Istikhara Dua – How to do, Purpose, Benefits & Signs

Man has to face many problems in life. These problems can be of different types. Sometimes, it needs to be clarified how to make decisions. What will the effects of these decisions have on the coming life, such as those related to marriage(Nikah), career, or business? A human being is called a weak mind. Because man’s understanding is not enough to make valuable decisions for himself, he wishes to consult him, versed in all kinds of knowledge.

As Muslims, we believe that Allah is the Knower of the Unseen. But how can we get help from Allah? There is a solution to this problem. To get guidance from Allah Almighty, we can pray to Allah. This prayer is called” Istikhara Dua.” it means asking for good. We ask Allah for this good. Prayer for Guidance has great importance in Islam.

Istikhara Dua in Arabic | صلوٰۃ الاستخارہ

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 ‭[mention decision here]‬ 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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Istikhara means seeking Allah’s counsel in every matter of life, big or small. Generally, when a Muslim makes any decision, they should seek Allah’s wisdom. This could include issues related to the future, marriage, divorce, business, job, education, traveling, and much more.

The most important thing is knowing that while doing istikhara, a person should firmly believe Allah will surely guide him. IfThere will be no guidance unless there is a firm belief and faith. Therefore, it is essential to have faith in the heart.
Many people ask whether Istihara is mentioned in the Quran. Well, the Quran does not clearly mention istihara dua, but it is clear from many verses that Allah’s help can be sought before starting any work.

But it is mentioned in Hanafi books. This means that we can find out whether the work will be good for us or not or how the work will affect our lives. You can also perform a short form istihara, which has a slightly different method.

It is clear from many Hadiths that the Prophet (PBUH)used to say about istikhara. This is a sunnah act of worship. He narrated that if any of you want to do any work, pray two Rakat and find out from Allah whether this work will be suitable or not for you. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to urge his companions to do istikhara in all matters. Here’s the Hadith on Salat al-Istikharah.

Once one learns how to perform Istikhara, it’s time to know the best time to perform Istikhara. It can also be performed during the day or at night. Istikhara is a sunnah prayer. So, there is no specific time to perform the Istikhara prayer. Istikhara can be performed during the Tahajjud prayer or after the Fajr, Zuhr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. Remember not to pray at a prohibited time, such as at sunrise, sunset, or after Asr prayer. Many people ask whether it is necessary to sleep after doing Istikhara. The simple answer is “no”. Sleeping after doing Istikhara dua is optional, but one can do one’s usual work.

Sleeping after the Isthikhara prayer is optional to learn the signs. After doing the Isthikhara dua, thoughts come to one’s heart. One should pay attention to these thoughts and consider whether they were like this before doing the Isthikhara or have changed now.

If his thoughts change, meaning he doesn’t feel the same as before, he must leave this work and understand that it is not Allah’s will. Indeed, he is the most knowledgeable of us. Sincerity with God means giving up your desires completely.

Consultation Prayer can be performed for any purpose. Istikhara means seeking guidance or help from God before starting any work. We can pray istikhara for any purpose, even if the task is small.
In this prayer, we seek help from Allah Almighty, saying that if this work is good for us, then make it easy for us, and if it is not suitable for us, then remove it from us. This supplication is made with the intention that surely Allah Almighty knows the knowledge of the unseen, and we do not know anything.
Istikhara prayer can be performed for career marriage proposals, before starting a business or work, or for any purpose.

Istikhara has many benefits. When we do Istikhara dua, we ask Allah for help. Indeed, He is All-Knowing, and we know nothing, and He guides us. Doing Istikhara creates a good relationship with Allah, and we also know about our work and how this work will be for us.
We are asking for help from Allah Taala, who is All-Knowing, and we do not know anything, but He guides us. There are some benefits as below;

Istikhara is an act of worship to which we receive an immediate response from Allah Almighty. We are human, and our knowledge is also limited. Every person desires to know whether something will be good for him whenever he does it.
This prayer should be performed with the intention that Allah will guide us. It can be done in all cases, whether obligatory or not. Decision-Making Prayer should be done with full confidence. As Muslims, we should do Istikhara before making any action or decision so that we get guidance and help from Allah Taala.