Istikhara Dua and Guide

Istikhara is a two-rakah voluntary prayer in which a Muslim asks Allah for guidance before making a decision — marriage, a job offer, travel, a purchase. The Prophet ﷺ taught it to his companions for every matter, large or small.

This page gives the complete Istikhara dua in Arabic with transliteration and English meaning, a step-by-step guide on how to perform it, and an interactive checklist to track each step. Nothing you enter is stored on any server — the checklist stays in your browser.

Important: The answer to Istikhara is facilitation and inclination toward one option — it does not require a dream. If undecided, scholars permit repeating the prayer for several days.

How to Pray Istikhara — Step by Step

Make wudu and face the qibla in a clean place.
Pray two rakah of voluntary (nafl) salah. In the first rakah recite Surah Al-Fatiha then Surah Al-Kafirun; in the second, Al-Fatiha then Surah Al-Ikhlas.
After the salam, recite the Istikhara dua below, mentioning your matter at the marked point.
Go about your decision — the answer is ease and inclination in one direction, not necessarily a dream.
Repeat for up to seven days if you still feel uncertain.

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 لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ.

Transliteration: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra 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.

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 and I have none; You know and I do 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 the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me and bless me in it. And if You know 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, and ordain for me the good wherever it is, and make me content with it.

Istikhara Checklist

Mark your matter and track each step:

What are you seeking guidance about? (optional)

Istikhara is a prayer for guidance, not fortune-telling. Your checklist stays in this browser — nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

Formula

No formula — devotional guide.
Steps: wudu → 2 rakah → dua → act on what becomes easy.

Example

Deciding between two job offers: 1. Pray 2 rakah after Isha. 2. Recite the dua, naming the decision. 3. Sleep without anxiety; next day proceed with whichever option feels facilitated.

How to Use

1. Read the step-by-step guide.
2. Read or memorise the dua (Arabic or transliteration).
3. Perform two rakah and recite the dua.
4. Tick off each step in the checklist as you complete it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Istikhara require a dream?

No. The answer is ease and inclination toward one option, not necessarily a dream.

How many times can I repeat it?

Scholars permit repeating up to seven times if uncertainty remains.

Can someone do Istikhara for me?

It is best done yourself; asking another is a minority view.

Is my checklist data stored?

Only in your own browser (localStorage). Nothing is sent anywhere.

Author: Islamic Editorial Team Reviewed by: Islamic Editorial Team Last updated: 2026-09-16

This page was reviewed for accuracy by the Islamic editorial team. Our editorial process follows our editorial policy to ensure reliable, up-to-date conversion tools and reference content.