The dua e istikhara pdf that most people search for usually leads back to one short, powerful supplication that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) personally taught his companions. This page brings together the exact Arabic wording, transliteration, English translation, and the method behind it, all drawn from Sahih al-Bukhari and the explanations of qualified teachers, so nothing here is guesswork.
The Meaning Behind It
The word istikhara comes from the Arabic root khayr, meaning “good” or “the best.” Classical lexicographers describe it as asking Allah to choose the best outcome on someone’s behalf when a matter is unclear, rather than relying purely on personal judgment. Many istikhara guides available online repeat this definition without much context, but understanding the root meaning explains why the prayer is really a request for guidance, not a request for a dream or a sign.
Arabic Text, Transliteration, and Translation
Below is the authentic dua exactly as recorded by Imam Bukhari, so readers get the correct istikhara dua rather than a paraphrased version circulating on many websites.
Arabic Text
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَْمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَْمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azeem, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu, wa Anta ‘Allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri – ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi – faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri – ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi – fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bihi.
English Translation
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power and I have none. You know and I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it 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 ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6382)
This translation shows the person praying acknowledging Allah’s awareness and Allah’s power over their own limited understanding, before asking for the outcome to be made easy if it is good, or turned away if it is not.
The Source Hadith
This wording comes from a hadith narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6382. Jabir reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach the companions this practice for every matter, small or large, just as he taught them chapters of the Quran. Scholars who study the chain of narration classify this hadith as authentic (sahih), which is why sunnah.com and other hadith databases list it under the Book of Invocations, chapter on the supplication for seeking guidance.
How the Prayer Is Performed, Step by Step
Salat al-Istikhara is two rak’ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer followed by this supplication, and it can be combined with an existing sunnah prayer or offered on its own. Islamic Relief and other prayer-guidance resources outline the steps this way:
- Make wudu as for any prayer.
- Form a sincere intention to pray two rak’ahs specifically for this purpose.
- Pray the two rak’ahs like any voluntary prayer, facing the qibla if possible.
- After finishing, recite the supplication above, mentioning the specific matter silently in place of “this matter.”
- This can be prayed at almost any time of day or night, except during the times when prayer is disliked, such as immediately after Fajr or immediately after Asr.
How Often Should It Be Repeated?
SeekersGuidance, overseen by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, explains that when the outcome still feels unclear, classical Hanafi jurists mention it is recommended to repeat regular istikhara up to seven times, usually on separate occasions, based on Ibn Abidin’s Radd al-Muhtar.
This differs from someone doing their own istikhara only once and expecting an instant, obvious answer; patience is part of the practice. It is also considered disliked to rush the outcome, in the same way the Prophet (peace be upon him) cautioned against supplicating and then giving up because “no answer came” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6340, Sahih Muslim 2735).
Do You Need a Dream Afterward?
One of the most common misunderstandings is expecting a dream. Shaykh Nuh Keller, a respected Hanafi scholar, has explained that a dream or a strong feeling is not required at all; it is simply a prayer asking Allah to direct someone toward what is good (khayr), whether or not that guidance ever takes the form of a dream. SeekersGuidance adds that it is best to set aside one’s own inclination toward a particular outcome and instead wait to see how circumstances unfold, or how one’s own heart settles, after the prayer.
What This Prayer Can Do For You
When someone commits to personal istikhara before a decision, whether it involves marriage, a new job, or moving to a new place, the istikhara impact tends to show up as a change in how the decision itself feels rather than as a dramatic external sign. Teachers who write about this prayer often point to three simple effects: it brings mental clarity, it deepens reliance on Allah (tawakkul), and it settles the heart before the decision is even made.
In everyday terms, istikhara increases clarity about what actually matters, istikhara removes uncertainty by placing the outcome in Allah’s hands, and for many people istikhara brings peace long before the decision is finalized. This is part of why istikhara enhances someone’s overall sense of trust, even when the answer takes time to unfold according to His plan.
A Note on Spelling and Related Terms
This prayer is also written as istikharah, istikhaarah, or istikhaara in different transliterations, and the two-rak’ah prayer itself is sometimes referred to as salaatul istikhaarah in Arabic. Readers searching for a concise dua to memorize, or a detailed dua breakdown to understand line by line, will find both above.
the Arabic and transliteration for memorization, and the translation for meaning. Anyone wanting to double-check pronunciation can also look for dua audio recited by a qualified Quran or hadith teacher, since correct pronunciation of Arabic supplications matters. In Urdu and Persian-speaking communities, it is also common to hear people open a heartfelt request with “Ya Elahi” (O my Lord) before reciting supplications like this one. Some people even type it in reverse order as dua istikhara when searching online.
Download a Printable Copy
For anyone who wants a detailed istikhara guide to keep on hand, the Arabic text, transliteration, and translation above can be saved or printed as a PDF for quick reference before praying, without needing an internet connection each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it meant only for major life decisions?
No. Based on the hadith of Jabir ibn Abdullah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught it for “every matter,” not only major ones like marriage or travel.
What if the answer still isn’t clear?
Scholars recommend repeating the two-rak’ah prayer and supplication on separate occasions, up to seven times, while remaining patient rather than expecting an instant sign.
Do I have to recite it in Arabic?
Reciting the Arabic wording taught in the hadith is preferred, but understanding the English translation helps ensure the meaning and intention behind each line are clear.
This supplication has stayed exactly the same since it was first taught nearly 1,400 years ago, preserved word for word through Sahih al-Bukhari. Whether someone is facing a small everyday choice or a major turning point, the same two rak’ahs and the same handful of sentences remain available, asking Allah for what is good and trusting Him with the outcome.
