Intention before the Prayer

After performing Wudu, stand towards the Qibla and make the following intention: "I intend doing salat sunnah (non-obligatory pray) Istikhara for two rakaat, because of Allah ta’aalaa"

Before starting please keep in mind you can do this prayer at any time.

This prayer should be made if you have a decision to make and you do not know what to do, knowing what to decide can come in the form of a feeling, a dream, or a direct sign, but dont become discouraged if your sign does not come immediately as Allah knows best!

Takbeer (Starting the prayer)

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

"Allahu Akbar"

"Allah is the Greatest"

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (Silently)

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

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In the Name of God, There Beneficent, The Merciful

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil’aalameen

Praise is due only for god, the lord of the worlds

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The beneficent, The merciful

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

The Master of the Day of Judgment

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een

You alone do we serve and (From) you alone do we seek help

Indians-Siraatal-Mustaqeen

Guide us to the straight path

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

The path of those, on whole you have bestowed favours, not (The path of those), upon whom is your anger, nor of those who are astray

Aameen

Accept our supplication.

Recite Surah Al-Kaafiroon (Silently) (You can recite from any Surah)

Qul yaa ayyuhal-kaafiroon

Say: O disbelievers

Laa aabudu maa taaboudoon

I do not worship what you worship

Wa laa antum aaabidoona maa aabud

Nor do you worship what I worship

Wa laa ana aaabidoom-maa aabattum

Nor do I serve what you serve.

Wa laa antum aaabidoom maa aabud

Nor do you serve what I serve.

Lakum deenukum wa liya deen

You have your religion, and I have my religion

Recite Al-Qasas 68-69 (Optional) 7 Times

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.

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

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

Bowing (rukoo') - Bow Down

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Stand up straight - Stand Up

SemiaAllaahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You alone belongs all the praise

First Prostration - Prostrate

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Sit up

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Second Prostration - Prostrate

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

2nd rak'a - Stand Up

"Allahu Akbar"

"Allah is the Greatest"

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (Silently)

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

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In the Name of God, There Beneficent, The Merciful

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil’aalameen

Praise is due only for god, the lord of the worlds

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The beneficent, The merciful

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

The Master of the Day of Judgment

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een

You alone do we serve and (From) you alone do we seek help

Indians-Siraatal-Mustaqeen

Guide us to the straight path

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

The path of those, on whole you have bestowed favours, not (The path of those), upon whom is your anger, nor of those who are astray

Aameen

Accept our supplication.

Recite Surah Al-Ikhlass (Silently) (You can recite from any Surah)

Qul huwallaahu ahad

Say: "He is Allah, the one and unique

Allaahussamad

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

Lam yalid walam yoolad

He neither begot any nor was He begotten

Walam yakullahu kufuwan ahad

And none is comparable to Him"

Recite Al-Ahzab 36 (Optional) 7 Times

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

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Subhaana rabbiyal-aadheen

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

Stand up straight - Stand Up

SemiaAllaahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You alone belongs all the praise

First Prostration - Prostrate

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Sit up

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Rabbighfirlee

Oh Allah, Forgive Me

Second Prostration - Prostrate

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Subhanna rabbiyal Aalaa

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

Tashahhud - Lift index finger while saying

Al-tahiyyaatu lillahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat

All greetings, prayers and beautiful expressions are for Allah

As-salaamu aalaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh

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

As-salaamu alainaa wa alaa ibadillaahis-saliheen.

Peace be upon us and upon all righteous servants of Allah

Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha il-IAllaah

I bear witness that there is no god except Allah

wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan aabduhoo wa rasooluh

And I bear witness that Mihammad is His servant and messenger

"Salawat - Lift index finger while saying

Allaahumma salli aalaa Muhammad, wa aalaa aalee Muhammad

Oh Allah, honor Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

kamaa sallayta aalaa Ibraheem wa aalaa aalee Ibraheem

as you honored Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim

innaka Hameedum-Majeed

Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious

Allaahumma baarik aalaa Muhammad, wa aalaa aalee Muhammad

Oh Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

kamaa baarakta aalaa Ibraheem wa aalaa aalee Ibraheem

as you blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim

innaka Hameedum-Majeed

Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious

Salam to the right - Turn your head right

As-salaamu aalaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy

Salam to the left - Turn your head left

As-salaamu aalaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy

Recite the Istikhara Dua

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.