When a Muslim faces an important decision and does not know which path is better, Islam provides a beautiful solution Salat al-Istikhara. It is a two-rakat prayer followed by a specific dua in which a person asks Allah (SWT) to guide him toward what is good for him in this world and the Hereafter.
Istakharay Ki Dua is not about seeing a dream or receiving a sign. It is a sincere act of surrendering one’s choice to Allah (SWT) and trusting His infinite wisdom over one’s own limited understanding.
This dua is authentically reported in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith No. 6382), narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA). The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to teach this dua to his companions the same way he taught them Surahs of the Quran emphasizing how important it is in a Muslim’s daily life.
Istakharay Ki Dua in Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، 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 أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Istakharay Ki Dua – Transliteration (Roman English)
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub.
Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih.
Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
Istakharay Ki Dua In Urdu – Tarjuma
اردو ترجمہ:
اے اللہ! میں تجھ سے تیرے علم کے ذریعے بھلائی مانگتا ہوں، اور تیری قدرت کے وسیلے سے قدرت مانگتا ہوں، اور تیرے عظیم فضل سے سوال کرتا ہوں۔ بے شک تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا، اور تو غیبوں کو خوب جاننے والا ہے۔
اے اللہ! اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ کام میرے لیے میرے دین میں، میری دنیاوی زندگی میں اور میرے انجام کے لحاظ سے بہتر ہے، تو اسے میرے لیے مقدر فرما دے اور اسے میرے لیے آسان کر دے، پھر اس میں میرے لیے برکت ڈال دے۔
اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ کام میرے لیے میرے دین میں، میری دنیاوی زندگی میں اور میرے انجام کے لحاظ سے برا ہے، تو اسے مجھ سے پھیر دے اور مجھے اس سے پھیر دے، اور میرے لیے بھلائی مقدر فرما جہاں بھی ہو، پھر مجھے اس پر راضی فرما دے۔
Istakharay Ki Dua In Hindi – Meaning
ऐ अल्लाह, मैं तेरे इल्म के सहारे तुझसे रहनुमाई चाहता हूँ, और तेरी कुदरत के सहारे तुझसे ताकत चाहता हूँ, और मैं तुझसे तेरे अज़ीम फ़ज़्ल का सवाल करता हूँ। बेशक, कुदरत तेरे ही पास है और मेरे पास कोई कुदरत नहीं; तू जानता है और मैं नहीं जानता; और तू ही गैब (छुपी हुई बातों) का जानने वाला है।
ऐ अल्लाह, अगर तेरे इल्म में यह बात है कि यह मामला मेरे दीन, मेरी रोज़ी और मेरे तमाम कामों के लिए बेहतर है, तो इसे मेरे लिए मुक़द्दर फ़रमा दे, इसे मेरे लिए आसान बना दे, और इसमें मेरे लिए बरकत अता फ़रमा।
और अगर तेरे इल्म में यह बात है कि यह मामला मेरे दीन, मेरी रोज़ी और मेरे तमाम कामों के लिए नुकसानदेह है, तो इसे मुझसे दूर कर दे और मुझे इससे दूर कर दे; और मेरे लिए भलाई मुक़द्दर फ़रमा, चाहे वह कहीं भी हो, फिर मुझे उस पर राज़ी कर दे।
Istakharay Ki Dua In English – Meaning
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For indeed You have power and I have none, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it.
And if You know that this matter is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be, then make me pleased with it.“
Istakharay Ki Dua Aur Tarika – Complete Method
Performing Istikhara correctly is important. Here is the proper step-by-step method:
Step 1 – Make the Intention
Make a sincere intention in your heart that you are praying two rakahs for Istikhara regarding a specific matter.
Step 2 – Pray Two Rakahs (Nafl)
Pray two units of voluntary prayer (nafl). These should not be during the forbidden times of prayer (after Fajr until sunrise, at midday, and after Asr until sunset).
Step 3 – Recite the Dua After Salaam
After completing the prayer and giving salaam, raise your hands and sincerely recite the Istakharay Ki Dua. When you reach the words “hadhal-amr” (this matter), think about or mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance for.
