Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to
guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the
Suras of the Quran. He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat
prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): — ‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka
bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-‘azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala
aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna
Volume 2 – 267 / 1700
SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 2 > BOOK 21: PRAYER AT NIGHT (TAHAJJUD)
hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa
yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa
ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira
haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’ (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from
Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not
and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsist –
ence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–Then You ordain
it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is
harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my
present and later needs)–Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me
whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet added that then the person
should name (mention) his need.