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Learn the authentic Dua Istikhara in Arabic, with transliteration, translation, and step-by-step instructions for performing Salat al-Istikhara
Istikhara Dua is a powerful supplication taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for seeking Allah's guidance when making important life decisions. The word "Istikhara" comes from the Arabic root "khayr" (خير), meaning "goodness" or "what is best." When you perform Salat al-Istikhara and recite this dua, you are essentially asking Allah to guide you toward the choice that will be best for your religion, your worldly life, and your afterlife.
The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasised the importance of this supplication so much that he taught it to his companions just as he would teach them a chapter from the Quran. Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach his companions to make Istikhara in all matters, just as he used to teach them a Surah from the Quran." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This beautiful dua reflects a believer's complete reliance on Allah's infinite wisdom, acknowledging that Allah knows what we do not know, and that His knowledge encompasses all things—past, present, and future.
Here is the complete and authentic text of the 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
For those who cannot read Arabic script, here is the complete transliteration of the Istikhara Dua to help you pronounce it correctly:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allam 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 bihi.
Note: When you reach "hadha al-amra" (this matter), you should think of or silently mention the specific decision you are seeking guidance about.
Understanding the meaning of what you are reciting deepens your connection with Allah. Here is the complete English translation:
"O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and 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 and 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 content with it."
Performing Istikhara is straightforward. Follow these steps to seek Allah's guidance properly:
Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity by performing wudu before you begin the prayer.
You can perform Istikhara at any time except during the forbidden prayer times (at sunrise, when the sun is at its zenith, and at sunset). Many scholars recommend performing it before sleeping, but this is not required.
In your heart, make the intention to perform two rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer for the purpose of seeking Allah's guidance in your specific matter.
Perform two units of voluntary prayer. It is recommended (but not obligatory) to recite Surah Al-Kafirun (109) in the first rak'ah after Al-Fatiha, and Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) in the second rak'ah.
After completing the prayer and saying the salam, remain seated facing the Qiblah and recite the Istikhara dua with sincerity and concentration. When you reach the part mentioning "this matter," think clearly about the decision you need guidance on.
After completing the dua, put your trust in Allah (tawakkul) and proceed with your decision. Do not wait for a dramatic sign—simply move forward with what seems best and trust that Allah is guiding your path.
Istikhara can be performed for any permissible matter where you face uncertainty. Common situations include:
Important: Istikhara is not performed for matters that are clearly obligatory (like praying five times daily) or clearly forbidden (haram). It is for permissible matters where the best choice is unclear.
One of the most common questions about Istikhara is: "How will I know the answer?" Here's what scholars teach:
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to see a dream or experience a vision after Istikhara. While some people may experience meaningful dreams, this is not required or expected.
After Istikhara, Allah's guidance often manifests through:
The key is to proceed with your best judgment after Istikhara, trusting that Allah is guiding you. If something is good for you, Allah will facilitate it; if it's harmful, He will protect you from it.
Yes, you can repeat Istikhara up to seven times if you still feel uncertain. However, most scholars recommend proceeding with your best judgment after one or two times.
While you can ask others to make dua for you, Istikhara is most effective when performed by the person facing the decision. It's a personal conversation with Allah about your own affairs.
While the two rak'ahs are recommended, you can recite the Istikhara dua alone if circumstances prevent you from praying (such as during menstruation for women). However, combining the prayer with the dua is the complete Sunnah.
Trust in Allah's plan. Sometimes what we think is good for us may not be, and what we dislike may contain hidden blessings. Allah's knowledge is perfect, and He knows what we do not.
Istikhara can be performed at any permissible time. However, the last third of the night is considered a blessed time for all supplications. After Fajr prayer and after any obligatory prayer are also recommended times.
Beyond seeking guidance for specific decisions, regularly performing Istikhara brings numerous spiritual benefits:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasised the importance of seeking Allah's guidance in all matters:
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach his companions to make Istikhara in all matters, just as he used to teach them a Surah from the Quran."
— Sahih al-Bukhari
This hadith shows the immense importance the Prophet placed on Istikhara—he taught it with the same care and emphasis as he taught the Quran itself. This demonstrates that seeking Allah's guidance should be a regular practice for every Muslim, not just for major decisions.
As you seek Allah's guidance through Istikhara, remember the children in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and other crisis zones who desperately need help. Your donation to ChildRelief provides food, shelter, education, and hope to children who have lost everything.
