The complete dua of Istikhara
Istikhara asks Allah (SWT), who knows what you cannot know, to facilitate a choice if it is good and turn both you and the choice away from each other if it is harmful.
When considering a permissible matter, pray two voluntary rak'ahs and recite this supplication, naming the matter at the indicated point. Istikhara is not a method for choosing between an obligation and a prohibition, and it does not require a dream afterward.
The Arabic and meaning are paired with Sahih al-Bukhari 1166. No special promise or count is added without a cited basis.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlika-l-'azim. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa Anta 'Allamu-l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-l-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fa-qdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-l-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fa-srifhu 'anni wa-srifni 'anhu, wa-qdur liya-l-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
O Allah (SWT), I seek the good through Your knowledge and ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You are able and I am not; You know and I do not; You know the unseen. O Allah (SWT), if You know this matter is good for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it for me. If You know it is harmful for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree the good for me wherever it is, then make me content with it.
Jabir (RA) said the Prophet ﷺ taught istikhara for matters as carefully as he taught a surah of the Qur'an. The prayer asks about the effect of a choice on religion, livelihood, and its eventual outcome rather than only whether it feels attractive now.
After istikhara, continue with reasonable research, consultation, and action. Ease or difficulty may become part of how the matter unfolds, but the cited narration does not make a dream a condition.
What does The complete dua of Istikhara mean?
O Allah (SWT), I seek the good through Your knowledge and ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You are able and I am not; You know and I do not; You know the unseen. O Allah (SWT), if You know this matter is good for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it for me. If You know it is harmful for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree the good for me wherever it is, then make me content with it.
When should I recite The complete dua of Istikhara?
When considering a permissible matter, pray two voluntary rak'ahs and recite this supplication, naming the matter at the indicated point. Istikhara is not a method for choosing between an obligation and a prohibition, and it does not require a dream afterward.
What is the source for The complete dua of Istikhara?
Sahih al-Bukhari 1166.