The dua of istikhara is one of the essential general duas a Muslim turns to when torn between two options or facing an important decision. It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to teach his companions this supplication for every matter, just as he taught them a surah of the Quran.
Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka biqudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob, allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li feeh, wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anh, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
📖 Virtue (Arabic source text)
دعاء الاستخارة، كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يعلِّم أصحابه الاستخارة في الأمور كلها كما يعلمهم السورة من القرآن، يركع ركعتين من غير الفريضة ثم يدعو بهذا الدعاء.
رواه البخاري
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Meaning
O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor, for You are able while I am not, and You know while I do not, 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 bless it for me; and if You know that this matter is bad for me, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
When to recite
It is recommended to pray two non-obligatory rak'ahs, then recite the istikhara dua whenever facing a decision, naming the specific matter at the point marked for it.
About this dhikr
This dhikr is part of General Duas as documented in Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim), and is recited 1 time.
How many times should this dhikr be recited?
This dhikr is recited 1 time, as narrated in Hisnul Muslim. Use the smart counter on this page to track your repetitions.
What is the istikhara dua and how is it prayed?
The istikhara dua is recited after praying two non-obligatory rak'ahs, during which a Muslim names the matter they are seeking guidance about, asking Allah to decree what is good for them and turn away what is harmful.
When is istikhara recommended?
It is recommended when torn between two options or facing an important decision, and the Prophet ﷺ used to teach it to his companions for every matter.
Who narrated the istikhara dua?
It was narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, and is a well-established prophetic dua known as the istikhara dua.