The istikhara dua is the supplication a Muslim makes to ask Allah for the best choice in a decision. Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach the companions istikhara in all their matters, just as he taught them a surah of the Quran (Sahih al-Bukhari 1162).
What Is Salat al-Istikhara?
Salat al-Istikhara is a voluntary prayer of two rakah followed by the istikhara dua. The word istikhara comes from the Arabic root khayr, meaning good. In simple terms, you are asking Allah to choose what is good for you, because He knows what you do not.
When to Pray Istikhara
You can pray istikhara for any permissible decision where you are unsure of the right path. Common examples include:
- Choosing a marriage proposal
- Accepting a new job or business deal
- Buying a house or a car
- Planning a move or a long journey
- Choosing a university or course of study
Istikhara is not prayed for things that are already obligatory (such as praying fard salah) or clearly forbidden. You can pray it at any time of day or night, except during the times when voluntary prayer is disliked: after Fajr until sunrise, when the sun is at its peak, and after Asr until sunset. Many people prefer the last third of the night, but it is not a condition.
How to Pray Istikhara Step by Step
- Make wudu and make the intention in your heart to pray istikhara for your specific matter.
- Pray two rakah of voluntary (nafl) prayer. You may recite any surah after Al-Fatiha. Some scholars recommend Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.
- After finishing the prayer with salam, praise Allah and send salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Recite the istikhara dua below.
- When you reach the words “hadhal-amra” (this matter), mention your decision by name, for example “this marriage to [name]” or “this job offer”.
- Put your trust in Allah and move forward with the matter.
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، 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
Istikhara Dua 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, 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 wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bihi.
Istikhara Dua English Translation
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power and I have none, You know and I do not know, and 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 affairs, 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 and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1162
How Do You Know the Answer After Istikhara?
This is the question most people ask, and the answer is simpler than many think. You do not need to wait for a dream or a special sign. After praying istikhara, go ahead with the matter while trusting Allah. If it is good for you, Allah will make the path easy and open the doors. If it is not, you will usually find obstacles, a change of heart, or the matter simply falling apart.
Many scholars also advise combining istikhara with istishara, which means seeking advice from knowledgeable and trustworthy people. If you still feel unsure, you can repeat the istikhara on several days.
Istikhara for Marriage and Love
Marriage is the most common reason people pray istikhara. The method is exactly the same: pray two rakah, recite the dua, and mention the name of the person or the proposal at “hadhal-amra”. Remember these points:
- Istikhara does not replace practical checks. Ask about the person’s deen, character and family.
- Both families can pray istikhara separately.
- If the marriage moves forward smoothly after istikhara, take it as a sign of ease from Allah.
- If it breaks down, accept it with patience. Allah may be protecting you from something you cannot see.
Common Myths About Istikhara
- Myth: You must see a dream. There is no condition in the hadith about dreams. A dream may come, but the answer is shown through how events unfold.
- Myth: You must sleep straight after praying. Nothing in the authentic sunnah requires this.
- Myth: Green or white colours in a dream mean yes. Colour interpretations have no basis in the Quran or authentic hadith.
- Myth: Only an imam or pious person can do it for you. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught every companion to pray it for themselves.
- Myth: Istikhara is only for big decisions. The hadith says “in all matters”, so you can pray it for small choices too.
Can You Pray Istikhara for Someone Else or During Menses?
The majority of scholars say each person should pray istikhara for their own decision, because the dua is written in the first person. Parents can still make general dua for their children’s good.
A woman on her period cannot pray the two rakah, but she can recite the istikhara dua on its own without the prayer, as this is permitted according to many scholars.
Travelling Dua (Dua for Travel) in Arabic and English
The travelling dua is the supplication the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited when he set out on a journey. It asks Allah for righteousness, ease and protection for both the traveller and the family left behind. Whether you are flying for Umrah, driving to another city or going on holiday, this is the dua for travelling to learn.
Dua When Boarding a Car, Plane or Train
When you sit in your seat or vehicle, say:
بِسْمِ اللهِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Bismillah, alhamdulillah. Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.
