The istikhara dua is one of the most complete acts of tawakkul (trust in Allah) that a Muslim can perform. Unlike many supplications, it does not ask for a specific outcome — it asks Allah to choose and to make the choice easy. Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to teach the Companions this dua for all their affairs, just as he would teach them a surah of the Quran, saying: "When any one of you intends a matter, let him pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say…" (Bukhari 6382) This guide focuses specifically on the dua itself: its full text, the meaning of each phrase, and how to use it correctly. For the full prayer ritual, see our guide to how to pray Salatul Istikhara.

The Complete Istikhara Dua

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 لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-'ilmika wa-astaqdiruka bi-qudratika wa-as'aluka min fadlikal-'azim. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa-la aqdiru wa-ta'lamu wa-la a'lamu wa-anta 'allamu al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa-ma'ashi wa-'aqibati amri, 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, fasrifhu 'anni wa-srifni 'anhu, wa-qdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bihi.

The complete istikhara dua as taught by the Prophet ﷺ to his Companions. (Bukhari 6382)

Translation

"O Allah, I seek goodness from You through Your knowledge, and I seek ability from You through Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. For You are able and I am not, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of all that is hidden. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in 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. And if You know that this matter is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs — then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree good for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it."

Understanding Each Part of the Dua

  • Astakhiruka bi-'ilmika — "I seek goodness from You through Your knowledge." You are acknowledging that Allah's knowledge is infinite while yours is limited. The choice is being referred upward.
  • Astaqdiruka bi-qudratika — "I seek ability from You through Your power." Not only does Allah know what is best, He has the power to bring it about and make it easy.
  • As'aluka min fadlikal-'azim — "I ask You of Your great bounty." Whatever the outcome, you are asking from Allah's generosity — not just for the matter itself, but for the good that surrounds it.
  • Hadhal-amr — "This matter." At this point in the dua, you think of or name the specific decision you are making. The dua text does not change; you simply hold that matter in your mind.
  • Fi dini wa-ma'ashi wa-'aqibati amri — "In my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs." You are asking Allah to judge the matter across three dimensions: your faith, your daily life, and your long-term future.
  • Ardini bihi — "Make me content with it." The closing phrase is perhaps the most important: you are asking Allah to grant you inner peace with whatever He decrees, not just the result itself.

When and How to Recite the Dua

The established sunnah is to recite the istikhara dua after the salam (the concluding salutation) of two voluntary rak'ahs, while raising your hands in supplication. The dua is not recited during the prayer itself. Many scholars recommend reciting it immediately after the prayer ends, before you are distracted by other thoughts. For a practical step-by-step of the prayer itself, see our guide to Salatul Istikhara.

Common Questions About the Dua

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Do I say 'hadha al-amr' out loud?
The phrase 'hadha al-amr' (this matter) stays in the dua text as-is. At that point, you think of your specific matter in your heart. You do not replace the Arabic words — you simply hold the intention in mind.
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Can I recite the dua in my own language?
The established dua should be recited in Arabic as the Prophet ﷺ taught it. You may add personal supplications in any language before or after, but the core dua is in Arabic.
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Can I recite it multiple times?
Yes. Many scholars permitted repeating the full istikhara — prayer and dua — up to seven times if clarity does not come. Each repetition is a renewed act of turning to Allah.
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What is the adab of making the dua?
Face the qiblah if possible, raise your hands, and recite with full presence of heart. For principles that apply to all supplications, see our guide to the adab of making dua.

The closing words — "make me content with it" — are what distinguish the istikhara dua from ordinary petitions. You are not just asking for the good option; you are asking Allah to grant you acceptance and satisfaction with whatever He wills. This is why scholars consider istikhara one of the highest expressions of tawakkul: not resignation, but active trust in the One who knows what you cannot.

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