Dua for Istikhara in English, Arabic, and Transliteration

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us a special prayer called Istikhara. It’s a way to ask Allah to choose what’s best for us in all things, both in our faith and daily life.

Istikhara means asking Allah to help us make a choice when we’re unsure. It’s like asking Allah to pick the best option for us.

When we say Istikhara, we’re showing that we trust Allah and know that we can’t do anything without His help.

Dua Istikhara Arabic Text

Here is the full dua Istikhara written in Arabic Text:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بعِلْمِكَ، 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- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Istikhara Dua Transliteration

The dua Istikhara is transliterated as Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratik, wa asaluka min fadlik al-azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lam anna [hadhal-amr] khayrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta’lam anna [hadhal-amr] sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdur li al-khayr haythu kan. Thumma ardini bih

Dua for Istikhara in English

The meaning of dua istikhara in English is O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of 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 (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs ), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.

READ ALSO: 7 Dua For Anxiety and Depression in Arabic and English

Hadith Text

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur’an.

He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): —

‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika Al-azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-lamra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibatiAmri (or ‘ajili Amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibatiAmri (or fi’ajili `Amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’

(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.

Sahih al-Bukhari 1166

Ibn Hajr, a great scholar, explained the hadith about istikhara (seeking Allah’s guidance). He said:

• Istikhara is for matters that are allowed (mubah) or when choosing between good options (mustahabb).
• We don’t need istikhara for obligatory or forbidden actions.
• Scholars say istikhara is for both big and small decisions, as small issues can lead to bigger ones.

Breaking Down the Istikhara Prayer

• “O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge” means asking Allah to guide us because He knows best.
• “I seek Your power” means asking Allah to help us.
• “I ask You of Your great bounty” means asking Allah for His generosity, remembering that He gives without obligation.
• “You have power, I have none” and “You know, I know not” remind us that Allah has all power and knowledge, and we have only what He decrees.

The Prayer Continued

• If possible, mention the specific matter by name or think of it while making the prayer.
• “Then ordain it for me” means make it happen or make it easy.
• “Then turn it away from me” means remove attachment to it.
• “Make me pleased with it” means make me content with the outcome, without regret or sorrow.

The Key

• Detach your heart from the matter, and trust Allah’s decree.
• Being pleased means accepting Allah’s decision with a content heart.

The Power of Istikhaarah Prayer

Istikhaarah prayer is a powerful way to submit to Allah and free your heart from attachment to others. It’s the ultimate trust in Allah, seeking guidance in all matters, big or small, as taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Istikhaarah is for everyday life, not just rare cases. It’s a personal prayer for guidance, and:

• No one can pray istikhaarah for someone else.
• Only the person directly involved in the decision can pray istikhaarah.
• Delegating someone else to pray istikhaarah is not allowed.

This is based on the Prophet’s guidance, emphasizing that istikhaarah is a personal act for those making decisions. By praying istikhaarah, you’re seeking Allah’s guidance and trust in His plan.

When Should You Start Praying Istikharah?

To pray Istikharah, you should:

• Have an open mind
• Not have already decided what to do

Start praying Istikharah when you first start thinking about a decision. This is because:

• Prayer and du`a can help clarify what’s best for you
• If you’ve already made up your mind, your own desires might influence your decision
• You might not make the wisest choice because you’re already set on doing something

So, pray Istikharah when you’re first considering a decision, and let Allah guide you!

What to Recite in Istikharah Prayer?

There are different opinions on what to recite in Istikharah prayer:

• Some scholars (Hanafis, Malikis, and Shafi’is) suggest:
  • Reciting “Qul ya ayyuha’l-kafirun” in the first part of the prayer
  • Reciting “Qul huwa Allahu ahad” in the second part
  • Adding other verses related to decision-making
• Others (some Salaf) recommend:
  • Reciting verses from Surah al-Qasas (verse 68) in the first part
  • Reciting a verse from Surah al-Ahzab (verse 36) in the second part
• Another group (Hanbalis and some scholars) believes:
  • There are no specific verses required for Istikharah prayer

Remember, the most important thing is to pray sincerely and seek Allah’s guidance!

When to Say the Istikharah Dua?

Most scholars agree that the Istikharah prayer (du’a) should be said:

• After finishing the prayer
• Specifically, after saying the final greeting (salaam)

This is based on the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teachings:

• Pray two parts of the prayer
• Then say the Istikharah prayer after finishing

Scholars like Shaykh Ibn Baaz and Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen emphasize:

• Say the Istikharah prayer after the final greeting (salaam)

Remember, follow the Prophet’s guidance and say the Istikharah prayer at the right time!

How to benefit properly from istikhaarah?

Many people think that after praying Istikharah, they’ll have a dream or feel a sense of ease, but that’s not always the case. Even if you don’t feel anything, you can still benefit from Istikharah by:

• Praying Istikharah
• Doing your best to find the right decision (e.g., consulting others, examining the issue)
• Moving forward with confidence, even if you don’t feel 100% sure

Signs from Allah:

• If things become easy after praying Istikharah, it may be a sign that you’re on the right path.
• If you face obstacles and difficulties, it may be a sign that Allah is guiding you away from that choice.

The Importance Of Praying Istikhaarah

There are three key reasons to pray Istikharah:

1. Total reliance on Allah: Show your need for Allah’s guidance, trust only in Him, and hand over your affairs to Him.
2. Make the right choice: Seek Allah’s help to make the best decision, achieve success, and receive divine support.
3. Acceptance and contentment: Embrace Allah’s plan, be satisfied with your circumstances, and find peace in His decree.

By praying Istikharah, you’ll:

• Feel no regret in your choices
• Experience reassurance and certainty
• Be protected from worry and grief

Remember, Istikharah connects you with Allah’s guidance and wisdom!