# Dua Istikhara: Arabic, English Translation & How to… | UKPT > The complete Sunnah method of seeking guidance from Allah for any decision — full Arabic text of the istikhara dua, transliteration, English meaning and… *Source: https://prayer-times.co.uk/blog/dua-istikhara · Independent, free UK prayer times.* --- Prayer Guides · 2nd May 2026 · 6 min read ·Kaiser Khan # Dua Istikhara: Arabic, English Translation & How to Pray Salat al-Istikhara Quick Answer Salat al-Istikhara is the prayer the Prophet ﷺ taught his companions to perform whenever they faced an important decision — a job, a marriage proposal, a move, a business deal. He ﷺ taught it 'just as he taught us a chapter of the Qur'an'. It is two short rak'ahs followed by a beautiful, comprehensive dua asking Allah to choose for you. Last updated 17 July 2026 The complete Sunnah method of seeking guidance from Allah for any decision — full Arabic text of the istikhara dua, transliteration, English meaning and step-by-step instructions from Sahih al-Bukhari. Salat al-Istikhara is the prayer the Prophet ﷺ taught his companions to perform whenever they faced an important decision — a job, a marriage proposal, a move, a business deal. He ﷺ taught it 'just as he taught us a chapter of the Qur'an'. It is two short rak'ahs followed by a beautiful, comprehensive dua asking Allah to choose for you. ## How to pray Salat al-Istikhara — step by step - 1\. Make wudu and pray two rak'ahs of nafl (voluntary) prayer — recite Surah al-Fatihah and any short surah in each rak'ah. - 2\. After the salaam, raise your hands and recite the istikhara dua below. - 3\. When you reach the words 'this matter' (hadhal-amr), mention your specific decision in your heart or quietly. - 4\. Conclude, then proceed with whatever your heart inclines toward — the istikhara is Allah's way of guiding you, not necessarily a dream. ## The dua of Salat al-Istikhara 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 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 fa-qdurhu 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 fa-srifhu 'anni wa-srifni 'anhu, wa-qdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih. O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty — for You are able and I am not, You know and I do not, and 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 affair, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and 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 affair, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be, then make me content with it. (Sahih al-Bukhari 1162 — narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA)) ## What happens after the istikhara? Many people wait for a dream or a clear sign. The Prophet ﷺ did not promise either. Istikhara works through the unfolding of events — doors open easily for what is good for you, and obstacles remove you from what is bad. Trust Allah's choice and proceed with what your heart inclines toward without fear or anxiety. ## Hadith reference The full hadith is in Sahih al-Bukhari (1162), Sunan Abi Dawud (1538), Jami at-Tirmidhi (480) and others, narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA), who said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us istikhara for every matter, just as he taught us a surah of the Qur'an.' Keep this site free No adverts, no tracking. A contribution covers hosting and the daily rebuild — it never buys a listing, a method or a mosque’s place in the directory. 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