In Islam, there is an importance to this supplication. When a person wants to start something new in his life but is confused about the decision. Dua e Istikhara is the only way to seek guidance from ALLAH Almighty for better decision.
Istikhara means to seek guidance from ALLAH and every Muslim believes that performing Salat Al Istikhara is the right way before starting any task.
The last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) used to teach this prayer to his companions when they were facing a problem with making a decision. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that if anyone of you is confused about a matter, then he should need to offer two Rakat of Salah and after that recite this supplication.
Arabic Text:
Dua e Istikhara English Translation:
O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and I appeal You for Your great blessing. Definitely, You are Capable and I am not. You know everything and I do not know, and You have the Knowledge of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [then mention the thing to be decided] 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 bless it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You know 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 wherever 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 believers will feel confident about his decisions. Allah said in the Qur’an: “And consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.”
English Transliteration:
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa ‘astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa ‘as’aluka min fadhtikal-‘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
Urdu Translation:
How to Perform Dua e Istikhara:
Everyone can perform this Dua easily because the process is the same as the other prayers. You should need to make an ablution and then offer two Rakat of Salah. After the completion of prayer recite this beautiful Dua Istikhara. Mostly the people perform this prayer at night time.
Dua e Istikhara for Marriage:
You can perform this Dua for any decision either big or small in your life. However, it is often recited when making a very important decision. If you want to get married but you are not sure about making a decision then Dua e Istikhara can help to take the right way.