Istikhara Dua- The Methods, Benefits & Tasbeeh of Dua Istikhara
Meaning of Istikhara:
The word istikhara ts an Arabic terms that means “seeking guidance” from Allah when a person is unsure about a decision.It is commonly associated with Salat al Istikhara, a special prayer performed byMuslims to ask for Allah’s guidance in making important life decisions, such as choosing a job, getting married, or making other significant choices.
Whenever a Muslim faces difficulty in deciding what is best for him then he offers the Istikhara prayer. There is no issue in reciting the Dua as it is Sunna and initially it was recited by Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). For solving such issues, it is recommended act for every Muslim to recite the Dua Istikhara.
Dua Istikhara with Urdu Translation:
The Istikhara Dua in Arabic states that:
اللَّھُمَّ إنّٖي أسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَ لَا أَقْدِرُ وَلَا تَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
اَللَّھُمَّ إِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ ھَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرُ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسّٖرُہُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ کُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ ھَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرُّ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ کَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ
Which can be translated in Urdu as:
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 نہیں جانتا اور تو غیبوں کو خوب جانتا ہے۔اے اللہ! اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لیے میرے دین؛میرے معاش اور میرے انجام کار کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے تو اس کا میرے حق میں فیصلہ کر دے اور اسے میرے لیے آسان کر دے۔پھر میرے لیے اس میں برکت ڈال دے اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ بے شک یہ کام (اس کام کا نام لے) میرے لیے میرے دین’میرے معاش اور میرے انجام کار کے لحاظ سے برا ہے تو اسے مجھ سے دور کر دے اور مجھے اس سے دور کر دے اور میرے لیے بھلائی کا فیصلہ کر دے جہاں بھی وہ ہو پھر مجھے اس پر راضی کر دے۔
Dua Istikhara in Roman English:
Allahumma innee astakeerouka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as’aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru Wala 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 thummal 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
Dua Istikhara in English:
Dua Istikhara in English is:
O Allah, with your knowledge seek the good, with Your power I seek ability and Your mighty favour for certainly You have the power that I do not have, You Know and I do not Know and Know the unseen. O ALLAH, in Your knowledge if this work(mention your matter here) is good for me in this Duniya and Akirah ( hereafter), then let it be for me, grant me blessing in it and if it is bad for me then keep it for away from me and grant me any destiny that will make me happy.
Method of Offering The Dua Istikhara Tasbeeh:
There are various method of reciting the Dua istikhara, the uncomplicated methods are highlighted below:
Method of Dua Istikhara:
1.Perform Wudu:(Ablution): Start by performing Wudu.
2.Pray Two Rak’ah Nafil: Offer two voluntary Rak’ah of seeking Allah’s guidance.
- In the first Rak’ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, you can recite any Surah from the Quran.
- In the second Rak’ah, similarly, recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by another short Surah.
- After finishing both Rak’ah and the Tashahhud (sitting position), say the Salam (peace greeting) to conclude the prayer.
3. Recite Tasbeeh (Glorifications of Allah): After the prayer, you can engage in Tasbeeh such as:
- SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) 33 times
- Alahmdulillah (Praise be to Allah) 33 times
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) 34 times
This Tasbeeh helps focus the heart & mind before reciting the Dua Istikhara.
4. Recite the Dua Istikhara: After completing the Tasbeeh, recite the Dua Istikhara with sincerity, seeking Allah’s guidance in the matter you’re concerned about.
5. Trust in Allah’s Guidance: After reciting the Dua, place your trust in Allah. Be patient & open to Allah’s direction.
6.Optional: Continue with Additional Tasbbe or Dhikr:
You can continue to engage in more Tasbeeh or Dhikr after the Dua. Recite
La ilaha illallah (There is no God but Allah)
or other forms of rememberance.
Benefits of Dua Istikhara:
There are ample benefits of reciting the Dua istikhara. They can be listed down as follows:
1. One’s doubts can we easily be cleared by Istikhara ki Dua
2. It encourages the understanding and mutual will of a person
3. Allah’s help is provided through this process
4. It assigns us mental peace
5. It helps us in differentiating between good vs bad
6. Istikhara solemn over belief towards Allah
7.Relief from Anxiety & Confusion
Most Common FAQs About Dua Istikhara:
- Is Dua Istikhara authentic to perform?
Yes, reciting the Dua Istikhara is completely authentic and Sunnah as it was followed by the Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).
- How many Rakkahs to perform before reciting Dua Istikhara?
Two Nafil Rakkahs to be performed with complete cleanliness, physically and mentally before reciting the Istikhara.
- How are the result of Istikhara revealed?
The result of Istikhara can reveal in several ways, such as through dreams or special sign or thoughts.
- Can someone else do Istikhara for us?
Anyways or educated person can do Istikhara for anyone but doing Istikhara on a self basis is considered a much favourable act.
- In what conditions can we perform the Dua Istikhara Tasbeeh?
One can perform the whole process if he/she is confused about choosing the right thing for him/her, that can include choosing between jobs, spouse, or University.
What if I feel confused after Istikhara?
Feeling confused is common. In such cases, continue to seek guidance through prayer & contemplation, &trust that Allah will guide you to what is best.
