Dua e Istikhara London e for UK Muslims

Dua e Istikhara London – Word Guide for UK Muslims (2025)

Living in London or anywhere in the UK, we often face big life decisions:

• Should I accept this job offer in Canary Wharf?
• Is this person the right one to marry?
• Should I move from East London to Manchester?
• Is buying this flat in Zone 2 a good idea?

When confusion strikes, Allah (SWT) gave us the beautiful gift of Salat al-Istikhara and Dua-e-Istikhara. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When anyone of you is concerned about a decision, let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say (the dua of Istikhara).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6382)

This comprehensive guide covers everything London-based Muslims need in 2025: the full Arabic text, transliteration, English translation, step-by-step method, best times in London, signs of an answer, and the most frequently asked questions.

What Exactly is Istikhara?

Istikhara literally means “seeking goodness from Allah”. It is not a magical fortune-telling prayer; it is a supplication asking Allah to choose what is best for you in this world and the Hereafter, and to turn away what is harmful even if you currently desire it.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that after performing Istikhara, you should go ahead with what your heart inclines towards after the prayer, because Allah will place ease (sukoon) in the correct path.

Full Text of Dua-e-Istikhara (Arabic, Transliteration & English)

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ 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 فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Transliteration (easy to read in the UK):

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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bihi.

English Translation (Meaning):

“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain 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 ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”

(When you say “hadhal-amra” – this matter – you think firmly in your heart about the thing you are deciding on.)

Step-by-Step: How to Perform Salat al-Istikhara in London

1. Perform Wudu properly.
2. Pray 2 rak’ahs of nafl (voluntary) prayer.
   
   • In the first rak’ah after Surah Al-Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Kafirun.
   • In the second rak’ah after Al-Fatiha, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas. (This is recommended but not compulsory.)
3. After salam, raise your hands and recite the Dua-e-Istikhara with full concentration.
4. Mention your need clearly in your heart when you reach “hadhal-amra”.
5. Send salutations on the Prophet ﷺ (Durud Ibrahim) before and after the dua (recommended).
6. Go to sleep in a state of wudu if you want an answer in a dream (not compulsory).
7. Repeat for up to 7 nights if you still feel unclear.

Best Times to Pray Istikhara in London (2025)

• After Isha or before sleeping (most common in the UK because you may see a dream).
• After Tahajjud – very powerful.
• Any time except the three prohibited times (sunrise, zenith, sunset).

London prayer times change daily. Use apps like Muslim Pro, Athan or the East London Mosque website to check exact Isha and Tahajjud times.

How Do You Know the Answer?

The answer comes in different ways:

• A feeling of inclination (sukoon) towards one option.
• Circumstances becoming easy for the good path and difficult for the harmful one.
• Sometimes a clear dream (white/green = positive, black/red/fire = negative).
• Advice from pious people after Istikhara.

Important: Istikhara is NOT about seeing a dream only. The Prophet ﷺ said the sign is ease and inclination in the heart.

 Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Istikhara in London

1. Can I pray Istikhara during menstruation? No salah, but you can make the dua only (without 2 rak’ahs).
2. Do I have to pray it 7 times? Once is sufficient, but many scholars recommend up to 7 times if still confused.
3. Can someone else perform Istikhara for me (e.g., imam or parent)? Yes, and it is valid, but it is best if you do it yourself.
4. Can I do Istikhara for someone else’s matter (e.g., my child’s marriage)? Yes. Just change the wording slightly: “…if this matter is good for [name]…”
5. Do I need to sleep immediately after Istikhara? Recommended, but not compulsory.
6. What if I see a dream but still feel confused? Repeat Istikhara and consult knowledgeable people.
7. Is it okay to do Istikhara after Fajr in London? Yes, as long as it’s not exactly at sunrise.
8. Can I read the dua from my phone? Yes, especially when learning.
9. Do I have to decide immediately after 7 days? No. You can keep repeating until you feel clarity.
10. What if both options feel good after Istikhara? Choose whichever is better for your deen and akhira.
11. Can I perform Istikhara for small matters? Yes, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged it for all matters.
12. Is it permissible to do Istikhara in English only? Better in Arabic, but if you don’t know Arabic, Allah accepts dua in any language.
13. What if I forget to mention the specific matter in my heart? Repeat it properly.
14. Can I do Istikhara while travelling on the Tube? You can make the dua sitting, but the 2 rak’ahs need a clean place.
15. Is there a special Istikhara for marriage in London? Same dua, just focus on the person’s name and think “marriage with [name]”.
16. Do I need to give charity after Istikhara? Not compulsory, but highly recommended.
17. What if the thing I wanted gets blocked after Istikhara? Thank Allah – He protected you from harm.
18. Can non-Muslims benefit from Istikhara? The salah and dua are acts of worship specific to Muslims.
19. Is there an app for Istikhara in London? Yes – “Istikhara Prayer” and “Muslim Pro” have the full text and audio.
20. I did Istikhara but went against the signs and regretted it. What now? Make tawbah, learn the lesson, and trust Allah’s plan was always best.

Final Words for London Muslims

In a fast-moving city like London, where decisions about jobs, homes, education and marriage come thick and fast, never underestimate the power of two rak’ahs and this beautiful dua. Istikhara is your direct phone line to Allah’s infinite wisdom.

May Allah grant all of us in London and beyond the best in this world and the next, make the truth clear to us, and turn away from us anything that will harm our deen and dunya.

Ameen.