Introduction
Istikhara is a special prayer in Islam performed to seek guidance from Allah when faced with an important decision. This guide will provide the complete Dua e Istikhara in Arabic, English, and Urdu and instructions on performing this beneficial practice.
The Importance of Istikhara
Istikhara is significant in Muslims’ lives, as it serves as a means to connect with Allah and seek divine assistance in making choices. The process of Istikhara encourages believers to trust in Allah’s wisdom and timing, understanding that He knows what is best for them.
By seeking His guidance through prayer, individuals can alleviate uncertainty and anxiety, fostering a sense of peace and clarity regarding their decisions. Whether it is about marriage, career changes, or any significant life choice, Istikhara is a reminder that faith and reliance on God are essential components of the decision-making process.
What is Istikhara?
Istikhara translates to “seeking goodness” or “seeking the best.” When you are uncertain about a decision, whether it’s related to marriage, business, or any significant life choice, Istikhara helps you seek Allah’s guidance and wisdom.
How to Perform Istikhara
To perform Istikhara, one should begin with the intention (niyyah) of seeking Allah’s guidance regarding a specific matter. It is recommended to pray two units (rak’ahs) of voluntary prayer (Sunnah) following the prescribed prayer times. After completing the prayer, recite the Dua e Istikhara. The prayer can be performed at any time, although it is often encouraged to do so during the night or after the obligatory prayers.
The Dua for Istikhara is as follows:
Arabic:
اللّهُمَّ إِنِّي استخِيرُكَ بعِلمِكَ، واستقدِرُكَ بقدرتِكَ، واسألُكَ من فضْلِكَ العظيم، فإنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وتعلَمُ وَلَا أعْلَمُ، وأنتَ علَّامُ الغُيُوبِ. اللّهُمَّ إنْ كنتَ تَعْلَمُ أنّ هذهِ الأمرَ خيرٌ لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري، أو قال عاجل أمري وآجله، فاقدِرْه لي ويسِّره لي، ثم بارِك لي فيه، وإنْ كنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنّ هذا الأمرَ شَرٌّ لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري، أو قال: عاجل أمري وآجله، فاصرفه عني واصرفني عنه، واقدُر لي الخير حيث كان، ثم ارضِني.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty, for indeed, You have power, and I do not. You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the specific matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, or if it is better for me in the near and distant future, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and bless me in it. But if You know that this matter is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood, and my affairs, or if it is worse for me in the near and distant future, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”
After reciting the Dua, remain reliant on Allah, trusting that guidance will come in one form or another. It is common to feel an internal sense of clarity or receive signs that help make the right decision over time.
How to Perform Istikhara
- Perform Ablution (Wudu): Ensure you are in a state of cleanliness.
- Pray Two Rak’ahs: Perform two units of prayer (Rak’ahs) to seek guidance from Allah.
- Recite the Dua e Istikhara: After completing the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua.
Dua e 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 لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي.
In English:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter is good for my religion and subsistence and in my Hereafter, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. But if in Your knowledge, this matter is bad for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”
In Urdu:
اے اللہ! میں تیرے علم کے ذریعہ تجھ سے بھلائی مانگتا ہوں اور تیری قدرت کے ذریعہ تجھ سے قدرت حاصل کرتا ہوں اور تجھ سے تیرے عظیم فضل کا سوال کرتا ہوں، کیونکہ تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا، اور تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا، اور تو غیبوں کا جاننے والا ہے۔ اے اللہ! اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ میرے لیے میرے دین، میری زندگی اور میرے انجام کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے، تو اسے میرے لیے مقدر فرما اور اسے میرے لیے آسان فرما، پھر اس میں میرے لیے برکت عطا فرما۔ اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ معاملہ میرے لیے میرے دین، میری زندگی اور میرے انجام کے لحاظ سے برا ہے، تو اسے مجھ سے دور فرما اور مجھے اس سے دور فرما، اور میرے لیے خیر مقدر فرما جہاں کہیں بھی ہو، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے۔
Key Points to Remember
- Sincere Intention: Ensure your intention is pure and seek Allah’s guidance genuinely.
- Patience and Trust: Have patience and trust in Allah’s wisdom. The answer may come in various forms, such as a feeling, a dream, or a clear sign.
- Repeated Istikhara: If you feel you need more clarity after one Istikhara, you can repeat it over several nights.
Conclusion
Istikhara is a powerful tool for seeking Allah’s guidance in times of uncertainty. By following the steps outlined above, you can perform Istikhara with confidence and clarity. Remember, Allah always wants the best for you, and seeking His guidance can lead to the best outcomes for your life.
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