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Table of Contents
What Is Istikhara?
Istikhara is an Islamic prayer used to seek Allah’s guidance when faced with a decision or ambiguity about a particular topic. The term “Istikhara” comes from the Arabic root word “khayr,” which means “goodness.” Istikhara can thus be translated as seeking kindness or Allah’s direction in making a decision.
Istikhara is one of the best-known Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ. However, it is also one of the most misunderstood sunnah since individuals have established many views and misconceptions about it that are not supported by Islam.
Istikhara is a combination of nafl prayers and dua in which you seek Allah’s blessings before making any crucial life decisions, such as a marriage proposal or business decisions.
Its purpose is straightforward: to seek Allah’s blessings and to pray for the good in what you’re about to perform. Because it is a direct interaction between Allah SWT and his servant, the Sunnah is to conduct Istikhara personally.
Istikhara is a simple sunnah that any Muslim can do.
It consists of three components.
- Istikhara
- Istikhara Nafl
- Istikhara Dua
When you practice Istikhara, you must have faith that Allah SWT will choose what is best for you.
In the next sections, we shall go over the specifics of Istikharah.
Istikhara In Hadith | Is It a Sunnah?
Istikhara is a Sunnah supported by numerous hadith from Rasooullah ﷺ. Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه taught us Istikhara in all matters, just as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran (source: Bukhari).
This demonstrates how important Istikhara was in the Prophet’s ﷺ eyes.
Benefits Of Istikhara
For a Muslim, praying Istikhara before all crucial matters has various advantages.
1. The Reward Of Sunnah
Performing Istikhara is a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. This is a prize in itself because obeying Raoolullah’s ﷺ sunnah is a definite method to achieve Allah SWT’s pleasure.
2. Connection With Allah SWT
Istikhara is the act of seeking Allah’s blessings in one’s affairs. By turning to Allah before doing anything, you realize that only He is the true ruler of everything and that nothing can happen without His permission. This improves your relationship with Allah SWT and makes you a better Muslim.
3. Heart Satisfaction
Allah is the ruler of rulers. No one can hurt you if you seek His blessings in your affairs through Istikhara. Knowing this provides you sukoon and heart satisfaction.
4. Confidence
Knowing that Allah SWT, the King of Kings, has selected khair for you because of Istikhara gives you confidence in your situation. Even when things don’t go as planned, you know that the true monarch has chosen this for you. This allows you to perform to your full potential and achieve your objectives.
Read More:
Dua e Istikhara | What Is Istikhara Dua (Arabic/English)
The most important aspect of practicing Istikhara is the real Dua e Istikhara taught by Rasoolullah ﷺ in hadith.
This dua is a masterpiece and a wonderful miracle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Each phrase in this Dua is perfectly employed, demonstrating Allah SWT’s total dominance and our reliance on Him.
Dua e Istikhara In Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Translation of Istikhara Dua
“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 (say the name of your matter you’re performing Istikhara for) 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 (say the name of your matter you’re performing Istikhara for) 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.” (source: Bukhari 1166)
After reading this dua, Rasoolullah ﷺ added that the person should name (mention) his/her need.
Dua e Istikhara (Image)
This video explains how to Perform the Dua e Istikhara.
Istikhara Dua Arabic Pronunciation/Recitation
To assist with pronunciation, here is an audio version of the Dua e Isktikhara in Arabic.
How To Do Istikhara? | Easy Step-by-Step Sunnah Method To Perform Istikhara
Now that you’ve studied the Sunnah dua for istikhara, let’s go over the procedure step by step.
Step #1: Istishara (Consultation With An Expert)
Istishara is the first stage before to Istikhara. It implies to seek mashwara or seek advice from a subject matter specialist.
Let me explain it.
For example, you’re unsure whether to buy a car from a dealer or straight from the owner.
To do Istikhara in this situation, first seek Istishara (advice) from someone who has purchased cars before and experinced.
Tell them about your problem and the benefits and disadvantages of each choice based on your understanding. Then solicit their feedback.
