Istikhara

Istikhara

Sunnah


See Prayer Information

Intention before the Prayer

After preparing for the prayer, face towards the Qibla and make the intention in your head to perform the prayer. This is not to be anounced but can be a silent understanding in your mind that you are aware what prayer you're going to make.

Takbeer (Starting the prayer)

Raise your hands to ear level, palms facing towards the Qibla.

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (Silently)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٢

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil’aalameen

[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -

ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een

It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦

Ighdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeen

Guide us to the straight path -

صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧

Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

آمِينَ

Aameen

Accept our supplication.

Recite Surah Al-Kaafiroon (Silently) (You can recite from any Surah, but this Surah is recommended)

قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ ١

Qul yaa ayyuhal-kaafiroon

Say: O disbelievers

لَآ أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ ٢

Laa aabudu maa taaboudoon

I do not worship what you worship

وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَـٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ ٣

Wa laa antum aaabidoona maa aabud

Nor do you worship what I worship

وَلَآ أَنَا۠ عَابِدٌۭ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ ٤

Wa laa ana aaabidoom-maa aabattum

Nor do I serve what you serve.

وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَـٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ ٥

Wa laa antum aaabidoom maa aabud

Nor do you serve what I serve.

لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ ٦

Lakum deenukum wa liya deen

You have your religion, and I have my religion

Recite Al-Qasas 68-69 (Optional) x7

وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخْتَارُ ۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ٦٨

Wa Rabbuka yakhuluqu maa yashaaa’u wa yakhtaar; maa kaana lahumul khiyarah; Subhannal laahi wa Ta’aalaa ‘ammmaa yushrikoon

And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him.

وَرَبُّكَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ٦٩

Wa Rabbuka ya’lamu maa tukinnu sudooruhum wa maa yu’linoon

And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare.

Bowing (rukoo')

Bow down

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu akbar!

Allah is the Greatest!

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Stand up straight

Stand up

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَه

SemiaAllaahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد

Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You alone belongs all the praise

First Prostration

Prostrate

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Sit up

Sit up

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Second Prostration

Prostrate

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

2nd rak'a

Stand up

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (Silently)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٢

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil’aalameen

[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -

ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een

It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦

Ighdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeen

Guide us to the straight path -

صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧

Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

آمِينَ

Aameen

Accept our supplication.

Recite Surah Al-Ikhlass (Silently) (You can recite from any Surah, but this Surah is recommended)

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ١

Qul huwallaahu ahad

Say: "He is Allah, the one and unique

ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ٢

Allaahussamad

Allah, Who is in need of none and of whom all are in need

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ٣

Lam yalid walam yoolad

He neither begot any nor was He begotten

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ٤

Walam yakullahu kufuwan ahad

And none is comparable to Him"

Recite Al-Ahzab 36 (Optional) x7

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍۢ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا مُّبِينًۭا ٣٦

Wa maa kaana limu’mininw wa laa mu’minatin izaa qadal laahu wa Rasooluhooo amran ai yakoona lahumul khiyaratu min amrihim; wa mai ya’sil laaha wa Rasoolahoo faqad dalla dalaalam mubeenaa

It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.

Bowing (rukoo')

Bow down

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu akbar!

Allah is the Greatest!

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Stand up straight

Stand up

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَه

SemiaAllaahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد

Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You alone belongs all the praise

First Prostration

Prostrate

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Sit up

Sit up

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Second Prostration

Prostrate

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Sitting up for tashahhud

Sit up

Tashahhud

Lift index finger while saying

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ

Al-tahiyyaatu lillahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat

All greetings, prayers and beautiful expressions are for Allah

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As-salaamu aalaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh

Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings.

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ

As-salaamu alainaa wa alaa ibadillaahis-saliheen.

Peace be upon us and upon all righteous servants of Allah.

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ

Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha il-IAllaah

I bear witness that there is no god except Allah

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan aabduhoo wa rasooluh

And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger

Salawat

Lift index finger while saying

ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

Allaahumma salli aalaa Muhammad, wa aalaa aalee Muhammad

Oh Allah, honor Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

kamaa sallayta aalaa Ibraheem wa aalaa aalee Ibraheem

as you honored Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim

إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

innaka Hameedum-Majeed

Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious

ٱللَّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

Allaahumma baarik aalaa Muhammad, wa aalaa aalee Muhammad

Oh Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

kamaa baarakta aalaa Ibraheem wa aalaa aalee Ibraheem

as you blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim

إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

innaka Hameedum-Majeed

Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious

Salam to the right

Turn your head right

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ

As-salaamu aalaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy

Salam to the left

Turn your head left

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ

As-salaamu aalaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy

Recite the Istikhara Dua (Low Voice)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمَكَ، 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- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي- عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ- فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ

Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi ‘aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri (or: fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni ‘anhu [wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi

O Allaah, 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, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.