How to Perform Istikhara Namaz, Dua Istikhara ka Tariqa in English

Dua Istikhara: Every time a Muslim makes a decision, he or she should seek the guidance and wisdom of Allah. Allah alone knows what is best for us, and there can be good in what we see as bad, and bad in what we see as good.

Dua Istikhara means seeking goodness from Allah, which means that when one intends to do an important task, he does istikhara before the task. The one doing the istikhara is as if they are asking Allah Almighty, O the Knower of the Invisible, to guide me whether this task is better for me or not?

The word Istikhara استخارة comes from the root words خ-ي-ر in the Arabic language. The 10th feminine verbal noun (إِسْتَفْعَلَ) of that root is إِسْتَخْارَة (the tenth form usually conveys the meaning of “someone who is looking for something”). Hence in this case – (human beings) seek KHAIR (goodness, prosperity, guidance, blessings etc.) from Allah. Khayr is an umbrella word that represents all good.

Narrated by Jabir bin `Abdullah:“ The Prophet (SAWS) taught us the way to do Dua Istikhara (Istikhara means asking Allah to guide someone to the right kind of action regarding a job or an act), in all matters like him taught us the Suras of the Quran … ”[Bukhari]

How to perform Istikhara Namaz with Istikhara Dua?

It has been quoted in the Hadiths that when a person makes an intention for something then he should pray two Rakats Nafl.

A person who is going to perform he/she must be in ghusal and wadu
Before going to sleep pray Two Cycles (raka’) of Prayer (nafil) for salat-ul-istikhara
In the first raka’ after Surah Fatiha (Allhamdu Lilah..) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109)
In the second raka’ after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112)
After finishing your prayer read this Dua that is in Arabic Text above
It is better to sleep with ablution (wazu, ghusal)
You should sleep facing the direction of the Qiblah because it’s Sunnah
It’s better to recite Durood on the Prophet (s.a.w صلى الله عليه وسلم) before and after the above Dua
Insha Allah, you will see a dream having a message about your choice
If it does not happen then do it again

If you want to recite in English

In the first Rakat after Surah 'Fatiha' (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun 'QuI Yaa Ayyuhal Kafiroon' and in the second Rakat after Surah 'Fatiha' (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas 'QuI Huwallaho Ahad' After finishing prayer, recite this (supplication/dua'):

Dua

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 khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy wa-'aaqibat amriy, faqdur hu liy wa- liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta'lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma'aashiy wa-'aaqibat amriy. Fa asrifhu 'annee wa-srifni 'anhu. Wa aqdur lial khayra haythu kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee.

Note: In this supplication instead of the words “haadhal-amr” mention your need or just think about it. It is better to perform Istikharah seven times, for it is mentioned in one Hadith: “O Anas !! When you intend any matter, seek to know its suitability from your Lord seven times – then reflect upon what transpires in your heart, indeed that only is better.”

Dua Istikhara Meaning in English:

"O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."

At the beginning of the Dua and at the end, recite Surah 'Fatiha' (Allhamd…) and Durood Sharif.

How many times to preform Istikhara?

It depends. Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer as explained in the section below, stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).

If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara.

Asking for Guidance About Decision

1. Pray the Dua Istikhara when you have to make a decision. Performing Istikhara is appropriate when you need to make a non-mandatory decision. It is a powerful prayer of guidance when you are in doubt about a decision.

Examples could be:

1. Choosing a university or graduate school.
2. Decide whether to accept a job offer.
3. Choosing a spouse.
4. House on Rent or Buy or Sell
5. Career Decision or Future Decision

Perform Istikhara after Salat al-Fajr or Salat al-Lail. It is always best to recite two rak’ah before asking for guidance. It is recommended to include Istikhara in your morning prayer (Salat al-Fajr) or after Salat al-Lail. Salat al-Lail is a voluntary late night prayer. It has no obligatory number of rak’ah, but when you perform it, it must be after the obligatory Isha or night prayer.

Keep in mind:

There are so many people who offer to pray Dua Istikhara for you and they ask for it, never go to such people. They also run their ads online and just make money from it. if you think you cannot or will not do it alone, ask an imam (mufti) nearby to do it for you. (but I wonder why you don’t want to do it alone)

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Tuesday, September 27, 2022

How to Perform Istikhara Namaz, Dua Istikhara ka Tariqa in English