Consult with 2-3 specialists so that you have enough information to make an informed conclusion.
Make your own decision based on their suggestions. Then go to the following phase, which is Istikharah.
Apply this to any scenario.
When doing Istikhara, seek mashwara (consultation) from someone knowledgeable in the subject.
That’s what Rasoolullah ﷺ used to do.
Step #2: Make Niyat Of Istikhara
After consulting with experts in the field, it’s time to conduct istikhara and ask Allah’s blessings before making a decision.
Make the Niyat of Istikhara prayers for this.
Because Niyat denotes intention, there are no unique words for Istikhara’s niyat.
Simply say
“O Allah! I’m performing the sunnah of Istikhara to seek your blessings in my matters as taught by my master Rasoolullah ﷺ”
Step #3: Offer Istikhara Prayer
Then conduct Wazu (ablution) and offer two rakat nafl prayers for Istikhara. This is supported by several hadith of the Prophet ﷺ.
For example, Rasoolullah ﷺ is mentioned in hadith as saying,
“If anyone of you thinks of doing any job, he should offer a two rak’at prayer other than the compulsory ones (and say Istikhara dua)” (From Bukhari)
The istikhara nafl prayer, on the other hand, is optional. However, since the Prophet has suggested it, we should endeavor to offer them.
Istikhara nafl prayer is composed of two rakats and is offered in the same manner as any other nafl prayer.
You will just offer nafl 2 rakat to Istikhara while keeping your goal in mind.
Then, in the Istikhara prayers, offer two rakat in the same manner as any other nafl prayer, reciting any surahs from the Holy Quran.
Step #4: Read Dua e Istikhara
After you have completed the Istikhara nafl prayers, offer Durood o Salam on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and read the Dua e Istikhara that we mentioned in the previous part.
When you get to the part of the Dua that says أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ, state the name of the thing you want to do (for example, marriage or business). Also, remember your aim when saying the Dua e Istikhara.
After that, make whatever other dua you desire in your native tongue, seeking Allah’s blessings in all your endeavors.
Step #5: (Optional) Sleep After Istikhara
It is not necessary to sleep after Istikhara. However, after practicing Istikhara, it is best to go to sleep without speaking to anyone. Again, this is not required, but it is a common practice among researchers.
This probably assists you to stay concentrated on your Istikhara prayer so that you can receive a sign in your dreams.
However, there are no authentic Hadith recommendations on this.
What Is The Best Time To Pray Istikhara?
Except for the makruh hours listed here, you may pray Istikhara nafl at any time.
- Fajr and Sunrise
After Asr - At the hour of Zawal (just before the start of Zuhr)
Most scholars, however, recommend praying Istikhara nafl after Isha or just before going to bed.
Can You Repeat Istikhara?
Yes, if your circumstances change, you learn more about your aim, or you are dissatisfied with the initial Istikhara, you can repeat it.
What Is The Result Of Istikhara?
To begin with, you must understand that Istikhara has nothing to do with dreams. Most people do not see dreams at all. However, kids are still encouraged to perform Istikhara.
So, how do you interpret your Istikhara outcome?
Istikhara is the act of requesting Allah’s blessings, assistance, and guidance in any significant subject. When you execute Istikhara, the following outcomes may occur:
- Your heart begins to lean toward one of the possibilities.
- You grow satisfied or content with the situation.
- Circumstances change, and you are drawn away from or toward one of the possibilities.
However, you can see a dream, but it does not always occur.
If you have a dream that clearly tells you anything about your situation and your heart verifies it, take it as a sign and follow it as long as it is within the confines of Shariah.
However, if you have a confused dream or can’t interpret its meaning, tell it to a qualified scholar and ask their counsel. Avoid telling everyone about your dreams for the sake of conversation.
Finally, observe your heart’s inclination after Istikhara. If your heart is happy with a particular option after Istikhara, make tawakkal on Allah and go for it.
Can Istikhara Results Change?
Yes, the Istikhara results are not final. If you get new insights into a subject and opt to repeat Istikhara, the results may alter.
