FELLOW MUSLIMS: A question about Isthikhara prayer?

Question

I wanted to know if any of you have prayed it, and if it has helped to resolve your issue (inshallah).

While prayer isthikhara, I have often been confused as to what the intention has to be... Do I ask about a certain future event, or about a event already happening?

And can someone give me the English version of the arabic, the du'a in arabic but written in English for isthikhara. I read the quran in arabic but I find reading dua's in english easier for me.

Thanks :) ... MoonLit

Answer 1

Jabir Bin Abdullah (RA) said: The Prophet (pbuh) used to teach us to seek Allah's Counsel in all matters, as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. He would say: When anyone of you has an important matter to decide, let him pray two Rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayer, and then say:

Transliteration:

Allaahumma 'innee 'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka min fadhlikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa 'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal'-amra -[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree -[or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi.

Meaning:

O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and I beseech You for Your Magnificent Grace. Surely, You are Capable and I am not . You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter -[then mention the thing to decide] - is good for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: in this life and the afterlife] - then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You that this matter is bad for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: in this life and the afterlife] - then distance it from me, and distance me from it, and ordain for me what is good whenever it may be, and help me to be content with it.

Whoever seeks the counsel of the Creator will not regret it and whoever seeks the advice of the belivers will feel confident about his decisions. Allah said in Quran:

"And consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah."


Istikhara is done after any 2 Rakah, as long as it's not an obligatory prayer, any time of the day or night. One can pray a Nafl just for the sake of Istikhara or he can make Istikhara after any sunnah such as regular sunnahs, tahiyat al-Masjid, sunat al-wudu, etc. The Prophet said in the hadith of Jabir narrated by Bukhari about Istikhara, "... then let him pray two Rakah, not from the obligatory, and then say ..." After one makes tasleem from the two rakah, he can make the dua of Istikhara. But there are some scholars, like ibn Taymiyah, who say you make dua of Istikhara before Tasleem, since before tasleem is for dua and after tasleem is for Dhikr!!

This dua is like any other dua, it may or may not be answered (Allah knows best). People talk about seeing a dream or a sign etc, but the consensus of the scholars is that, in most cases you have already have an inclination towards a particular thing to be decided. Then you should go for it, continue on it, even if you face hurdles. If Allah does not want you to go on a particular path, you will know for sure. e.g if its a case of marriage. You have decided on a particular girl/boy as the case may be. Go ahead with the plans, if Allah does not want it to happen, may be the parents will say No and the marriage will not happen .

And Allah knows best

Answer 2

Salaams,
My sister, you who are the light within my eyes.

Allah knows what is in each child's heart.
Seeking Allah's guidance is known even before you ask.

Having sincere and pure intentions are necessary.
This is what Allah asks of us all.

There are many interpretations of the answer to question you have posed.

May the Light of Allah shine within you, and may this allow your heart to melt into that which is the Noor.

I have faith you will make the correct choice, what ever it may be!

Isthikhara prayer for guidance will benefit you, just show patience.

Answer 3

Many good answers so i will answer in short.

Istikhara after a two Rak`at Mustahab Salat

Imam al‑Jawad (as) aid: `It is best that you seek the best (from Allah) after a two rakat Salat.

Imam al‑Sadiq (as), said: `If any of you wish to do something, (then start off by) praying a two rak`at Salat and praise and extol Allah and send blessings on the Prophet and his family then say:

O' Allah if there is good in this action for me in my religion and in my life, then make it easy for me and destine it for me; but if it is other than this, then turn it away from me.

Imam Jafar al‑Sadiq (as) said: "When you have finished Salat al‑Fajr, then lift up your hands such that they are in front of your face and say the following:

O' Allah, verily You know (better) and we do not know and you are the Knower of the Unseen, so send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and give me the best in all that I resolve to do of that which will be a blessing and good (for me).

Then go into sajdah and say the following line one hundred times:

I ask the best from Allah by Your Mercy, and I seek the power and strength to perform this good work from Allah. "

Then, ask for your (legitimate) desires since in this is what is good for you in whatever happens.


W Sallam

Answer 4

Dua'a in Arabic and English...

http://islam.about.com/blistikhara.htm

After the prayer you'll either see a dream "In Some Scholars view" or you'll see the matters go easily or difficultly...

Answer 5

In my opinion it does. If youre truly praying it from your heart and meaning it than Allah (SWA) will give you want you need.

My brother prayed it to ask Allah (SWA) about getting married to this girl. After five days he saw the girls father (whom passed away) in his dream as though hes giving him a sign. And alhamdullah theyve been married for 2 years now.

I truly believe if it comes form your heart it will work.

Answer 6

Very good question ! here is the link for the correct summarize method of istikhara and duas told by Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) and his holy family ( Peace be upon them).

http://duas.org/istikhara.htm

Guranateed Helpful !

Answer 7

yes I prayed it.yes it helped me.
you can ask about a certain future event, and about an event already happening.

Answer 8

Dua must be read in Arabic - use translation for understanding.

Translation:

Oh Allah! I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.

Oh Allah! If in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.

Transliteration:

Allahumma inni astakheeroka bi ilmik. Wa'astaq-diroka biqodratik. Wa'as'aloka min fadlikal-azeem. Fa'innaka taqdiru wala aqdir. Wata lamo wala-a lam. Wa'anta-allamul ghuyoob.

Allahumma in kunta ta lamu anna (hathal-amra*) khayul-lee fi deenee wama ashi wa ajila amri wa'ajilah, faqdorho lee, wayassirho lee, thomma-barik lee fih. Wa'in konta ta lamo anna (hathal-amra*) sharrul-lee fi deenee. Wama ashi. Wa ajila amri. Wa'ajilaho. Fasrifho annee. Wasrifnee anh. Waqdur leyal-khayr haytho kan. Thomma ardini bih.

Answer 9

allah humma innee asta kheeru ka bi ilmi ka wa as taqdiruka bi qudratika wa asluka min fadhlikal azheem. fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam wa anta allaamul ghuyoob. allah humma in kunta ta'lamu anna HAATHAL AMRA khayrul li fi deeni wa ma'aashi wa aaqibati amri. faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fih. wa in kunta ta'lamu anna HAATHAL AMRA sharrulli fi deeni wa ma'aashi wa aaqibati amri. fa asrif hu anni wa asrifhu anh. waqdur liyal khayra haythu kaana thumma ardini bih.

when reaching the capitilized words, think of the matter which u r doing it 4

Answer 10

yes actually i did , it really helps , but I'm so sorry i don't know how to give it to u in english , hope somebody will help u , and i wish u get the good for u, by the way ur goodlooking muslim girl