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Istikhara Dua: Arabic Text, English Translation & Guide
- Authors
- Name
- Ahmad
- Role
- Senior Marketing Manager, Islamic education • DeenUp
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Why the Istikhara Dua Speaks to Every Decision
Every major choice carries weight — a marriage proposal, a career move, a new city. In those moments of genuine uncertainty, Islam offers something no productivity framework can match: direct access to the One who knows every outcome before it unfolds.
Salat al-istikhara (صلاة الاستخارة) is the prayer of seeking guidance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught it as a tool Muslims carry for life, applicable to any permissible decision where the right path is unclear. Understanding the full dua — its Arabic text, precise English meaning, and spiritual intent — transforms it from a recited formula into a living conversation with Allah.
What Is the Istikhara Dua?
The istikhara dua is a supplication recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (1166), taught by the Prophet ﷺ to be recited after two voluntary rakahs of salah when seeking Allah's guidance on a decision. It acknowledges Allah's complete knowledge over human limitation, names the specific matter at hand, and surrenders the outcome to divine decree — qadar. It is one of the most comprehensive and precise supplications in the entire Sunnah.
The Complete Istikhara Dua in Arabic, Transliteration, and English
Recite this dua after completing the two rakahs and giving the final salam. Where the text says "this matter" (هَذَا الْأَمْرَ — hadha al-amr), pause and name your specific situation in any language.
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
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azeem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamu al-ghuyub.
Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-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 hadha al-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
English Translation:
"O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and I seek Your capability through Your power, and I ask of Your immense bounty. For You are capable and I am not, and You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of all that is hidden.
O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair — then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it.
But if in Your knowledge this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair — then avert it from me and avert me from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, then make me content with it."
— (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166; Sunan Abu Dawud 1538)
The Hadith Behind the Dua
The Companion Jabir ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us a surah from the Quran." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)
This comparison to Quranic teaching is deliberate. The Prophet ﷺ did not frame istikhara as a last resort reserved for once-in-a-lifetime decisions — he positioned it as something memorized and carried, like Al-Fatihah itself, ready for any moment of genuine uncertainty.
Understanding the Meaning Phrase by Phrase
"I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge"
The dua opens with three parallel acknowledgments: You know what I do not (bi-'ilmika), You can do what I cannot (bi-qudratika), and I am asking from Your immense bounty (min fadlika al-'azeem). This is the correct starting point for any decision: an honest recognition of human limitation before the One who has no limitation.
Why Religion Is Mentioned Before Livelihood
The dua asks Allah to evaluate the matter across three dimensions: dini (religion), ma'ashi (livelihood), and 'aqibat al-amr (the outcome of the affair). Religion comes first — not income, not convenience, not social approval. The implicit question is not only "Will this job pay well?" but "Will this path keep me close to Allah?"
The Quran provides the theological anchor: "Perhaps you dislike a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:216). This verse is the foundation on which istikhara rests.
"Then make me content with it"
The dua closes with thumma ardini bih — "then make me content with it." This is the spiritual heart of the supplication. You are not merely asking for the best outcome; you are asking Allah to reshape your own heart so that whatever He decrees, you receive it with peace. That is tawakkul (توكل — reliance on Allah) made complete.
For a deeper understanding of how this quality of surrender connects to daily worship, DeenBack's guide to building daily dhikr habits shows how regular remembrance creates the disposition that makes istikhara meaningful. Demi Manifest's overview of Islamic morning routines similarly demonstrates how beginning each day with intention shapes the heart toward greater trust in Allah.
How to Pray Salat al-Istikhara: Step by Step
Istikhara is not complicated. The full method takes fewer than ten minutes:
- Make a sincere intention (niyyah) to pray two voluntary rakahs for seeking guidance.
- Pray two rakahs as normal voluntary prayer — recite Al-Fatihah and any surah in each rakah.
- After the second rakah, give the salam (the closing greeting "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah").
- Remain seated, raise your hands in supplication, and recite the full dua above.
- Where the Arabic says hadha al-amr ("this matter"), pause and name your situation specifically — in Arabic or any language.
- Then proceed with life. Act on the best path available. Trust that Allah is guiding through what unfolds.
Permitted and Prohibited Times for Istikhara
| Timing | Ruling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Last third of the night | Most recommended | Du'a is especially accepted at this time |
| After any fard prayer | Permissible | Combine with your regular salah rhythm |
| After Isha prayer | Widely practiced | Convenient and followed by sleep |
| Before sleeping | Common practice | Many scholars recommend sleeping after the dua |
| At sunrise (immediately after) | Not permitted | Three prohibited times for voluntary salah |
| At solar zenith | Not permitted | Avoid this brief window at midday |
| Just before sunset | Not permitted | Until the sun fully sets |
Allah commands you to seek knowledge
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:114). DeenUp turns that command into a daily habit — a swipeable feed of bite-sized, scholar-approved Islamic lessons, quick quizzes, and daily streaks.
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Making Istikhara a Living Practice
Many Muslims treat istikhara as reserved for life-altering events. But the Prophet ﷺ taught it "for all matters." A more useful approach:
Start with smaller decisions. The next time you face a genuine choice between two permissible paths — which city to visit, which course of study to pursue — pray istikhara. Building the habit in lower-stakes moments makes it natural when the stakes are high.
