in the immediate and in the distant future), 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 satisfied.
The purpose of this dua is to seek Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala’s guidance on the right path so that all decisions are made in the light of divine support and wisdom.
How Do You Perform Dua Istikhara?
This is how you do Dua Istikhara:
1. Be Certain of Wudu:
One must be in a pure state.
2. Perform Two Rak’ahs of Prayer:
First of all, perform two rak’ahs of supererogatory salah. Those rak’ahs are performed for the sake of Istikhara. They are different from the obligatory prayers.
In the first rak’ah, after Surah Al-Fatiha, you can then read any surah from the Quran—you’ll frequently hear Surah Al-Ikhlas.
In the second rak’ah, after Surah Al-Fatiha, you can read any other additional surah of your choice.
3. Recite Dua Istikhara After the Prayer:
Then, after performing two rak’ahs, read the Dua Istikhara. It may be read in Arabic or one’s mother tongue; however, it is preferable to read it in Arabic due to its traditional usage.
The dua may be said all to oneself, silently, or out loud if he is alone in a room.
4. Make Your Request:
You can also make personal supplications in the dua while asking Allah to give you proper guidance regarding the decision that you are about to take.
5. Trust Allah’s choice:
You should trust in Allah once you have performed your Istikhara and then seek His guidance in terms of a decision. The result, or the decision, may become clearer with time. Be patient and heed any signs or guidance you may get.
How to Do Istikhara: Steps
- Wudu: Be clean.
- Rak’ahs: Two rak’ahs of Prayer should be performed.
- Dua: Dua Istikhara should be recited at the end.
- Personal Supplication: Guidance is to be asked about the person’s own decision.
- Trust and Patience: He must put his trust in Allah and be patient for His guidance.
Istikhara is a means of seeking divine assistance in making a decision, and it’s important to follow up with making informed choices and taking practical steps based on the guidance you feel you receive.
How Many Times to Recite Istikhara Dua?
It is possible to recite Istikhara Dua once after two rak’ahs of prayer. Nevertheless, one can repeat the dua a couple of times if he feels the urge to know more or have good advice.
Some read Istikhara over several days or nights, more so when one is faced with a major or tricky decision to make.
Remember, Istikhara is not simply an exercise in the recitation of the dua; rather, it requires faith and reliance upon Allah’s wisdom and the resultant signs or outcomes.
That will be the requirement: those very qualities—patience and faith in Allah’s plan.
Which Surah to Read in Istikhara?
You can read any Surah of the Holy Quran after Surah Al-Fatihah in the two rak’ahs of namaz. It simply means that no particular Surah is necessary to be read; therefore, you can choose one according to your free will and choice.
However, most people like to read those small Surahs or the ones they are familiar with to avoid confusion. These may include:
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112)
- Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113)
- Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114)
These surahs are small and very simple to remember thus handy to be applied in Istikhara. The final answer would hence be left to your option of surah or what you know best.
The most important thing is to pray with sincerity and avoid all possible distractions.
What Time to Pray Istikhara?
First of all, Dua Istikhara can be made at any time of the day or the night except for the preferred times of praying voluntary Salah. Some of the prohibited times are as follows:
- Starting Sunrise: This is about 30 minutes before the sun rises, and 30 minutes after that.
- At Sunset: That will be about 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after sunset.
- At High Noon: When the sun is at the zenith in the sky.
You can also perform your Istikhara after every Farz prayer, at night, or in the last part of the night.
You should be in a clean state and do two rak’ahs with pure intention before the dua of Istikhara is read.
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