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500 children in Gaza, Sudan & 13 more countries are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of sadaqah jariyah today.
Sponsor a child500 children are waiting for a guardian — earn 12 months of Sadaqah Jariyah today.
Sponsor a child
1st August 2026
Istikhara is the Islamic prayer Muslims perform when seeking Allah's guidance on a decision, whether big or small. Many of us reach moments where a choice feels too big to make alone — a marriage proposal, a job offer, a move abroad — and no amount of weighing pros and cons brings certainty. Istikhara offers a way through that uncertainty: rather than relying solely on our own limited knowledge, we hand the outcome over to Allah, trusting that He knows what is truly best for us in this life and the next. Rooted in the Sunnah, it involves two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer followed by a specific dua, asking Allah to make the right path easy and the wrong path difficult. This guide walks you through exactly what Istikhara is and how to pray it step by step, so you can approach your decision with clarity and peace of mind.
Below, you'll find the full method for praying Istikhara, the dua in Arabic with transliteration and translation, and answers to common questions about how to interpret the outcome.
When you’re faced with a decision and don’t know which direction to take, Istikhara is a way for us to ask for guidance from Allah, The All-Knowing. Istikhara provides real-life help in decision-making, and it is also a comfort for the heart. We know Allah will take care of our outcome, even if we can’t see the way forward in the moment.
When we pray Istikhara, we submit to Allah’s knowledge and wisdom. It is a Sunnah that the Messenger ﷺ encouraged the Sahaba to practise for all matters, while also seeking advice from elders and knowledgeable people.
1. Set a sincere intention
Ask Allah to guide you to the best outcome and make a conscious effort to avoid sins, which could compromise your dua. Never do istikhara (or any dua) for something harmful or haram.
2. Pray two rak‘ahs
Follow the sunnah by making wudu and performing two rakahs of salah before making the istikhara dua.
However, if you are unable to pray or make wudu — such as during menstruation — you can still make the Istikhara dua without salah.
3. Recite the Istikhara dua, in Arabic if you can.
After your prayer, recite the dua of Istikhara, asking Allah to choose what is best for you, make it easy if it is good for you, and turn it away if it is not.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
The Istikhara dua in Arabic
Transliteration of istikhara dua:
Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qadratika wa as’aluka min fadlika al-’adheem fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta’lamu wa la a’lamu wa anta ‘allaam ul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna haadha al-amra [mention the thing to be decided here] khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati amree faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi wa in kunta ta’lamu anna haadha al-amara sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati amree fasrifhu ‘annee wasrifnee ‘anhu waqdur lee al-khayra haythu kaana thumma ardinee bih
Translation of istikhara dua:
O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, and I do not. You know, and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter 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, my worldly affairs, and in the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it. [Sahih al-Bukhari #6382]
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There’s no simple answer - continue praying Istikhara and being open to all outcomes until a clear path emerges or until you feel at peace with a choice you made.
Many people misinterpret Istikhara, thinking that it will be followed by signs or dreams, but in reality, it’s a prayer for Allah to make the right path easy for you to take, and the wrong path difficult.
Imagine you are deciding whether to marry a person. After consistently making Istikhara, difficulties begin to arise in meeting this person’s family, in marriage agreements, such as dowry, and the path seems to hit obstacles. Or maybe, you pray iIstikhara and things are moving easily with a potential match, and the path to marriage opens up. You may also find yourself naturally becoming more inclined towards a decision.
There is no single way an Istikhara can be answered. The outcome may become clear through your circumstances, your opportunities, your feelings, or the doors Allah opens and closes for you.
Ultimately, Istikhara is about having tawakkul - trusting that Allah knows what is best, even when you cannot see the full picture. When you place your decision in His hands, you can move forward at peace with your decision.
Alongside making dua and seeking guidance, giving sadaqah is another way we seek blessings and protection in our lives, health, success, and important decisions.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity,” (Hadith Al-Tirmidhi)
Giving charity while making an important decision can help to bless and protect your choices. Find out about different ways to give sadqah with Human Appeal today.
