Marriage is a significant chapter in our lives, and performing Istikhara is essential before making decisions on any important matter. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct Istikhara before marriage when selecting a bride or groom and addressing various aspects related to the marriage. In this article, we will learn the dua of Istikhara for marriage and how to do Istikhara according to the prophet’s noble Hadith.
Note: The method of performing Istikhara for marriage is the same as that for other matters; there is no distinction between the two.
The companion Jabir bin Abdullah said:
The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur’an. Sahih al-Bukhari 1166
What is the Dua of Istikhara for Marriage?
The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) said:
If anyone of you thinks of doing any job, he should offer a two-rakat-prayer other than the compulsory ones, and say (after the prayer):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، 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 الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي
Istikhara Dua in English Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as aluka min fadlikal ‘azeem, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu, wa anta ‘allamul guyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hazal amra khairun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hazal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur li al khayra haithu kana, thumma ardini.
Translation
O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings.
You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen.
O Allah! If You know that this job (or thing or matter) is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter, then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it.
And if You know that this job (or thing or matter) is harmful to me in my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter, then keep it away from me and let me be away from it.
And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it.
The Prophet (SAW) added that then the person should name (mention) his need. (i.e. During reciting the dua, the person should keep in mind what he is asking Allah’s guidance for, in this case: marriage or bride or groom or whatever he is doing Istikhara for)
Sahih al-Bukhari 1166
How to Determine If It’s Right for You or Not?
So after doing istikhara, how do you understand if this marriage is good for you or not? So there can be one of the following situations:
- Sometimes you may feel a change in your mind and feel certainty or precedence, either affirmative or negative. You are lucky and just follow whatever your mind says.
- Sometimes if you sleep after doing istikhara, you may have dreams. If you had good dreams, it indicates that this marriage may be good for you. If you had Bad dreams it indicates that this marriage may not be good for you. Note: Dreams are not mandatory for istikhara results.
- Sometimes you might not have dreams nor any determination or precedence in mind, and you still have the hesitation. Don’t worry, it’s normal and happens to even the most pious people. If you have this situation, you can now follow this step:
- Seek advice from experienced people. Tell them as many details as you know about the bride or groom and his or her family. And follow their instructions.