# Istikhara: How to Seek Allah's Guidance

- **Web page:** https://duasonline.org/guides/istikhara

Facing a decision and unsure of the best course of action? Istikhara is a way to seek Allah's guidance when you're uncertain about a permissible matter. This guide will help you understand how to perform istikhara using duas and methods taught by the Imams (a). Explore the different ways to seek divine guidance, whether through supplications or using the Qur'an and tasbih.

## 1. Dua Istikhara

أَللّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بعِلْمِكَ فَصَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ واقْضِ لِي بِالخِيَرَة وَأَلهِمْنا مَعْرِفَة الإِختِيار واجْعَلْ ذالِكَ إِلى الرِّضا بِما قَضَيْتَ لِما حَكَمْتَ.

*"O' Allah, I ask from You the best in Your knowledge, so bless Muhammad and his household and decree for me the best! Inspire us with knowledge to choose the best and make that a means to being pleased with what You have decreed for us and submitting to what You have decided!"*

This dua includes istikhara supplications taught by the Imams (a) for seeking the best from Allah. It is found in Mafatih al-Jinan.

Read it: [Dua Istikhara](https://duasonline.org/dua/dua-istikhara.md)

## 2. Sahifa Sajjadiyya 33: His Supplication in Asking for Best

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ

*O Allah! I seek the best from You through Your knowledge.*

This supplication from Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) in al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is for seeking the best, aligning with the concept of istikhara.

Read it: [Sahifa Sajjadiyya 33: His Supplication in Asking for Best](https://duasonline.org/dua/sahifa-sajjadiya-dua-33.md)

## 3. Istikhara via the Holy Qur'an

This method involves performing istikhara by opening the Qur'an when uncertain about a permissible matter.

Read it: [Istikhara via the Holy Qur'an](https://duasonline.org/amal/amaal-istikhara-quran.md)

## 4. Istikhara via the Tasbih (Prayer Beads)

This method uses tasbih for istikhara when the Qur'anic method is not feasible, as recorded in Mafatih al-Jinan.

Read it: [Istikhara via the Tasbih (Prayer Beads)](https://duasonline.org/amal/amaal-istikhara-tasbih.md)

## Questions

**What is duae istikhara?**

Duae istikhara refers to supplications seeking guidance from Allah, as taught by the Imams (a) and recorded in texts like Mafatih al-Jinan.

**How do you perform istikhara with the Qur'an?**

Istikhara with the Qur'an involves a specific protocol of opening the Qur'an to seek guidance when uncertain about a decision.

**What is istikhara via tasbih?**

Istikhara via tasbih uses prayer beads to seek divine guidance when the Qur'anic method is not feasible, as outlined in Mafatih al-Jinan.