What Is The Dua For Istikhara Prayer? | With Translation

Salat ul-Istikhara is a precious gift from Allah to Muslims, offering divine guidance when they face uncertainty in any aspect of life. 

By reciting the Istikhara prayer, a believer seeks Allah’s help in making decisions, relying on His boundless wisdom and mercy. 

In this article, we will cover all you need to know about dua for istikhara.

Istikhara Salat

Salat ul-Istikhara, meaning “Prayer of Seeking Counsel,” involves performing two units of prayer, known as Rak’ahs in Arabic, followed by the recitation of the Istikhara supplication.

It’s important to note that these two Rakahs are identical to the units found in other voluntary prayers.

The basis for the dua for istikhara is supported by various authentic narrations.

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What Is Dua For Istikhara

This is the dua for istikhara in Arabic:

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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي

Al-Bukhari 7:162

Dua Istikhara Transliteration

This is the dua for istikhara Transliteration:

Allâhumma inni astakhiruka bi ilmika wa astaqdiruka biqudratika wa as’aluka min fadlikal-azimi, fa innaka taqdiru walâ aqdiru wa ta’lamu walâ a’lamu wa anta allamul ghuyubi. Allâhumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hâdhal amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma-ashi wa aqibati amri faqdir-hu li wa yassir-hu li thumma barik li fihi wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hâdhal amra sharrun li fi dini wa maâshi wa aqibati amri fasrifhu anni wasrifni anhu waqdir liyal-khayra haythu kâna thumma ardini.

Dua For Istikhara English

This is the dua for istikhara in English:

“O Allah, I seek the best outcome from You, by Your knowledge, and I seek strength from You, by Your power, and I ask You for Your immense bounty. You have the power, and I do not; You know, and I do not; You are the Knower of the unseen. 

O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and bless me in it. But if You know that this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it; and decree for me what is better, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”

 

The number of times to perform Istikhara varies. Sometimes, an answer comes after one attempt, while other times, it may take longer. 

It is recommended to perform Istikhara up to seven times. If you receive a clear answer before the seven days, you can stop; there is no need to continue. 

After reciting the Istikhara supplication, it is preferable to sleep in a state of ablution, facing the Qibla. 

However, those who cannot maintain ablution due to health reasons should not worry. It is also encouraged to recite salutations (durood/Salawat) on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) before and after the supplication.

This is simply the dua for istikhara, you can check our Islamic studies course.

Looking for Signs to dua for istikhara

One should set aside personal judgments or inclinations about a matter and await signs from Allah to guide their decision. 

If the result of Istikhara is unclear, it is recommended to repeat the prayer up to seven times, typically on separate occasions, as noted by the fuqaha (e.g., Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar).

Shaykh Nuh Keller advises that the more frequently one performs Istikhara, the clearer its guidance will become. He encourages performing Istikhara for various matters, even those one might not initially consider.

Receiving a dream or a distinct “feeling” is not a requirement. Istikhara is a prayer for Allah to guide you towards what is best (khayr). 

By performing Istikhara with sincerity and fully entrusting the matter to Allah, while setting aside personal preferences, Allah will guide events in the direction that is most beneficial for your worldly and spiritual affairs.

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Conclusion To Dua For Istikhara

The dua for istikhara beautifully encapsulates Allah’s attributes of knowledge, power, and graciousness, encouraging Muslims to place their complete trust in these divine qualities. 

It redirects a believer’s focus toward matters of true significance, implying that trivial concerns without impact on one’s well-being in this life or the hereafter should not occupy their attention.

In this supplication, a Muslim asks Allah to decree, facilitate, and bless decisions or actions that will bring benefit. When Allah decrees something, it will inevitably come to pass; when He facilitates it, it will unfold smoothly; and when He blesses it, its benefits will multiply.

The Dua also emphasizes seeking Allah’s protection from harm. It asks Him not only to prevent harm from reaching us but also to detach us from any harmful inclinations or decisions that might lead to negative outcomes.

You can also reach out to the qualified professionals at Ulum Al-Azhar for assistance in learning dua for Istikhara and interpreting its outcomes.

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Faqs On Dua For Istikhara

How Do You Perform Dua Istikhara?

The Sunnah Istikhara prayer is performed in two Rak’ahs, just like other Sunnah prayers. Begin by saying the Takbir (Takbiratul-Ihram) and complete the two Rak’ahs. 

After concluding the prayer with the Salam, supplicate to Allah with the proper etiquette of making Dua.

Can I read istikhara Dua anytime?

Istikhara can be performed at any time, day or night, without specific time restrictions. The only requirements are that one must be in a state of purity and have the intention to seek divine guidance.