Istikhara dua is the prayer the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught for asking Allah to choose what is best when you face a decision. You pray two voluntary rak’ahs, then recite the istikhara dua and name your matter, such as a marriage proposal, a job or a move. It is authentic and recorded in Sahih al Bukhari 1166, where Jabir ibn Abdullah said the Prophet ﷺ taught it to them “just as he taught us a surah of the Quran.”
On this page you will find the full dua in Arabic with English, Urdu and transliteration, a free printable PDF, a shareable dua image, and a clear step by step guide to Salatul Istikhara. We also explain what really happens after istikhara, because that is where most people get confused.
دُعَاءُ الِاسْتِخَارَة
Istikhara Dua · Sahih al Bukhari 1166 · 2 rak’ahs + dua
Istikhara at a glance
- The istikhara dua is authentic: Sahih al Bukhari 1166, 6382 and 7390.
- Pray two voluntary rak’ahs, then recite the dua and name your decision.
- You do not need a dream. Guidance usually shows as ease, peace or open doors.
- You can repeat it over several days and you should also take advice from wise people.
- During periods, a woman can recite the dua without the prayer.
- Make istikhara only for permissible choices, never for something haram.
Istikhara Dua in Arabic, English and Urdu
Use the buttons to show or hide the transliteration, English and Urdu. When you reach the highlighted words هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (“this matter”), mention your decision, for example “this rishta” or “this job offer.”
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
TransliterationAllahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal ‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu, wa anta ‘allamul ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal amra (name your matter) 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 hadhal amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bihi.
English meaningO Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. 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 (name it) 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 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. Decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
اردو ترجمہ · Urdu meaningاے اللہ! میں تیرے علم کے ذریعے تجھ سے بھلائی طلب کرتا ہوں، اور تیری قدرت کے ذریعے تجھ سے طاقت مانگتا ہوں، اور تجھ سے تیرے بڑے فضل کا سوال کرتا ہوں، کیونکہ تو قدرت رکھتا ہے اور میں قدرت نہیں رکھتا، تو جانتا ہے اور میں نہیں جانتا، اور تو غیب کی باتوں کو خوب جاننے والا ہے۔ اے اللہ! اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ کام (اپنے کام کا نام لیں) میرے دین، میری زندگی اور میرے انجام کار کے لحاظ سے میرے لیے بہتر ہے تو اسے میرے لیے مقدر فرما، اسے میرے لیے آسان کر دے، پھر اس میں میرے لیے برکت عطا فرما۔ اور اگر تو جانتا ہے کہ یہ کام میرے دین، میری زندگی اور میرے انجام کار کے لحاظ سے میرے لیے برا ہے تو اسے مجھ سے پھیر دے اور مجھے اس سے پھیر دے، اور میرے لیے بھلائی مقدر فرما جہاں کہیں بھی ہو، پھر مجھے اس سے راضی کر دے۔
Transliteration is a helpful bridge, but it cannot capture every Arabic sound. A few Tajweed rules with simple examples will make your recitation of the istikhara dua far more accurate.
Istikhara Dua Image (Free to Save and Share)
Save this istikhara dua image on your phone so you can read it after your two rak’ahs, even without internet. Families often share it on WhatsApp when someone is deciding about a rishta.
Istikhara Dua PDF Download
Prefer a printed copy? This free istikhara dua PDF has the Arabic text in large print, the transliteration, English and Urdu meaning, and the step by step method of Salatul Istikhara. Print it and keep it on your prayer mat.
Word by Word Meaning of the Istikhara Dua
Knowing what each key phrase means helps your heart stay present while you recite.
| Arabic phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ | I ask You to choose for me through Your knowledge |
| وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ | I ask You for ability through Your power |
| مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ | From Your immense bounty |
| عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ | The Knower of all that is hidden |
| فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي | In my religion, my livelihood and the end of my affair |
| فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ | Turn it away from me and turn me away from it |
| ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ | Then make me content with it |
How to Pray Salatul Istikhara Step by Step
Salatul Istikhara takes about five minutes. Follow these steps calmly, with your full attention on Allah.
- Make wudu. Perform ablution exactly as you would for any prayer.
- Set your intention. Intend in your heart to pray two rak’ahs of istikhara for your specific decision. You do not need to say it aloud.
- Pray two rak’ahs. Recite Surah Al Fatihah and any surah in each rak’ah. Many scholars suggest Surah Al Kafirun in the first and Surah Al Ikhlas in the second.
- Finish with salam. Complete the tashahhud and end the prayer as normal.
