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“Amongst the happiness of Muslims is Istikhara seeking the best from Allah and contentment upon what is ordained by Allah for him. And amongst the misery of people is disregard for Istikhara to Allah and resentment for what is ordained by Allah” Prophet Hadith.
What Is Istikhara Prayer In Islam
Istikhara or Salat al-Istikhara is a beautiful gift that Allah SWT has blessed us with. It is derived from the Arabic word Khair which means good. And its literal meaning is “to seek Allah’s guidance” over different matters. When a believer is confused while making any decision, he can opt for Salat al-Istikhara or Istikhara Prayer. It is a form of non-obligatory prayer, followed by Istikhara Dua. Indeed, Allah has made guidance easy for those who want to get guided.
Istikhara is a gift from Allah for Muslims. When a Muslim is confused about a matter, he can ask Allah for help and guidance to provide aid. It is a powerful tool that God, the Compassionate, has given his slaves to seek His Guidance and Wisdom in all matters of life. This Article aims to elaborate the meaning of Istikhara, its ruling and benefits in Islam, and the etiquettes one has to endorse during Istikhara.
Importance Of Dua Istikhara
Undoubtedly, a believer strives to seek Allah’s guidance in every matter. Salat Al-Istikhara is a vessel to it. In simpler words, it helps us come to a decision when we are confused. However, it is very important to know about Istikhara before performing it. It should be clear in our mind that it is not any kind of magic potion. In fact, it is the third tier of the decision-making process.
– The first step of any decision-making comprises Aql or intelligence. Our intelligence and capabilities exemplify the gift of Allah to us. It’s our abilities that make us evaluate any situation and form a decision. Make use of your intelligence to assess your situation. Form a clear picture of negatives and positives. Evaluate the impact of your decision and complete your research.
– The second step is Istisharah. It means seeking advice. The concept of Shura is important in Islam. Seek advice from your family, friends, or whomsoever you think trustworthy. Assess their views and advice and use your intelligence to narrow down your options.
– The final step is performing Istikhara. Keep in mind that we have wanted Allah’s wisdom, support, and blessings since step one. We perform Salatul Istikhara when we are struggling to come to a decision. It also makes our hearts content and at peace after we reach the decision.
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When Do You Pray Istikhara
Concerning the expression “the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to teach us to make Istikhara in all things”, Ibn Abi Jamrah said:
It is an overall expression that points to something explicit. As to issues that are mandatory or recommended, there is no requirement for Istikhara to choose whether to do it ot not, and with respect to issues that are prohibited or loathed, there is no requirement for Istikhara to choose whether to stay away or do it.
The issue of Istikhara is restricted to permitted or recommended matters when there is a choice or confusing about 2 things. I say: it directs towards both incredible and little matters, and presumably, a small issue could shape the basis for a major issue.
For example, It’s invalid to make it for deciding whether one should go to the movies or not.
Also, it is not performed for deciding over things that are already obligated.
For example, one cannot perform it to decide whether to pray Fajr prayer or not.
Advice Before To Pry Istikhara
When To Preform Istikhara
There are many cases where Muslims can pray Istikhara:
- Deciding the matter of marriage.
- Starting a business.
- Buying property or merchandise.
- Struggling with the decision.
- Confusing after your full research.
- You received mixed advice.
- Your heart and mind are still looking for answers.
How To Pray Make Perform Istikhara
It is important to know that Istikhara is not part of obligatory prayer. This means you cannot pray obligatory (Fard) Prayer and end it with Dua Istikharah and count it. As a sunnah, it is separate 2 Raka’ah that are voluntary and optional.
- Make goof intention “Niyyah” for Istikhara.
- Pray 2 Raka’ats as you usually pray 2 raka’ah for other sunnah prayer.
- Recite Istikhara Dua and mention your need.
Best Time To Pray Salat Istikhara
Unlike the 5 obligatory prayers, which have their own set timings, there is no specific time to for it. You may perform Istikhara at any time of the day except during the forbidden hours, which are:
1. After Fajr prayer until sunrise.
2. When the sun is at its meridian until it goes past before Zuhr.
3. After Asar prayer until sunset.
This prohibition is based on the hadith of the Prophet s.a.w:
“When the sun rises until it goes high in the horizon, when the sun is at its meridian until it goes past the meridian, and when the sun sets until it is totally down.” (Sahih Muslim)
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Dua Istikhara Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمَكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِك وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيم
فَإِنَّك تَقْدِر وَلَا أَقْدِر وَتَعْلَم وَلَا أَعْلَم وَأَنْت عَلَّام الْغُيُوب
اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْت تَعْلَم أَن هَذَا الْأَمْرخَيْر لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْري
فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيه
وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَم أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْر شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي
فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْث كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِه
Istikhara Dua Transliteration English
Allaahumma innee astakheruka bi’ilmika,
wa’astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa’as’aluka min fadhtikal
Adheemi, fa’innaka taqdiru walaa ‘aqdiru,
wata’lamu, wala a’lamu, wa’Anta ‘Allamul-Ghuyob,
Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra
[then mention the thing to be decided]
Khayrun lee fee dene wa ma’aashee wa’aqibati ‘amre
[or say] Aajilihi wa’aajilihi
Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu le thumma barik lee feh,
ًa ‘in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra sharrun lee
fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati ‘amre
[or say] Aajilihi waajilihi
Fasrifhu ‘anne wasrifne anhu waqdur
liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardhine bih.
Istikhara Dua 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 ….. 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,
O, Allah! If You know that this …… 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 added that then the person should name (mention) his need”.
