Guidance Sahih al-Bukhari 1166

Dua al-Istikhara — The Prayer for Guidance

The Prophet taught this dua for seeking Allah's guidance in all important matters. Recite after 2 rakats of non-obligatory prayer whenever facing a decision.

The Istikhara Dua

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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Meaning: O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. You know, I know not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my final outcome, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. If You know it is bad for me, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1166

How to Perform Istikhara

  1. Pray 2 rakats of non-obligatory prayer (with the intention of Istikhara)
  2. After finishing the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua
  3. Mention the specific matter you need guidance about (e.g., "this marriage," "this job," "this business")
  4. Trust Allah's decision and proceed with what feels right

Important Notes

  • Istikhara is for permissible matters only (not for obligatory or forbidden acts)
  • You do not need to see a dream — guidance comes as ease/difficulty or peace in the heart
  • Can be performed multiple times for the same matter
  • The Prophet taught that after Istikhara, one should proceed and not delay