How to Perform Istikhara: A Practical Guide
Learn the prayer and dua of Istikhara, how to name your decision and how to combine supplication with thoughtful consultation.
Istikhara & duas
Istikhara Dua: Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Read the Istikhara dua in Arabic with Roman transliteration and English or Urdu meaning, alongside its hadith reference.
Understanding the supplication
The dua asks Allah, whose knowledge and power encompass what we cannot know or do, to guide a particular matter towards goodness. Below is the wording using “the outcome of my affair”; the narration also records an alternative wording about the immediate and later outcome. The English and Urdu passages explain the meaning in our own words.
The Istikhara dua
Part 1
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ.
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lamu, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub.
English meaning
O Allah, through Your knowledge I seek the good choice, through Your power I seek ability, and I ask of Your immense favour. You have power where I do not; You know what I do not know; all unseen things are known to You.
Part 2
اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ.
Transliteration
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.
English meaning
O Allah, if You know this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, appoint it for me, make it easy for me and place blessing in it for me.
Part 3
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.
Transliteration
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.
English meaning
If You know this matter is harmful for my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Appoint goodness for me wherever it may be, then grant me contentment with it.
Where to mention your decision
The expression “hadhal-amra” means “this matter”. The narration directs the person to mention their need. Keep the specific decision in view, such as accepting a particular proposal or job offer. If you are unsure how to express it, ask the practitioner to explain it before beginning.
Reading with understanding
Transliteration is a reading aid; it cannot reproduce every Arabic sound precisely. Read the Arabic at a comfortable pace and ask for pronunciation guidance where needed. The meaning helps you follow the request for goodness, ease, blessing and contentment as you recite. The step-by-step prayer guide explains how this dua fits into Istikhara.
Religious references
Read the relevant narrations through the links below. Bring questions about your own circumstances to your conversation with the practitioner.
Continue reading
Istikhara for Marriage: Considering a Proposal
Prepare for marriage Istikhara by clarifying a proposal, discussing compatibility and bringing focused questions to the practitioner.
What to Expect from an Istikhara Consultation
Prepare a focused Istikhara enquiry, discuss the practitioner’s approach and understand communication, privacy and follow-up.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Talk through what matters to you.
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