Istikhara Dua In Urdu
اے اللہ! بے شک میں تجھ سے تیرے علم کے ساتھ بھلائی طلب کرتا ہوں اور تجھ سے تیری قدرت کے ساتھ طاقت طلب کرتا ہوں اور میں تجھ سے تیرے فضل عظیم کا سوال کرتا ہوں کیونکہ تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا ، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہہیں جانتا اور تو غیبوں کو خوب جانتا ہے۔ اے اللہ اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کا م (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لئے میرے دین ، میرے معاش اور میرے انجا م کار کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے تو اس کا میرے حق میں فیصلہ کر دے اور اسے میرے لئے آسان کر دے ، پھر میرے لئے اس میں برکت ڈال دے اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لئے میرے دین، میرے معاش اور میرے انجام کارکے لحاظ سے برا ہے تو اسے مجھ سے دور کر دے اور مجھے اس سے دور کر دے اور میرے لئے بھلائی کا فیصلہ کر دے جہاں بھی وہ ہو ، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے ۔
Why Istikhara Dua
It is important to realize the presence of God in one’s life. This helps the believer overcome many difficulties and make decisions. It is also one of the ways that strengthens our relationship with God Almighty. It is also the Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH and his righteous companions.
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to teach Istikhara to his companions in all matters just as he used to teach them the Surahs from the Qur’an. He used to say,
“If anyone of you intends to do something, he should offer 2 Raka’at other than the compulsory prayers, and after finishing it, he should make it”.
Benefits Of Dua Istikhara
Istikhara has countless benefits and rewards:
- It acts as a means to get closer to Allah.
- It establishes our reliance on Allah.
- It helps us come to a fruitful decision.
- Knowing it is best for us.
- It is a part of the Sunnah.
- It is a form of Worship.
Ruling Of Istikhara Prayer
Final Words
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FAQs
How do you know if your Istikhara worked
After performing the Sunnah Istikhara prayer, do note that the answer might not come immediately. If there is greater conviction or clarity on a certain pathway, you may feel more drawn toward the outcome. If it’s beneficial for you, you will feel content and happy about it.
What after Istikhara what happens
Keep a firm belief that you will be answered soon. It is normal practice to keep doing it till the answer is achieved. Keep making Dua and do not lose hope.
Istikhara dua for someone else
It is recommended to perform it by yourself to seek the decision. Then everyone involved should all be praying their own Istikhara. It is necessary to perform 2 Raka’ats prayers and then make Dua.
Dua Istikhara for decision
Allah is the All-Knowing and Most-Generous. He listens to us even when we have things in our hearts and not on our lips. He is the All-Aware. Istikhara is a vessel to get more and more of His blessings. Having trust and faith in Allah is the essence of our every act.
Istikhara dua for guidance
Then know that God simply hasn’t placed that inclination in your heart yet. This could be a sign that God wants you to keep begging Him and asking Him for His Divine Help and Assistance in this process. Keep making duʿāʾ. But never lose hope. Even if you asked a thousand times with no response, that’s no reason to stop asking.
What can you do Istikhara for
Yes, because it’ll increase the blessings in your actions. The companions [rḍA] would make istikhāra even for simple everyday things.
Istikhara Dua online
It is enough just to pray 2 Raka’ah. The Prophet explicitly said that performing the two rak’ahs, you can recite the supplication alone if it is something you choose to do consistently, or if you have an immediate decision. So for a sister who is not currently praying, it is completely correct and acceptable for her to do this dua only without the physical prayer.
Dua E Istikhara Arabic
Say the Dua in English and know that God understands your prayers to Him no matter what language you speak. And as always, pray to God from your heart. God wants to know that you are truly and sincerely begging Him alone. If it is better to convey that in a language other than Arabic, then so be it.
Dou3a istikhara
The Prophet did not specify a number for us. So, whether it was once or a thousand times, it all depends on the individual. If you don’t yet feel inclined to make a decision, keep asking. If you feel an inclination, know that it is from God and accept it. There is no need to keep asking to “make sure” Istikhara.
How to pray salat Istikhara
Pray 2 raka’at either with the intention of Istikhara separately or with 2 rakat of tahajjud. Then after you complete the 2 rakats, recite the below mentioned Istikhara Dua.
Istikhara dua for marriage
Here is the istikharah dua for marriage in English: Oh Allah! I ask for the good of your knowledge, and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask for your great blessings because you have the power and I don’t have the power. You know everything, I don’t know, and you have unseen knowledge.
Istikhara dua for someone else
Istikharah is permissible for others and there is no harm in it because it is part of supplication for others. In doing so, you must change the personal pronouns to refer to the person for whom you are doing the istikhara by stating their actual name and providing the pronouns in the third person.
Istikhara dua short
Oh Allah, I ask for goodness from Your knowledge, I seek strength from your power. And I ask You for your greatest blessings; You are able to do anything, and I am not. You know everything and I do not, and You know the unseen.
How to make perform Istikhara prayer
Istikhara prayer is performed in 2 raka’at like other Sunnah prayers. Second, give the Takbir and perform a two raka’at prayer. After ending with the Salam, invoke upon Allah s.w.t. with the manners of making Dua.
Short Istikhara dua
The Prophet outlined a beautiful supplication that we can say when we are stuck between two choices. This dua reminds us that asking others, or thinking on our own, always has limits. We always need help and guidance from our Creator. Whatever the decision, small or large, it is always important to be in conversation with God, to ask Him, to consult Him—so that you may consult with God too!
Istikhara dawat e islami
Allāh is accessible to all. Even the greatest sinner can turn back and ask Allāh. This is a sign of your sincerity and trust in Allāh.
Al Istikhara prayer
Because it is the Prophet who taught us this dua and once we pronounce the same words that he uttered, we get additional blessings. In addition, his companions would say that the Messenger taught them this supplication as he taught them parts of the Qur’an.
Final Words On Istikhara Dua
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Verily the most helpless of people are those unable to supplicate…”