However, make sure you follow the entire Istikhara process, including Istishara (mashwara), with an expert.
Easy And Short Dua e Istikhara And Sunnah Method
If you need to make a quick decision or don’t have time to read Istikhara prayers, you can do the brief Istikhara, which is also taught in Hadith.
It is simply a dua asking Allah SWT to choose the greatest option for you.
The objective of this Istikhara, like the long one, is to connect with Allah SWT and request His assistance in all matters.
So, even after you’ve completed the detailed Istikhara, you can continue to recite this brief Istikhara dua.
Short Dua e Istikhara In Arabic
Here’s the short Dua e Istikhara in Arabic.
اَللّٰھُمَّ خِرۡلیِ وَا خۡتَرۡلیِ
Transliteration
Allahumma Khirlee Wakhtarlee
English Translation:
O Allah! make it good for me and choose for me
How To Pray Istikhara Dua For Marriage
Istikhara for marriage is highly suggested because marriage is a major life decision that should be approached with caution.
So, if you’re undecided between two marriage proposals or want to feel content before saying yes or no to a rishta, Istikhara is a must.
The Istikhara procedure and dua for marriage are the same as I’ve already discussed in this article.
Scholars, however, advocate a handful of additional actions before completing Istikhara for a girl or boy’s marriage.
Step 1: Do Background Checks (Marriage Istikhara)
The initial step is to meet the boy’s or girl’s family in person. This is critical since meeting them in person allows you to decide if they are appropriate for marriage.
It teaches you about their culture, values, ethics, manners, and family customs. Furthermore, it helps you to understand about their religious traditions and way of life.
After seeing the family, the next step is to conduct some background checks to ensure there are no discrepancies between their statements and reality.
This is extremely important, so don’t skip it.
Be extremely cautious when examining a male’s proposal for your daughter because she will have to live with that boy and his family for the rest of her life.
So, here are a few options for conducting background checks prior to marriage.
- Examine online profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
- Look for common relationships online.
- See if you know someone who works for the same company.
- If you come across any commonalities, inquire about the family.
- Similarly, go to their neighborhood mosque and ask the imam if they attend prayers on a daily basis.
- Visit their area as well and inquire about their behavior.
This is essential before doing istikhara because it provides you with a complete image and context of the proposition.
Step 2: Do Istishara (Mashwara) (Consult With Elders)
After you’ve done your homework, talk to wise seniors in your family or friend circle.
Inform them about the idea, its contents, and your study, and solicit their feedback. This is known as Istishara, and it is an important aspect of doing Istikhara for marriage.
If you are happy with the Istishara, then proceed to the Istikhara for marriage as detailed earlier in the text.
Istikhara is the same as dua for marriage.
When reading the istikhara dua, consider the marriage proposal.
How To Do Istikhara For Business Or Job
Istikhara for business, investment, or career possibilities is also widespread among Muslims.
Again, the istikhara procedure is the same.
However, there are a number of more stages here as well.
Step 1: Learn About the Requirements
Completely assess the company concept, investment opportunity, or job offer. Check to see if you satisfy its standards and if it will benefit you in the long run.
In the case of a business, see if you have prior experience in the industry. Similarly, if it is an investment opportunity, make certain that it is legitimate because there are many scammers these days.
For research, use online resources.
Step 2: Seek Expert Advice (Istishara)
Once you’ve determined the credibility of the opportunity, speak with someone who is familiar with the industry. Make sure you consult with someone who has done it successfully previously.
This is known as Istishara, and it is an important aspect of practicing istikhara for business. Don’t skip it because consulting the wrong person could cost you money.
Once you’re satisfied with your consultation and have made a decision, follow the steps in this article to execute istikhara for business. This gives your decision barakah and blessings.
The Istikhara dua for business is the same. When reading the dua, consider your business, investment, or career opportunities.
Thanks for reading Dua e Istikhara – How To Perform Istikhara (Complete Method). I hope this Dua e Istikhara will help you a lot in seeking best decision of your query. Just put a firm believe and read Dua e Istikhara in giving method.
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