Istikhara Dua: Arabic, English Translation, Transliteration, Meaning & PDF

Istikhara Dua is a powerful supplication taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for seeking Allah's guidance before making an important decision. Whether you are deciding about marriage, a job, business, education, travel, or any other permissible matter, Salat al-Istikhara helps you ask Allah to choose what is best for your religion, your worldly life, and your future.

The Prophet ﷺ personally taught this dua to his companions just as he taught them chapters of the Qur'an, highlighting its great importance in a Muslim's life.

In this guide, you will find the authentic Istikhara Dua in Arabic, English transliteration, English translation, word-by-word meaning, guidance on when to recite it, and answers to the most common questions based on authentic Islamic sources.

Download Authentic Istikhara Dua PDF

What Is Istikhara Dua?

Istikhara (الاستخارة) comes from the Arabic root "Khayr" (خير), meaning goodness or the best choice.

Istikhara means:

"To seek the best decision from Allah."

The Istikhara Dua is a Sunnah supplication recited after praying two rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer when a Muslim is uncertain about a permissible decision.

It is not limited to marriage. You may perform Istikhara before making decisions related to:

• Marriage proposals

• Employment opportunities

• Business investments

• Education

• Travel

• Buying or selling property

• Relocation

• Any important halal decision

Authentic Hadith About Istikhara Dua

Hadith in Arabic

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ...

English Translation

Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA) reported:

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us Istikhara in all matters just as he used to teach us a Surah from the Qur'an."

He then instructed the Companions to pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer before reciting the famous Istikhara supplication.

Reference:

Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1162 (also narrated under the Book of Supplications)

When Should You Recite Istikhara Dua?

Recite the Istikhara Dua:

• After praying two rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer

• Before making an important halal decision

• After completing the prayer (before or after salam is a scholarly difference, but reciting it after completing the prayer is the more widely accepted opinion)

• With sincerity, trust in Allah, and complete reliance upon Him

There is no authentic evidence that Istikhara must only be performed at night. It may be prayed whenever voluntary prayers are permissible.

Authentic Istikhara Dua in 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 ـ أَوْ قَالَ: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ.

وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي، وَمَعَاشِي، وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.

English Transliteration

Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'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 (aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi.

Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bihi.

English Translation

O Allah, I seek the best choice through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. Indeed, You have power while I have none. You know while I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen.

O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it.

But if You know that this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, 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.

Word-by-Word Meaning of Istikhara Dua

Understanding the meaning of Istikhara Dua helps you make the supplication with sincerity, humility, and complete trust in Allah.

Does the Istikhara Dua Change for Different Situations?

No. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught one authentic Istikhara Dua, and it remains the same for every permissible decision.

Whether you are making Istikhara for marriage, a job, business, education, travel, or any other halal matter, you should recite the same supplication. The only thing that changes is your intention.

When you reach the words:

اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر

("O Allah, if You know that this matter...")

have your specific decision in mind.

Istikhara Dua for Marriage

Many Muslims search for a special Istikhara Dua for marriage, but there is no separate authentic dua for this purpose.

If you are considering a marriage proposal, pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer and recite the same Istikhara Dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ while intending the marriage proposal in your heart.

Istikhara Dua for Job

If you are deciding whether to accept or reject a job offer, perform Salat al-Istikhara and recite the same authentic supplication.

There is no separate dua specifically for employment or career opportunities.

Istikhara Dua for Business

Before starting a business, making an investment, or entering a partnership, you may perform Istikhara using the same authentic dua.

Ask Allah to guide you towards what is beneficial and to keep you away from what may harm your religion or worldly affairs.

Istikhara Dua for Career

Whether you are changing careers, applying for a promotion, or choosing between multiple opportunities, the Sunnah remains the same.

Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer and recite the authentic Istikhara Dua exactly as taught by the Prophet ﷺ.

Istikhara Dua for Any Important Decision

You can perform Istikhara before making any important halal decision, including:

• Marriage

• Job or career

• Business

• Education

• Travel

• Buying or selling property

• Relocation

• Financial investments

• Choosing between two permissible options

There is no different Istikhara Dua for each situation. The authentic supplication remains the same.

Is There a Short Istikhara Dua?

Many people search for a short Istikhara Dua, but no authentic Hadith mentions a shortened version as a replacement for the complete supplication.

The Sunnah is to recite the full Istikhara Dua after praying two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer.

If you have difficulty memorizing it, you may read it from a book or a trusted digital source until you learn it.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari

Can You Read Istikhara Dua in English?

The authentic Istikhara Dua was taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Arabic. Therefore, it is best to recite it in its original Arabic wording whenever possible.

If you are still learning Arabic, you may:

• Read the transliteration until you memorize the dua.

• Read the dua from a book or trusted digital source.

• Learn its meaning to improve your concentration during supplication.

Many scholars also state that after completing the prescribed Arabic dua, you may ask Allah in your own language for additional personal requests.

Can You Make Istikhara Without Praying?

The Sunnah method of Istikhara consists of:

• Praying two rak'ahs of voluntary (nafl) prayer

• Reciting the authentic Istikhara Dua afterwards

However, if someone is genuinely unable to pray—for example, due to illness or another valid excuse—they may still ask Allah for guidance through personal supplication.

The complete Sunnah, however, is to combine both the prayer and the dua whenever possible.

Can You Read Istikhara Dua in Ramadan?

Yes.

There is no restriction on performing Istikhara during Ramadan. In fact, Ramadan is one of the best months for increasing worship and making sincere supplications.

You may perform Salat al-Istikhara in Ramadan just as you would during any other month.

Best Time to Read Istikhara Dua

There is no authentic hadith that limits Istikhara to a specific time of the day or night.

You may perform Istikhara whenever voluntary prayers are permissible.

Many Muslims prefer praying after Isha or during the last third of the night because these are blessed times for making dua, but this is a matter of preference rather than a condition of Istikhara.

Conclusion

Istikhara Dua is one of the greatest gifts taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to help Muslims seek Allah's guidance before making important decisions. Whether the matter concerns marriage, employment, business, education, travel, or any other permissible choice, the authentic Istikhara Dua remains the same.

The essence of Istikhara is sincere faith, trust in Allah, and acceptance of His decree. Rather than searching for dreams or symbolic signs, perform the prayer as taught by the Prophet ﷺ, recite the authentic supplication, take the appropriate lawful means, and place your trust in Allah. Whatever Allah chooses for you is ultimately the best for your religion, your worldly life, and your Hereafter.

Just as Islam teaches us to seek Allah's guidance through Istikhara before making important decisions, it also teaches us the proper words to say during times of loss. Knowing what do you say when someone dies in Islam helps Muslims offer comfort while following authentic Islamic teachings. Hajj Umrah Planner is dedicated to providing authentic Islamic guides, duas, and practical resources based on reliable sources, helping Muslims learn and practice their faith with confidence.