Whether it is a rishta, a new job, a business deal, buying a house or moving abroad, every Muslim faces decisions that feel heavy. The Prophet ﷺ taught us a beautiful way to hand such decisions to Allah: Salat al-Istikhara, the prayer of seeking what is good. This guide gives the authentic Istikhara dua in Arabic with transliteration and translation, the simple two-rak‘at method, the Hanafi view, and common myths, especially the idea that you must see a dream.
The source of Istikhara is a sahih hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, so it is a well-established Sunnah that any Muslim can perform by themselves.
The hadith of Istikhara
Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to teach the Companions Istikhara in all matters, just as he taught them a surah of the Quran. He said that when one of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak‘at other than the obligatory prayer and then recite the dua below, mentioning his need.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 (Book of Tahajjud); also Sahih al-Bukhari 6382 (Book of Invocations). Grade: Sahih.
Istikhara dua in 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 لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
When you reach the words “hadhal-amr” (this matter), mention or intend your specific need, for example “this proposal” or “this job in Lahore”.
Transliteration and translation
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lam, 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 fih. 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 bih.
English translation
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For You have power and I have none; You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. 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 decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and then make me pleased with it.”
How to perform Istikhara: step-by-step method
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Make a clear intention about the specific matter, and first make sure it is halal. |
| 2 | Perform wudu properly. |
| 3 | Pray two rak‘at of nafl prayer with the intention of Istikhara, outside the makruh (disliked) times. |
| 4 | In the Hanafi tradition, it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun after Al-Fatiha in the first rak‘ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second (recommended, not required). |
| 5 | After the salam, praise Allah, send Durood on the Prophet ﷺ, and recite the Istikhara dua with focus. |
| 6 | Mention your need at “hadhal-amr”. |
| 7 | Then go ahead with sensible planning, consultation and trust in Allah. |
Durood Shareef before and after the dua is a beautiful adab. You can learn the full text in our Durood Ibrahim article, and revise the prayer method in how to pray namaz step by step.
Hanafi view and adab
- Hanafi scholars consider Salat al-Istikhara a recommended (mustahab) Sunnah prayer.
- It can be prayed at any time except the makruh times (sunrise, zenith and sunset, and after Fajr and Asr prayers for nafl).
- If a person cannot pray (for example a woman during her menses), she may recite the dua alone without the prayer.
- Many scholars recommend repeating Istikhara if the heart is still unsure. Some Hanafi texts mention repeating it up to seven times, based on a narration that hadith scholars have graded weak; repeating is allowed, but the number is not binding.
- Along with Istikhara, the Sunnah is also to do istishara: seek advice from wise, trustworthy people, such as parents, elders and scholars.
Myths about Istikhara
Myth 1: You must see a dream
The hadith does not mention dreams at all. Some people do see a dream, and scholars say it can be a sign, but it is not a condition. The real sign is that Allah makes the matter easy and blessed or turns it away.
Myth 2: Colours in dreams (green = yes, red = no)
There is no authentic basis for these “colour rules”. Do not make big life decisions based on such ideas.
Myth 3: Only a pir or maulvi can do Istikhara for you
The Prophet ﷺ taught Istikhara to every Companion so that each person could do it themselves. You can ask pious people to make dua for you, but performing your own Istikhara is the Sunnah way. Be careful of anyone charging money for “Istikhara services”.
Myth 4: Istikhara is only for big decisions
The hadith says the Prophet ﷺ taught it “in all matters”, so it can be done for any permissible decision.
FAQs
Can I read the Istikhara dua without praying two rak‘at?
The Sunnah is to pray two rak‘at and then make the dua. If prayer is not possible, scholars allow reciting the dua alone.
When is the best time for Istikhara?
Any time outside the makruh times. Many people prefer the night, especially before sleeping or at Tahajjud time.
How will I know the answer of Istikhara?
Look at how matters unfold: ease, peace and progress in the matter, or obstacles and a change of heart. Combine this with good advice and reasoning.
Can I do Istikhara for marriage?
Yes. Rishta decisions are one of the most common reasons people pray Istikhara. Both families can also make dua.
Is the Istikhara dua in Sahih Bukhari?
Yes, it is narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah in Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 and 6382.
May Allah guide all of us to what is best in this world and the Hereafter. Share this Istikhara dua page with your family, and tell us in the comments if you have questions about the method.
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