Istikhara Dua Guide
Istikhara is the prayer for seeking guidance from Allah when you need to make a decision. Read the dua below in Arabic, follow along with the transliteration, and understand it through the English translation. Then follow the step by step prayer guide.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
Transliteration: Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa asaluka min fadlikal azeem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa talamu wa la alam, wa anta allamul ghuyoob.
Translation: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, I seek strength through Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. For You have power and I do not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen.
اَللَّهُمَّ 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 talamu anna haadhal amra khayrun lee fee deenee wa maaashee wa aqibati amree, faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feeh.
Translation: 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 me in it.
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: Wa in kunta talamu anna haadhal amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa maaashee wa aqibati amree, fasrifhu annee wasrifnee anhu, waqdur liyal khayra haythu kaana thumma ardinee bih.
Translation: And if You know that this matter is evil 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, decree for me whatever is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
Note: where the dua says "this matter", mention your own matter in your heart at that point.
How to perform the istikhara prayer
Check off each step as you do it. Your progress is saved in your browser.
How to use
- Read the dua of istikhara above. Use the toggle buttons to show or hide the transliteration and translation as you read.
- Follow the six steps of the istikhara prayer, ticking each checkbox as you complete it.
- The progress bar tracks your steps, and your progress is saved in your browser.
- Use the Reset button to clear the checklist and start again.
Related tools
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the dua of istikhara?
It is the supplication read after two rakahs of non-obligatory prayer, asking Allah for guidance in a decision. This guide shows it in Arabic, with transliteration and English translation.
When is the dua of istikhara read?
After praying two rakahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by praise of Allah and blessings on the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Do I need to see a dream after istikhara?
No. Istikhara is not about waiting for a dream. After the dua, proceed with the matter and look for ease or difficulty in it.
Is this istikhara guide free?
Yes, it is free and needs no signup.