Before the prayer: define the choice

Write the decision in one sentence: for example, whether to accept a particular job after understanding its duties and conditions. Gather relevant facts and consult someone trustworthy with useful knowledge. Istikhara does not make a prohibited action permissible, replace checking a contract, or remove another person’s right to decide freely.

The prayer and supplication

  1. Prepare for prayer and choose a time when voluntary prayer is permitted.
  2. Offer two rakahs of voluntary prayer, distinct from an obligatory prayer.
  3. Recite the transmitted supplication, bringing the actual matter to mind where the wording refers to this matter.
  4. Continue with sound consultation and reasonable practical steps, entrusting the outcome to Allah.

The hadith gives the prayer and supplication without requiring an invented special surah combination or a colour test. If you cannot perform the prayer itself, the linked scholarly answer discusses making the supplication alone.

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

Opening reading aid: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim…

This is an opening aid, not the complete transliteration. Read the complete Arabic above and use the linked narration or a teacher for the remaining pronunciation. The wording shown uses the narration’s “outcome of my affair” expression; transmitted variants also appear in the reference.

Meaning in clear English

O Allah, I seek Your choice through Your knowledge, seek ability through Your power, and ask from Your immense bounty. You have power and I do not; You know and I do not; You know what is unseen. If this matter is good for my religion, livelihood and final outcome, decree it for me, make it easy and bless it. If it is harmful in those respects, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree good for me wherever it is, and make me content with it.

This is an explanatory rendering for understanding, not a replacement for studying the Arabic wording.

Afterwards: act responsibly

Do not wait indefinitely for a dream or treat every difficulty as a coded message. Assess new facts, consult responsibly and take a reasonable lawful step. Avoid anyone selling a guaranteed prediction or claiming that a colour seen in sleep proves your future.

For marriage, keep consent, character, compatibility and honest inquiry central. For work or study, examine the real requirements and commitments. The prayer asks for good in religion and life, not merely the result you already prefer.

Common questions

Must I dream after Istikhara?

No. The cited scholarly guidance explicitly says a dream or even a special feeling is not necessary.

Is Istikhara only for marriage?

No. The narration concerns matters a person is considering; permissible decisions in work, study and other areas can also be relevant.

Should consultation stop after the prayer?

No. Seeking sound advice and taking sensible means remain part of responsible decision-making.

Your learning checklist

Ticks last while this page stays open. Answers are not submitted or saved.

0 / 4

Sources and further reading

References checked 28 October 2026. Linked scholarly answers belong to their publishers; linking them does not imply independent scholar review of this QuranCrest article.