- Praise Allah and send salawat. Raise your hands, praise Allah and send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
- Recite the istikhara dua. Read it slowly, from memory, from the PDF or from your phone.
- Name your decision. At “this matter”, mention your choice clearly in your heart or aloud.
- Trust Allah and take the next step. Carry on with sensible effort and watch how things unfold.
Best time to pray istikhara
You can pray istikhara at any time except when voluntary prayer is disliked. Many people choose the last third of the night during Tahajjud, but after Isha or during the day is equally valid.
| Time | Can you pray istikhara? |
|---|---|
| Last third of the night (Tahajjud) | Yes, and highly recommended |
| After Isha, or during the day | Yes |
| From Fajr until the sun has fully risen | No, avoid this time |
| When the sun is at its highest point | No, avoid this time |
| From Asr until sunset | No, avoid this time |
What Happens After Istikhara?
This is where most people feel lost. Many expect a dream, a voice or a dramatic sign, and then panic when nothing happens. The hadith of istikhara does not mention dreams at all. Guidance usually shows up in ordinary life.
| What you notice | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Things move forward smoothly | A good sign. Continue with trust in Allah. |
| Obstacles keep blocking the plan | Allah may be turning it away from you. |
| Your heart feels settled about one option | Your heart is inclining. You can move forward. |
| No clear feeling either way | Keep taking sensible steps, repeat istikhara and ask trusted people. |
Do you need to see a dream?
No. Some people see a good dream and find it comforting, but you should never wait for one before acting. Treat events and the ease or difficulty of the path as your answer.
How many times can you repeat istikhara?
You can repeat istikhara over several days if you still feel unsure. Some scholars mention up to seven times, but the narration for that number is weak, so sincerity matters more than any count.
Combine istikhara with good advice
The Quran praises believers “whose affairs are decided by consultation” (Surah Ash Shura 42:38). Talk to your parents, an imam or a wise friend. Istikhara and advice work best together.
Istikhara for Marriage
Marriage is the most common reason people search for the istikhara dua. The method is exactly the same; you simply name the proposal or person at “this matter.” Here is the practical process many families follow:
- Ask about character and deen. Speak to people who know the person and their family well.
- Meet in a halal setting. Involve parents or a guardian in the meetings.
- Pray Salatul Istikhara. Recite the dua with the proposal clearly in mind.
- Watch how the process moves. Notice whether talks progress with ease or keep stalling.
- Decide together. Make the final decision with your family’s input and trust Allah.
Istikhara never overrides clear red flags. If you discover serious problems with a proposal, you do not need istikhara to say no.
Common Istikhara Mistakes to Avoid
Teach Your Family the Istikhara Dua
The companions learned this dua the way they learned a surah, carefully and by heart. Recite it with your children a few lines a day, and use the PDF above as a memorisation card.
Want to recite duas and the Quran with confidence? Our qualified teachers offer one to one online Quran classes for adults and patient, fun Quran classes for kids, with a free trial.
Final Thoughts
The istikhara dua is one of the most comforting gifts of the Sunnah. It reminds you that you are never alone with a hard decision. Pray your two rak’ahs, recite the dua sincerely, take practical steps and leave the outcome to Allah. As the Quran says, “Perhaps you dislike something while it is good for you” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:216).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the istikhara dua?
The istikhara dua is a supplication the Prophet ﷺ taught for seeking Allah’s guidance in a decision. It is recorded in Sahih al Bukhari 1166. You recite it after two voluntary rak’ahs and mention your decision within it.
How do I know if my istikhara is positive?
A positive result usually shows as ease, peace of heart and smooth progress. If obstacles keep appearing, Allah may be turning the matter away from you. A dream is not required.
Can I read the istikhara dua from my phone?
Yes. Reading it from your phone, the PDF or a printed card is allowed if you have not memorised it. Try to understand the meaning so your heart is present.
Can I do istikhara during my period?
You cannot pray the two rak’ahs during menstruation, but you may recite the istikhara dua on its own. Many scholars allow this because the prayer is not possible at that time.
Can my parents do istikhara for me?
The Sunnah is for the person facing the decision to make istikhara personally. Parents can make general dua for their children. Avoid anyone who offers to perform istikhara for money.
What is the best time for istikhara?
Any time except the disliked prayer times. Many people choose the last third of the night, but praying after Isha is also popular and valid.
How long does it take to get an answer?
There is no fixed time. Sometimes the path becomes clear within days, sometimes over weeks. Keep taking sensible steps and repeat istikhara if you are still unsure.
Sources: Sahih al Bukhari 1166 · Sahih al Bukhari 6382 · Quran 2:216 · Quran 42:38