“In the name of Allah, all praise is for Allah. Glory be to the One who has placed this at our service, and we could never have done it ourselves, and to our Lord we will surely return.”
Source: Quran 43:13 to 14, Abu Dawud 2602, Tirmidhi 3446
Full Travelling Dua in Arabic
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى. اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا، وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ. اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
Travelling Dua Transliteration
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha, watwi ‘anna bu’dahu. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’is-safar, wa ka’abatil-manzar, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.
Dua for Travel English Meaning
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to the One who has placed this at our service, and we could never have done it ourselves, and to our Lord we will surely return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the journey and the Guardian of our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from seeing anything distressing, and from an unhappy return to my wealth and family.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 1342
Dua When Returning From Travel
On your way home, recite the same dua and add:
آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Ayibuna, ta’ibuna, ‘abiduna, li rabbina hamidun.
“We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 1342
Duas to Read on the Journey for Umrah or Hajj
A journey to Makkah and Madinah is the most blessed trip a Muslim can take. Along with the travelling dua above, keep these in mind:
- Recite the talbiyah once you enter ihram: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
- The dua of a traveller is accepted, so make plenty of personal dua for yourself and your family during the journey (Abu Dawud 1536).
- Say “Allahu akbar” when going up and “Subhanallah” when coming down, as the companions did on their travels (Sahih al-Bukhari 2993).
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Dua After Azan
The dua after azan is recited once the call to prayer ends. The Prophet (peace be upon him) promised his intercession on the Day of Judgement to whoever says it.
Dua After Azan in Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ
Transliteration and English Meaning
Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da’watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa’imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab’ath-hu maqaman mahmudanil-ladhi wa’adtah.
“O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer about to be established, grant Muhammad al-Wasilah (a high station in Paradise) and excellence, and raise him to the praised position that You promised him.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 614
Reward of Reciting the Dua After Azan
In the same hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites this dua after hearing the azan will be granted his intercession on the Day of Resurrection. It is also sunnah to repeat the words of the muezzin during the azan and then send salawat on the Prophet before reciting this dua (Sahih Muslim 384).
Dua After Wudu
The dua after wudu is a short testimony of faith said right after finishing ablution. It carries one of the greatest rewards of any daily dua.
Dua After Wudu in Arabic
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
Transliteration and English Meaning
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh. Allahummaj’alni minat-tawwabin, waj’alni minal-mutatahhirin.
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent often and make me among those who purify themselves.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 234 (first part), Tirmidhi 55 (second part)
Virtue of Reciting the Dua After Wudu
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever performs wudu well and then says this testimony, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter through whichever he wishes (Sahih Muslim 234).
Dua Before and After Eating
Every meal is a chance to earn reward. The sunnah is to begin with the name of Allah and finish by thanking Him.
Dua Before Eating
بِسْمِ اللهِ
Bismillah. “In the name of Allah.”
What to Say If You Forget Bismillah
If you remember in the middle of your meal, say:
بِسْمِ اللهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu. “In the name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end.”
Source: Abu Dawud 3767, Tirmidhi 1858
Dua After Eating in Arabic
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا، وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Dua After Eating Transliteration and Meaning
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at’amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
“All praise is for Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any might or power on my part.”
Source: Tirmidhi 3458, Abu Dawud 4023
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever says this after eating will have his past minor sins forgiven.
Dua for Fasting (Suhoor and Iftar)
The dua for fasting covers two moments: the intention before the fast and the dua when breaking it at iftar.
Intention (Niyyah) for Fasting
The intention for fasting is made in the heart, and there is no specific wording reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). The phrase “wa bi sawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri Ramadan” is widely used, but it is not from the hadith. Simply waking for suhoor with the plan to fast is enough as an intention. For a fard fast, make the intention before Fajr.
Dua for Breaking the Fast (Iftar Dua)
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ، وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ
Dhahabaz-zama’u, wabtallatil-‘uruqu, wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah.
