Dua Istikhara Meaning (Prayer) in English, Arabic with Translation

Dua Istikhara Meaning and Istikhara Full Prayer Method

Dua istikhara is an important prayer in Islam to seek guidance from Allah when faced with an important decision. This dua allows Muslims to make decisions that are best for their worldly life and afterlife.

What is the Dua of Istikhara Prayer?

Dua istikhara literally means ‘seeking goodness from Allah’. It is a prayer recited by Muslims when they are faced with an important decision and want to make the choice that is best for them.

Some key points about dua istikhara:

• It is performed when a Muslim needs guidance on major life decisions like marriage, job, migration, business deals etc.
• The dua is recited after two rakat nafl prayers and consultations with family/friends.
• After the dua, one should reflect deeply before making the final decision. Any dreams or inclinations felt should also be considered.
• Ultimately, after putting in sincere efforts, one should put full trust in Allah’s plan.

Dua Istikhara in Arabic with Translation

Here is the Arabic text, transliteration, and English translation of dua istikhara:

Arabic Text

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرِنِي بِهِ

Transliteration

Allāhumma innī astakhīruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min faḍlikal-‘aẓīm fa innaka taqdiru walā aqdiru wa ta‘lamu walā a‘lamu wa anta ‘allāmul-guyūb. Allāhumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hādhāl-amra khairul lī fī dīnī wa ma‘āshī wa ‘āqibati amrī faqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī thumma bārik lī fīhi wa in kunta ta‘lamu anna hādhāl-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa ma‘āshī wa ‘āqibati amrī fasrifhu ‘annī wasrifnī ‘anhu waqdur līyal-khaira ḥaythu kāna thumma arinī bih.

English Translation

“O Allah, I seek your guidance through your knowledge, and I seek ability through your power, and I ask you of your great blessings. Indeed, you are able while I am not. You know while I do not, and you are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if you know that this matter (mention it) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and in my affairs, immediate and in the long-term, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if you know that this matter is detrimental for my religion, my livelihood and in my affairs, immediate and in the long-term, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And choose what is good for me, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”

When to Recite Dua Istikhara

Dua istikhara can be recited whenever a Muslim is confused or uncertain about a decision in major aspects of life. Some common situations where people perform istikhara prayer are:

• Deciding between potential marriage partners
• Choosing a new job or career path
• Selecting a college or university
• Making a major purchase like house or car
• Determining whether to relocate to a new city or country
• Starting a new business venture or partnership

However, istikhara should not be treated as a way to shift responsibility for the final outcome. A person must still put in effort to make the decision using their intelligence and wisdom. Istikhara is the final step to seek Allah’s blessings after human capacity has been exhausted.

How to Perform Dua Istikhara

Here are the basic steps to perform the istikhara prayer correctly:

1. Make intention (niyyah) to perform two cycles of prayer (raka’at) for istikhara.
2. Perform wudu (ablution) if needed. Face the qibla and perform two rak’at nafl prayer. Recite Surah al-Fatihah and any other surah in each cycle.
3. After completing the prayer, recite the dua istikhara in Arabic first. Then recite it in your own language to fully understand the meaning.
4. Open your heart to accept Allah’s guidance and will for you.
5. Reflect deeply over the decision for a few days. Consider any dreams or inclinations you experience. Consult your heart, mind, family and friends.
6. Finally, make the decision that seems best to you after the reflection period. Have full faith that it is the best outcome decreed by Allah.

Interpreting Dreams and Signs after Istikhara

Many people experience dreams or other signs after performing istikhara prayer. Here is how to interpret them:

• Clear dream: If you see a clear symbol or sign in a dream that directly indicates whether the decision is good or bad, accept it as guidance from Allah.
• Unclear dream: An unclear or confusing dream is not considered guidance for the decision.
• No dream: Lack of any dream is also acceptable. You should consider other factors and use your judgement.
• Thoughts and feelings: Strong positive or negative thoughts and feelings after the dua can also provide guidance from Allah.
• Life circumstances: Events unfolding in your life after istikhara could be indicative of Allah’s will. Be patient and perceptive.

Ultimately, the istikhara dua is a means to seek Allah’s blessing and submit to His decree with contentment and gratitude.

Benefits and Blessings of Performing Istikhara

Some major benefits and blessings of regularly performing salat ul istikhara in one’s life are:

• It allows Muslims to make decisions best aligned with the Quran and Sunnah. This brings peace in this life andreward in the Hereafter.
• The dua helps avoid haste, negligence or regret in major decisions. It ensures one is thoughtful and puts full trust in Allah’s plan.
• Allah often guides people through dreams and whispers of the heart towards a decision that is khair (best) for their faith and worldly life.
• Muslims are encouraged to take a positive approach after istikhara – being content with any outcome that Allah chooses for them. This develops trust and rida (satisfaction) in Allah’s qadr (destiny).
• Regular istikhara instills humility and awareness that all matters are under Allah’s control. A believer therefore strives and plans to the best of their ability while accepting that the final result is from Almighty Allah alone.

In essence, dua istikhara allows believers to make the best efforts in using their intellect, consulting with loved ones, and then happily submitting to the ultimate wisdom of the Creator, who knows what is best for us in a way we cannot comprehend.

Conclusion

Dua istikhara is a special prayer taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to seek guidance when confused about major decisions in life. The dua is made after two rakat nafl prayers and open-hearted reflection. One should have positive thoughts about any signs received or decisions made after istikhara. Ultimately it develops tawakkul (reliance) in Allah’s infinite knowledge, wisdom, and mercy. Regularly performing salat ul istikhara leads to serenity and blessings in a Muslim’s life by always choosing the course aligned with the greater plan of the Almighty.