In a world filled with uncertainties and conflicting desires, how do you know if you’re making the right decisions? And if you’re not, how do you make a change for the better? Islam provides a beautiful answer to questions of this nature.
Allah has made a way for our hearts to find peace and calm by way of Istikhara Dua – a beautiful supplication for help and guidance in every decision. Let’s know Istikhara Dua with english translation.
How to Pray Istikhara
Salat ul Istikhara, which translates into “Prayer of Seeking Counsel,” consists of praying two units of prayer (each unit is called a Raka’ah in Arabic) and then following these two Rak’ahs by reading or reciting the Istikhara supplication.
It should be noted that these two Rak’ahs are no different to any other Rak’ahs that make up supererogatory prayers.
Evidence for the Istikhara Dua comes from different authentic narrations. The following is one of them:
“Whenever you are concerned about a choice you must make or a course of action you want to take, then offer two Rak’ahs and then say (dua)…Hadeeth collected by Al Bukhari, Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah
Istikhara Dua In Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أسْتَخِيرُكَ بعِلْمِكَ، وأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بقُدْرَتِكَ، وأَسْأَلُكَ مِن فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ؛ فإنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ ولَا أقْدِرُ، وتَعْلَمُ ولَا أعْلَمُ، وأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمْرَ خَيْرٌ لي في دِينِي ومعاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي – أوْ قالَ: عَاجِلِ أمْرِي وآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لي ويَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لي فِيهِ، وإنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمْرَ شَرٌّ لي في دِينِي ومعاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي – أوْ قالَ: في عَاجِلِ أمْرِي وآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي واصْرِفْنِي عنْه، واقْدُرْ لي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أرْضِنِي قالَ: «وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ
Transliteration
Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as’aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa ta’lamu walaa a’alamu wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal-amr (mention your concern) khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibati amriy, faqdur hu liy wa-‘yassar hu- liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibati amriy. Fa-srifhu ‘annee wa-srifni ‘anhu. Wa aqdur lial khayra haythu kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee
English Translation
“O Allah, I seek Your counsel through Your knowledge and I seek Your assistance through Your might and I ask You of Your immense favour, for indeed You alone decree fate while I do not, and You (alone) know (all things) while I do not, and You alone possess all knowledge of the Unseen. O Allah, if You that know this matter ( articulate matter) to be good for me as pertains to my religion, my life and livelihood and to the final outcomes of my affairs, then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and then bless it for me. But if You know this matter to be harmful to me as pertains to my religion, my life and livelihood and to the final outcomes of my affairs, then distance it from me and distance me from it, then decree what is good for me – wherever it may be – and content me with it.”
The Significance of Dua e Istikhara:
The significance of istikhara lies in the fact that a believer is seeking Allah’s guidance in a matter that he is confounded by. It is an acknowledgement of the limitation of human understanding, and a higher tier of wisdom that supersedes our own.
It is a validation and communication that we, His creation, are in dire need of our Creator, and that He, in His supreme power, truly is our guide in matters of confusion – a guide that knows better what is good for us in this world and the hereafter.
Why Do We Pray Dua e Istikhara
The dua we recite is actually a conversation with Allah, a substantial call to Him in a moment of dire need. We begin by acknowledging His knowledge and power, and then we extortionately ask for His immense favor. Throughout the supplication, we subjugate our own will to His instruction asking for a path that improves our spirit, in this world, and in what’s to come.
How to interpret the Indication of Istakhara! Dreams, Intuition and Easy Heading
Allah’s guidance could come in any form, so the key is to look out for clarity and/or conviction in the decision. It might not be revealed through a dream as is popularly believed. And remember, Istikhara is about finding peace and contentment with Allah’s decision, regardless of its alignment with your initial desires.
Wrapping Up!
Dua Istikhara is a reminder that we’re never alone in our journeys. This sacred prayer offers peace and clarity through surrender to God, asking for His divine help in the small moments and life’s biggest decisions. Make Istikhara part of your practice, and see how it enlightens your life and opens the doors to divine grace and companionship.
