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Istikhara Ka Tarika aur Istikhara Ki Dua

استخارہ کا طریقہ اور دعا

2026-10-08 · Hanafi

Istikhara ka tarika is simply asking Allah for what is best: pray two rakats of nafl and then recite the istikhara dua, mentioning your matter. The Prophet ﷺ taught it to his Companions "just as he taught them a surah of the Quran" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166).

Istikhara ka tarika step by step

1. Make wudu.
2. Pray 2 rakats nafl with the niyat of istikhara (any surahs).
3. After salam, praise Allah, send durood, and recite the dua.
4. At "this matter" (hadhal-amr), think of or name your matter (job, marriage, travel...).
5. Act on your decision with trust in Allah. You may repeat istikhara on several days.

Istikhara ki dua

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ؛ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Meaning: "O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power and I have none; You know and I do not; 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 the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it."

Common myths about istikhara

• "You must see a dream." Not required. The hadith says nothing about dreams. Look at how things unfold and how your heart settles.
• "Someone else must do it for you." You can and should pray it yourself. Asking a pious person to make dua for you is fine, but istikhara is your own prayer.
• "Only for big decisions." The Companions were taught it "in all matters".
• "Do it instead of consulting." Do both: consult people of knowledge and experience, then pray istikhara.

Frequently Asked Questions

Istikhara kab karni chahiye?

Before any permissible decision, at any time except the makrooh times (makrooh auqat). Many pray it at night before sleeping.

Kitni baar istikhara karein?

Once is enough; scholars mention repeating it up to seven times if you are still unsure.

Can women pray istikhara during their period?

They cannot pray the 2 rakats, but they can recite the dua.

Conclusion

Istikhara is trust put into practice: you do your part, and leave the outcome to the One who knows. Learn the dua from the Duas section of the app, and use it often.

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari 1166
• The procedure of istikhara (Fatwa Trinidad)
• Istikhara: no dream is necessary (Askimam)