Dua-e-Istikhara (Guidance in Decisions)
Seeking Allah’s choice before marriage, jobs and big decisions
Also searched as: istikhara ki dua • dua for decision
Arabic
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 أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratik, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-azeem. 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 fih. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa aqibati amri, fasrifhu anni wasrifni anh, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kan, thumma ardini bih.
Meaning
O Allah, I seek Your choice by Your knowledge, Your power by Your might, and I ask of Your immense bounty — for You decree and I do not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for me in my religion, livelihood and outcome, decree it for me, ease it and bless me in it. If You know it is bad for me in my religion, livelihood and outcome, turn it from me and me from it, decree good for me wherever it is, and make me content with it.
Reference
Sahih al-Bukhari
When to recite
After 2 rakahs, before a decision (name it) • Once
Virtue
Decisions handed to the All-Knowing — then contentment whatever comes.
Sources & review
Sahih al-Bukhari
Prophetic dua • Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah • Grade: Sahih • Learn personal details from a qualified teacher; minor school differences exist.
Educational content — not a fatwa. See methodology and disclaimer.
Reviewed • 2026-01-01Our methodology
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When should I recite Dua-e-Istikhara (Guidance in Decisions)?
After 2 rakahs, before a decision (name it). Recite it once.
What is the virtue of Dua-e-Istikhara (Guidance in Decisions)?
Decisions handed to the All-Knowing — then contentment whatever comes.
Where is Dua-e-Istikhara (Guidance in Decisions) from?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah). Grade: Sahih. As always, learn the wording from a teacher and consult scholars for rulings.
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