Introduction
Istikhara Dua is a powerful supplication used by Muslims when facing a decision or crossroad in life. It assists in seeking Allah’s guidance, acknowledging that only He knows the unseen and what is truly best for us. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this Istikhara Dua and accompanying prayer as a method of relying on Allah in every matter—big or small. Whether you’re choosing a job, deciding on marriage, or making any significant life choice, Istikhara brings peace and clarity through spiritual sensitivity.
📜 Full Text of Istikhara Dua: Arabic, Hindi, Roman Urdu & English
Here is the complete traditional Istikhara Dua alongside Hindi translation and Roman Urdu transliteration:
| Format | Text |
|---|---|
| Arabic | اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ.\nاللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (मनसूबा यहाँ बोलें) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ.\nوَإِنْ كُنتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ |
| Hindi Translation | हे अल्लाह! मैं तेरे ज्ञान से राहनुमा माँगता हूँ, तेरी क़ुदरत से ताकत माँगता हूँ, और तेरे अज़ीम फज़्ल से भी मांगता हूँ। क्योंकि तू काबिल है और मैं काबिल नहीं, तू जानता है और मैं नहीं जानता, और तू ही ग़ैबों का जाने वाला है।\nहे अल्लाह! अगर तू जानता है कि यह (निर्णय यहां बोलें) मेरे लिए मेरे धर्म में, मेरी रोज़ी में और मेरे अमल के अंत में भलाई है, तो इसे मेरे लिए तय कर दे, इसे मेरे लिए आसान कर दे, और इसमें मेरी नसीब में बरकत डाल दे।\nऔर अगर तू जानता है कि यह मेरे लिए मेरे धर्म में, मेरी रोज़ी में और मेरे अमल के अंत में बुरा है, तो इसे मुझसे दूर कर दे, और मुझे उससे दूर कर, और जो भलाई है, उसे कहीं भी हो मेरे लिए तय कर दे, फिर मुझे उससे रूहाला कर दे। |
| Roman Urdu | Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadhlikal-‘azheem, fa-innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa laa a‘lamu, wa anta ‘allaamul-ghuyoob.Allahumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna haadha al-amra (mention decision) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma‘aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li feehi.Wa in kunta ta‘lamu anna haadha al-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma‘aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri, fasrifhu anni was-rifni ‘anhu, wa aqdur li al-khayra haythu kaana, thumma ardhini bihi. |
| English Translation | “O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You of Your immense favor. You are capable and I am not; You know and I do not; You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of 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, livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me, turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.” |
🕋 When & How to Recite Istikhara Dua
Step-by-Step Guidance
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Make Wudu (Ablution): Ensure purity before performing any prayer.
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Offer 2 Rak‘ahs of Nafl: Begin with the intention (niyyah) for Istikhara. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and any short surah in each rak‘ah.
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Recite the Istikhara Dua: Upon completing prayer (after tasleem), recite the Istikhara Dua in Arabic as shown above.
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Mention Your Concern: Clearly state or think about the decision you’re seeking guidance on.
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Sleep or Continue with Tawakkul: Rely on Allah’s judgment. A dream is not necessary; instead, look for signs in your inclinations and ease or difficulties that follow.
✨ Benefits & Islamic Teaching Insights
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Declaration of Trust (Tawakkul): Istikhara reflects true reliance on Allah and discards dependence on worldly cues alone.
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Heeding Divine Wisdom: Even the Prophet ﷺ taught Istikhara for all important decisions, ensuring believers always seek God’s counsel.
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Smooth & Blessed Outcomes: If it’s good for you, Allah makes it easy; if not, He steers you away. The result brings contentment and aligns fate with His wisdom.
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Emotional Peace: You won’t regret the decision; instead, you’ll be reassured by Allah’s hand guiding the outcome.
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Spiritual Discipline: Regular Istikhara strengthens the bond with Allah and builds a habit of turning to Him in every matter.
🧠 Tips for Memorization & Consistent Practice
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Break into Parts: Learn the Istikhara Dua in segments—first the opening praise, then the conditional clauses.
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Use Transliteration: Keep the Roman Urdu version at hand to help pronounce Arabic correctly.
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Listen & Repeat: Audio recitations or apps can guide correct pronunciation.
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Practice with Intention: Make it a habit in all decisions—big or small.
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Journal Your Experience: Note your feelings before and after; this reinforces spiritual signs and clarity.
📝 Summary
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What: A dua taught by Prophet ﷺ after two voluntary rak‘ahs requesting Allah’s guidance.
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Why: It acknowledges your limitations and invites divine wisdom into your decisions.
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When: Before making any non-obligatory choice—job change, marriage, travel, etc.
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How: Perform wudu → 2 rak‘ahs → recite the Istikhara Dua with your concern in mind → use reflection and trust over time.
🙏 Final Thoughts
Istikhara Dua is more than a ritual—it’s a spiritual compass that helps you make decisions guided by Allah’s knowledge and mercy. Whether faced with life-changing decisions or daily choices, this Istikhara Dua fosters peace, patience, and clarity. As you memorize and apply it consistently, rest in knowing Allah’s wisdom grasps your affairs, and you’re never alone in seeking the best path.
Would you like printable resources, audio files, or reminder tools to help memorize and integrate Istikhara into your routine?
✨Check out our post on Nazar Ki Dua 🌟 – Protect yourself & loved ones from the evil eye! 🙏🧿✨