Pair istikhara with consultation. Mashwara (consultation with wise, trusted people) and istikhara are not alternatives — they are companions. The Prophet ﷺ regularly consulted his Companions before relying on Allah's guidance. Seek human counsel, then bring the decision to Allah.
Trust the path that opens. Islamic scholars clarify that istikhara's answer is rarely a dramatic dream. More often, it is that one path becomes easier and another encounters obstacles. If you prayed with sincerity, trust that Allah is guiding through circumstances.
Repeat when needed. If no clarity comes after the first istikhara, repeat it up to seven times. Each repetition is an act of tawakkul, not impatience.
For more on the full prayer method, see our guide to how to perform istikhara. For the Arabic text with a dedicated breakdown of each phrase, see the istikhara dua in Arabic. And if you want to understand how istikhara fits within the broader landscape of seeking guidance from Allah, the post on dua for guidance covers relevant context.
The complete hadith text is available on sunnah.com and the Quranic verse that underpins the theology of istikhara appears in Surah Al-Baqarah on quran.com.
Related Duas for Seeking Allah's Help
| Dua | Purpose | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Istikhara dua (full text above) | Seeking guidance on a specific decision | Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 |
| Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel (حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ) | When overwhelmed by a decision | Surah Al-Imran 3:173 |
| Allahumma arini al-haqqa haqqan warzuqni ittiba'ah | When uncertain between right and wrong | Scholarly dua tradition |
| Rabbi inni limaa anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqeer (رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ) | General need and reliance on Allah | Surah Al-Qasas 28:24 |
Our post on salat al-istikhara covers the full prayer method in greater detail, and the dua for istikhara breaks down the meaning of each phrase with scholarly commentary.
Common Questions About the Istikhara Dua
Can I recite the istikhara dua in English if I struggle with Arabic? You can, especially if you are a new Muslim or still learning the Arabic text. However, memorizing the Arabic is strongly recommended — the Prophet ﷺ taught this dua in Arabic, and learning it phrase by phrase, even slowly, is a rewarding act of worship.
Does istikhara mean I wait and do nothing? No. The Prophet ﷺ never taught passivity. After praying istikhara, proceed with the best decision available based on your knowledge, consultation, and circumstances. Allah guides through the unfolding of events, not through inaction.
What if I forget to say the specific matter during the dua? Name your situation as clearly as you can. If you are mid-dua and forget, you may add it afterward. The scholars say sincere intention guides the supplication even when words fall short.
Can I pray istikhara for marriage specifically? Yes. Istikhara is frequently used when considering a marriage proposal. Pray it sincerely, observe how circumstances develop, and consult with trusted family members. Many Muslims find that after istikhara, a path becomes noticeably clearer.
Should I tell anyone I prayed istikhara? There is no requirement to disclose it. In fact, sharing that you are deliberating on a matter you have taken to istikhara can sometimes invite others' opinions prematurely. Proceed quietly, with tawakkul.
Closing: Surrendering a Decision to Allah
There is something genuinely freeing about the istikhara dua. It does not demand that you be certain. It does not ask you to trust your instincts. It asks you to trust Allah — and it gives you the precise words to do so.
Memorize the dua. Begin using it for smaller decisions. Build the habit so that when a life-altering choice arrives, istikhara is already second nature: two rakahs, hands raised, heart open to whatever Allah — who sees the full picture — knows is best.
Allah commands you to seek knowledge
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:114). DeenUp turns that command into a daily habit — a swipeable feed of bite-sized, scholar-approved Islamic lessons, quick quizzes, and daily streaks.
Download DeenUp on the App StoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is the istikhara dua in English?
The istikhara dua translates as: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and Your aid through Your power. If this matter is good for my religion, livelihood, and life outcome, decree it for me and bless me in it. If it is bad, avert it from me. (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)
When should I recite the istikhara dua?
Recite the istikhara dua immediately after praying two rakahs of voluntary salah, before making a significant decision. Common situations include a marriage proposal, a career change, or a major relocation. The prayer is valid at any time except sunrise, solar zenith, and sunset.
How many times should I repeat istikhara?
There is no fixed number required. Scholars recommend repeating salat al-istikhara up to seven times if no clarity emerges after the first. The key is sincere intention and trust in Allah's decree. You should then act on whatever path opens most naturally.
Does istikhara always produce a dream or sign?
Not necessarily. Scholars including Ibn al-Qayyim clarify that istikhara does not always produce a vivid dream or strong emotional feeling. The sign is often that Allah eases one path and closes another through circumstances. Trust that your supplication was answered even without a dream.
Can I perform istikhara for someone else?
Yes, a Muslim may pray istikhara on behalf of another person, asking Allah to guide them. However, most scholars prefer that the person seeking guidance prays istikhara themselves whenever possible, since the decision directly concerns their deen, livelihood, and life outcome.
Is there a best time to pray istikhara?
Istikhara can be performed at any permitted time for voluntary salah. Many scholars particularly recommend the last third of the night when supplications are most readily accepted. Avoid the three prohibited prayer times: immediately after sunrise, at solar zenith, and just before sunset.
What do I say during the istikhara prayer itself?
Pray two voluntary rakahs with the niyyah of istikhara, reciting Al-Fatihah and any surah in each. After giving the final salam, raise your hands and recite the complete istikhara dua. Where the Arabic says this matter, pause and name your specific situation aloud or silently.