Step 4 – Trust in Allah (SWT)
After making the dua, act upon whatever your heart inclines toward. If the matter becomes easy and positive, it is likely good. If obstacles appear and your heart pulls away, that is also guidance from Allah (SWT).
Important Note: Istikhara can be repeated. There is no requirement to see a dream. Many scholars say that the sign of Istikhara is the ease or difficulty you feel in proceeding with the matter.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is for general Islamic educational and informational purposes only. All duas, translations, and Islamic information are compiled from authentic sources including the Quran and Hadith. We have made every effort to ensure accuracy, however, minor differences in translation and transliteration may exist across various scholarly references.
When To Read Istakharay Ki Dua
Salat al-Istikhara should be performed when:
- You are considering marriage with someone
- You are choosing between two job offers or business decisions
- You are making a major life decision such as moving to a new city
- You need to choose between two permissible paths and cannot decide
- Any important matter where the outcome is uncertain
It should not be performed for things that are already obligatory (like praying Salah) or clearly forbidden in Islam. Istikhara is for permissible decisions where both options appear valid.
Benefits of Performing Istikhara
1. Direct Connection with Allah (SWT)
Istikhara is a conversation with Allah (SWT). It reminds the believer that true control belongs only to Him. This builds deep tawakkul (reliance on Allah).
2. Peace of Heart
After performing Istikhara, a Muslim feels a sense of inner peace because he has placed his trust in Allah’s wisdom rather than his own limited judgment.
3. Protection from Regret
The Prophet (PBUH) said that a person will never regret making Istikhara. Whatever Allah (SWT) decrees after sincere supplication is the best outcome for that person.
4. Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)
Performing this prayer is directly following the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who taught this dua as one of the most important supplications a Muslim can make.
5. Removes Confusion
In moments of confusion and indecision, Istikhara brings clarity not always through a dream, but through the path that Allah (SWT) opens or closes for you.
Read Also: Mitti Dene Ki Dua
Conclusion
Istakharay Ki Dua is one of the most powerful gifts that Islam has given to every Muslim. It is a direct line to Allah (SWT) in moments of uncertainty, confusion, and important decision-making. Through this prayer and dua, a believer acknowledges his own limitations and submits fully to the infinite wisdom of his Creator.
Whether it is a matter of marriage, career, or any major life decision, performing Istikhara with sincerity and proper method is a Sunnah that brings barakah, peace, and the best outcome even if the outcome is not what the heart initially desired.
May Allah (SWT) grant every Muslim the tawfiq to perform Istikhara regularly and accept it from all of us. Ameen.
? FAQs About Istakharay Ki Dua
Q1: Kya Istikhara karne ke baad koi khwab aana zaroori hai?
Nahi. Khwab dekhna Istikhara ki shart nahi hai. Scholars ka kehna hai ke Istikhara ke baad jo raasta khulta ya band hota hai, woh Allah (SWT) ki taraf se guidance hai.
Q2: Istakharay Ki Dua kitni baar parhi ja sakti hai?
Istikhara ko ek hi martaba karna kafi hai. Lekin agar dil ko tasalli na ho, toh teen ya saat baar tak parhna bhi jaiz hai.
Q3: Kya Istikhara sirf shaadi ke liye hota hai?
Nahi. Istikhara kisi bhi zaroori aur mubah (permissible) faisle ke liye kiya ja sakta hai job, safar, ghar, karobar, waghaira.
Q4: Kya Istikhara har waqt parh sakte hain?
Istikhara ke liye do nafl namaaz padhi jati hai. Is liye namaz ke manhi (forbidden) awqat mein nahi parh sakte. Baqi awqat mein parh sakte hain.
Q5: Agar dono raaste barabar lagein toh kya karein?
Mashaikh ka mashwara hai ke Istikhara ke baad jis taraf dil zyada mile aur raaste mein asani ho, usi taraf qadam uthayein aur Allah par bharosa rakhein.
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