“The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.”
Source: Abu Dawud 2357
Which Iftar Dua Is Authentic?
Many people also recite:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ، وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ
Allahumma laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu. “O Allah, for You I fasted, and with Your provision I break my fast.”
This wording is reported in Abu Dawud 2358, but its chain is mursal (missing a link), so scholars consider it weak. It is fine to say as a general dua, but “Dhahabaz-zama’u” is the stronger narration. Remember too that the dua of a fasting person at the time of breaking the fast is not rejected (Ibn Majah 1753), so use this moment to ask Allah for whatever you need.
Dua for Forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar)
The best dua for forgiveness is Sayyid al-Istighfar, which means “the master of seeking forgiveness”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites it with certainty in the day and dies before evening, or recites it at night and dies before morning, will be among the people of Paradise.
Sayyid al-Istighfar in Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration and English Meaning
Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduk, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’t, a’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’t, abu’u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya, wa abu’u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant.
“O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I keep Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favours upon me and I acknowledge my sins, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
Short Duas for Forgiveness From the Quran and Sunnah
- Dua of Adam (peace be upon him): رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ. Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin. “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.” (Quran 7:23)
- Daily istighfar: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ. Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh. “I seek Allah’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said it more than seventy times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari 6307).
Best Time to Seek Forgiveness
- The last third of the night, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks who is seeking forgiveness (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145)
- Morning and evening, especially Sayyid al-Istighfar
- Before the salam in prayer and after finishing salah
- On the day of Arafah and during Ramadan
Dua for Pain and Healing
When Uthman ibn Abi al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) complained of pain in his body, the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught him a simple method that every Muslim can use.
Dua for Pain in the Body (Prophetic Method)
- Place your right hand on the area that hurts.
- Say Bismillah three times.
- Then say the following seven times:
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
“I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 2202
Dua for Healing the Sick
When visiting a sick person, or for yourself, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Allahumma rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba’s, ishfi antash-shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uk, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5743
Dua and medical treatment go together. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged seeking treatment, so keep making dua while also seeing a doctor.
Tips to Memorise These Daily Duas
- Learn one dua per week. Start with the shortest ones, like the dua before eating and after wudu.
- Link each dua to its moment. Say it every single time the moment comes, and it will stick within days.
- Write it on a card. Keep the travelling dua in your car or phone wallpaper, and the istikhara dua saved in your notes.
- Learn the meaning, not just the words. Understanding what you are asking makes the dua easier to remember and more sincere.
- Teach your children. Reciting together as a family helps everyone memorise faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I pray istikhara?
Once is enough. If you are still unsure, you may repeat it on different days. Some scholars mention up to seven times, but there is no fixed number in the authentic sunnah.
Can I read the istikhara dua without praying two rakah?
The sunnah method is to pray two rakah first. If you cannot pray, for example during menses, many scholars allow reciting the dua on its own.
What is the dua for travelling by plane?
The same travelling dua applies to any vehicle. Say Bismillah and the boarding dua when you sit in your seat, then recite the full travelling dua from Sahih Muslim 1342.
Can I make dua in English instead of Arabic?
Yes. You can make personal dua in any language. It is still best to learn the prophetic duas in Arabic, as they are the exact words taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
What is the shortest dua for forgiveness?
“Astaghfirullah” (I seek Allah’s forgiveness) is the shortest. “Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh” is a slightly longer version the Prophet (peace be upon him) said many times every day.
Is there a special dua for travelling to Umrah?
The main dua is the general travelling dua. Once you enter ihram, you begin reciting the talbiyah, and you can make any personal dua throughout the journey, since the dua of a traveller is accepted.
Conclusion
These eight duas cover the most important moments of a Muslim’s day: making decisions, travelling, praying, eating, fasting, repenting and healing. Each one takes less than a minute to recite, yet carries rewards like the opening of Paradise’s gates and the Prophet’s intercession.
Pick one dua you do not know yet and start reciting it today. Save or bookmark this page so you can come back to it whenever you need it.
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