Istikhara dua
Read the supplication for seeking Allah’s guidance, with Arabic, transliteration and an English meaning. Istikhara accompanies careful enquiry and consultation; this card is not a prediction or a decision about whom to marry.
English source shown while native translations await review.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 · Pending scholar verification
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
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka biʿilmika, wa-astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa-asʾaluka min faḍlika al-ʿaẓīm. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa-lā aqdiru, wa-taʿlamu wa-lā aʿlamu, wa-anta ʿallāmu al-ghuyūb. Allāhumma in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra khayrun lī fī dīnī wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī, faqdurhu lī wa-yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīhi. Wa-in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī, faṣrifhu ʿannī waṣrifnī ʿanhu, waqdur liya al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma arḍinī bihi.
Meaning
O Allah, I seek the good choice from You by Your knowledge, and I seek ability from You by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You have power and I have none; 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 affair, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. 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; ordain good for me wherever it may be, and then make me content with it.
The narration includes alternate wording about immediate and later affairs. Read the linked source for both variants.
How to pray Istikhara
1. Consider the matter
Gather relevant information and seek trustworthy advice. The supplication concerns a matter you are considering, rather than replacing enquiry or consent.
2. Pray two non-obligatory rakahs
The report from Jabir describes two rakahs other than the obligatory prayer. Ask a qualified teacher about the practical details that apply to you.
3. Read the supplication
Read the dua and identify the matter at the relevant point. Keep the Arabic text distinct from the explanation and transliteration.
4. Continue with care
Take responsible steps, consult where necessary and consider what becomes possible. Do not use a claimed dream or sign to pressure another person into marriage.
Sources and review notes
Sahih al-Bukhari 1166Pending scholar verification
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Create a free profileCommon questions
- What is this card for?
- It provides the dua text, a pronunciation aid and an explanation of its meaning. For an extended marriage discussion, use the linked Istikhara guide.
- Does Istikhara promise a dream?
- This card makes no promise of a dream or a colour-coded sign. The cited narration gives a prayer and supplication; personal interpretation needs care and qualified guidance.
- Can I listen to a recording?
- A player appears only when the owner supplies a genuine recording with permission to use it. No synthetic recitation is produced.
- Is the transliteration a substitute for Arabic?
- Transliteration is a reading aid and cannot convey every Arabic sound. A qualified teacher can help with pronunciation.
General guidance, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult a qualified scholar or imam.