Marriage is an extensive choice that affects the rest of your life, so picking the right person is essential for a happy and healthy marriage. Many Muslims use Istikhara, a practice that involves a specific prayer or dua, to get help from God. In this piece, We will discuss what Istikhara means and the dua of Istikhara for marriage. We will also talk about how important it is and how it can help people make intelligent choices when they are looking for a life partner.
Istikhara’s Significance in Marriage
Marriage is a promise to be together for life, so it’s normal to feel nervous and unsure when picking a partner. Muslims can ask God to help them make this vital choice through Istikhara. People can seek clarity in their minds and ask Allah for wisdom by saying the Istikhara dua. This helps them make a better decision. For more information, you can visit Loveduaghar.com.
How to Pray Istikhara Step-by-Step
It’s the same as any other prayer, and you can’t do it without first making Wudu because Tahrah is so essential in Islam. Now let’s go over each step of how to pray Istikhara:
- How to Do Istikhara
Here is the Istikhara dua, along with an English translation and a transliteration.
Istikhara dua in Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ 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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa asaluka min fadlika al-‘azim Fainnaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra (mention the matter here for which you are seeking Allah’s Guidance) Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri Faqdirhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhalamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’
Prayer of Istikhara in English
“O Allah, I come to You because You know everything and I beg You to give me power because You are all-powerful. I ask for Your great favor because You have power and I don’t, and you know everything that is hidden.” Oh, God!
If you know that this matter (then name the matter for which you seek Allah’s guidance) is good for my faith, way of life, and life after death, then make it easy for me. And if you know that this matter is bad for my faith, my way of life, and my life after death, then keep it away from me and take me away from it. Pick what is good for me wherever it is, and make me happy with it.”
When to Pray Istikhara
Now that you know step-by-step how to pray Istikhara, you should find out when is the best time to do it. There is agreement among Islamic experts that people can say the Istikhara prayer at any time of the day or night that is legal and convenient for them. This is because it is a Sunnah prayer. On the other hand, stories from the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say that the last third of the night is the best time to have your prayers answered.
“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest heaven to us when the last third of the night remains,” Abu Huraira (RA) said. “Is there anyone to invoke Me so that I may respond to invocation?” Does anyone need to ask me something so I can give him what he wants? Is there someone who wants my forgiveness so I can forgive them?” This is what Sahih Al-Bukhari says.
On another occasion, Abu Umamah (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked, “When does prayer get the most attention?” “A prayer made in the middle of the last part of the night and after the end of the required prayers,” he (PBUH) responded. The Sunan At-Tirmidhi
Another question many people have is whether to sleep after dosa. And the answer is no, you don’t have to go to sleep immediately after Istikhara. Moreover, you can talk with our Maulana- Rijwan Khan.
Performing the Istikhara Dua for Marriage
The Istikhara dua for marriage is a simple but powerful prayer that anyone can say to ask Allah to help them choose a spouse. When you say this, dua, you should be honest, patient, and have an open heart. Here are the steps you need to take to say dua of Istikhara for marriage:
- Preparation: Begin by purifying oneself with ablution (wudu) and finding a clean, peaceful place to focus without interruptions.
- Recite the Istikhara Prayer: Begin by praising Allah (SWT) and blessing the Prophet Muhammad. Then, the Istikhara prayer, which consists of two units (rak’ahs) of voluntary prayers, is performed. You can recite any surah or verse from the Quran you know during these rak’ahs.
- Recite the Istikhara Dua: After finishing the voluntary prayers, it’s time to say the Istikhara Dua. The dua goes as follows:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika al-’azim fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-l-amra khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, faqdirhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fasrifhu anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana thumma ardini bihi.”
Translation
“O Allah, I ask for Your help in deciding because You know how to do it and are powerful. I also ask You for help because You are generous.” You have power, but I don’t. And You know something I don’t. You know things that aren’t known. Sovereign Allah, if You know this is good for my faith, way of life, and current and future affairs, please make it happen and bless me. And if You know that this matter is bad for my faith, my way of life, and my current and future business, then shield me from it and shield me from it. And make the good happen wherever it is, and make me happy with it.”
- Look for Signs: Pay attention to any feelings or signs that come up in the days after saying the dua. These signs can come up in dreams, gut feelings, or changes in your life. When making this choice, talking to trusted people, like family members or religion experts, can also give you helpful information.
- Making a decision: The Istikhara dua doesn’t promise a particular result, but it does help you understand your options and make an intelligent choice. Before making a final choice, mixing the Istikhara prayer with careful thought, consultation, and reflection is essential.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to marriage, the Istikhara dua is a powerful tool that allows individuals to seek divine guidance and clarity in making crucial decisions. By performing this prayer with sincerity and an open heart, Muslims can confidently approach the process of selecting a life partner, knowing they have sought Allah’s wisdom. However, it is essential to remember that, ultimately, the choice rests in the hands of the individuals involved. Istikhara serves as a means of seeking divine guidance, but it is not a guaranteed answer. May Allah bless every Muslim with wisdom and success in pursuing a lifelong partnership.
