Seeking Guidance from Allah through Istikhara
In Islam, dua holds a significant place as it is a means of communication between a person and Allah. Dua for Istikhara is particularly important as it is a prayer for seeking Allah’s guidance in making decisions. This article will discuss the importance of dua, the significance of Istikhara, and provide the dua in Arabic, transliteration, and translation. Additionally, it will touch upon the concept of giving charity with a sincere intention to help fulfill one’s dua.
Dua, or supplication, is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic faith. It is a means by which a believer expresses their gratitude, seeks help, and asks for guidance from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of dua and encouraged his followers to regularly engage in it. In a hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Dua is [the] essence of worship” (Tirmidhi).
Through dua, Muslims can seek Allah’s help and mercy in times of need. It is a way to establish a personal connection with the Creator and seek His assistance in all matters, whether big or small. Therefore, the act of making dua is an essential part of a Muslim’s daily life and is considered a powerful tool for seeking Allah’s intervention and guidance.
The Significance of Istikhara
Istikhara, which means seeking goodness from Allah, is a specific dua that is performed when a person needs guidance in making an important decision. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught his companions the Istikhara prayer and encouraged them to seek Allah’s counsel before making any major choices. This act reflects a believer’s reliance on Allah’s wisdom and certainty that He knows what is best for them.
The dua for Istikhara is as follows:
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمَكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ
وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ
وَتَعْلَمُ، وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ
تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ- خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ
أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي
فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي
وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي
وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي
بِهِ
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
Translation:
“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 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 ordain 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.”
Dua for Istikhara is an important practice in Islam for seeking Allah’s guidance in making decisions. The dua itself is a powerful tool for seeking divine help, and when performed with sincerity, it can lead to beneficial outcomes. Additionally, engaging in acts of charity with a genuine intention can further enhance a believer’s connection with Allah and increase the likelihood of their supplications being answered.
By following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and seeking guidance from Allah through dua and sincere acts of worship, a Muslim can find comfort and assurance in making important decisions in their life.