Salat al-Istikhara is a voluntary prayer for seeking Allah’s guidance about a decision. Pray two rak‘ahs outside the obligatory prayers, then recite the Istikhara du‘a, naming the matter you are considering. You ask Allah to bring it about if it is good for you and turn it away if it is harmful. 

Perhaps you are considering marriage, a new job, a move or a course of study. You have thought through the options, but you still cannot see how everything will unfold. Istikhara gives you a way to bring that uncertainty to Allah while continuing to seek advice and make a thoughtful choice.

Below, you will find the prayer steps, the full Istikhara du‘a in Arabic, transliteration and English, and guidance on what to do afterward.

Salat al-Istikhara at a glance

The prayer method comes from Sahih al-Bukhari 1166. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta explains that Istikhara has no fixed set of accompanying signs. 

What is Salat al-Istikhara?

Istikhara means seeking what is good from Allah. In this prayer, you acknowledge that your knowledge is limited and ask Allah to guide a decision according to His knowledge.

Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ taught his companions Istikhara with the care with which he taught them a surah of the Qur’an. He instructed a person considering a matter to pray two voluntary rak‘ahs and make the supplication. 

The du‘a asks whether the matter is good for your religion, livelihood and the outcome of your affairs. That gives you something meaningful to reflect on: a choice can look attractive now while carrying consequences you have not yet considered.

How to pray Salat al-Istikhara step by step

1. Identify the decision

Be clear about the matter you are considering. For example: accepting a particular job, pursuing a marriage proposal or moving to another city.

Gather the information you need and speak to people whose judgment you trust. The Qur’an connects consultation with reliance on Allah: after consultation and a decision, place your trust in Him. 

2. Prepare for salah

Make wudu, observe the usual conditions of prayer and face the qiblah. Make the intention in your heart to offer two voluntary rak‘ahs for Istikhara.

Choose a time when voluntary prayer is permitted. You do not need to wait until bedtime. For questions about restricted prayer times in your circumstances, follow guidance from a qualified scholar in your school of practice. 

3. Pray two voluntary rak‘ahs

Pray two rak‘ahs as you normally would, reciting Al-Fatihah and additional Qur’an in each rak‘ah. Complete the prayer with the tashahhud and salam.

The hadith teaching Istikhara does not specify a particular surah to recite. 

4. Recite the Istikhara du‘a

After the salam, recite the supplication below. This is the method explained by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta. 

When referring to “this matter,” name the decision you are asking about. The narration specifically instructs the person to mention their need. 

5. Continue with thoughtful action

After praying, continue assessing your options and taking reasonable steps. You do not need to put your life on hold while waiting for a dream.

For example, if you are considering a job, review the contract, working conditions and effect on your responsibilities. Your prayer and your practical checks can work together.

The full Istikhara du‘a in Arabic

The following wording uses the version referring to your religion, livelihood and the outcome of your affairs. The narration also records an alternative expression referring to immediate and later affairs; you do not need to recite both alternatives. 

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.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166. 

Istikhara du‘a transliteration

Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lamu, wa anta ‘allamu al-ghuyub.

Allahumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadha al-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 hadha al-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bihi.

Transliteration is an aid to pronunciation. Listening to a reliable Arabic recitation can help you learn sounds that English letters cannot fully represent.

Istikhara du‘a meaning in English

O Allah, I seek what is good through Your knowledge, and I ask You to grant me ability through Your power. I ask You from Your immense bounty. You have power and I do not; You know and I do not; You are the Knower of the unseen.

O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me.

And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree what is good for me wherever it may be, and then make me content with it.

English rendering of the meaning of the Arabic supplication in Sahih al-Bukhari 1166.

What should you do after praying Istikhara?

Take the next responsible step available to you. That may mean asking another question, checking a reference, discussing practical concerns or proceeding with a decision you have carefully considered.

In Qur’an 3:159, consultation is followed by resolve and reliance on Allah. This offers a useful foundation for approaching a decision: seek advice, make your choice and entrust the outcome to Him. [3]

A simple reflection can help you organize your thoughts:

• What do I know? Write down the facts rather than assumptions.
• What still needs checking? Identify unanswered questions or concerns.
• Who can advise me? Choose someone knowledgeable and trustworthy.
• What can I do next? Take a practical step without demanding certainty about the future.

These questions are a practical reflection tool, not a prescribed part of the prayer.

If the uncertainty itself feels overwhelming, you may also find comfort in these duas for difficult times.

Do you need a dream or a sign after Istikhara?

No. You do not need to see a dream for your Istikhara to count. Dar al-Ifta explains that there is no fixed set of signs that must follow the prayer. [2]

Avoid treating a dream, a color or a coincidence as an automatic verdict. A feeling of reassurance can be part of your experience, but it should not replace checking facts or addressing serious concerns.

For example, when considering marriage, continue asking about character, compatibility and expectations. A reassuring feeling should not lead you to dismiss evidence of dishonesty or harmful behavior.

The du‘a itself asks Allah to turn you away from a harmful choice. It leaves room for an outcome different from the one you first hoped for.

Frequently asked questions about Istikhara

Can you pray Istikhara for marriage?

Yes. Marriage is one example of a decision for which you can seek Allah’s guidance. The prayer is also relevant to other matters; the teaching in Sahih al-Bukhari is not limited to marriage. Continue seeking advice and learning about the person and proposal. [1]

What is the best time to pray Istikhara?

There is no single required hour. Choose a time when voluntary prayer is permitted. You do not have to pray immediately before sleeping. If you prefer a quiet time at night, our guide explains how to calculate the last third of the night. 

Can you repeat Istikhara?

Yes. You may repeat it if you remain uncertain. Scholars differ over recommendations about repetition, but you do not have to complete seven prayers for your first Istikhara to be valid. Islamweb explains that repetition is permitted without a compulsory fixed total. 

Can you make the Istikhara du‘a during your period?

Yes. A menstruating woman does not perform the two rak‘ahs, but she can recite the supplication and ask Allah for guidance. This distinction is explained in scholarly guidance citing Imam al-Nawawi and Shaykh Ibn Baz. 

What if you do not feel different afterward?

The absence of a special feeling does not mean you must keep waiting. There is no required emotional response. Review the information, consult someone you trust and decide on your next step. You can repeat the prayer if you still need to seek guidance. 

Bring your decision to Allah

You do not need to know how your whole future will unfold before taking the next step. Istikhara gives you words with which to ask Allah for goodness, protection from harm and contentment with His decree.

Pray the two rak‘ahs, make the du‘a and continue with care. May Allah guide you toward what benefits your faith and your life, and grant you peace with what He chooses for you.

Related reading

• How to pray Tahajjud: intention, rak‘ahs and timing
• Duas for difficult times
• How to calculate the last third of the night
• Explore more Muslim Hands USA articles

---