English translation
1162. Narrated Jābir bin 'Abdullāh رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: The Prophet ﷺ used to teach us the way of doing Istikhāra in all matters as he taught us the Sūrahs of the Qur'ān. (Istikhāra means to ask Allāh to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or deed), He said, "If anyone of you decides to do any job, he should offer a two Rak'ā Ṣalāt (prayer) other than the compulsory ones and say (after the Ṣalāt): 'Allāhumma innī astakḥiruka bi-'ilmika, wa astaḍqiruka bi-qudratika, wa as'aluka min faḍlikal-'azīm. Fa-innaka taqdiru walā aqdiru, wa ta'lamu walā a'lamu, wa Anta 'Allāmul-ghuyūb. Allāhumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hādhal-amra khairun li, fi dīnī wa ma'āshī wa 'āqibati amrī (or 'ājili amrī wa 'ājilihi), faqdurhu li wa yas-sirhu li, thumma bārik li fīhi, wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hādhal-amra sharr-un li, fi dīnī wa ma'āshī wa 'āqibati amrī (or fi 'ājili amrī wa 'ājilihi), faṣrifhu 'anni waṣ-rifnī 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira ḥaithu kāna, Thumma arḍini bihi.' (O Allāh, I consult You as You are All-Knowing, and appeal to You to give me power as You are Omnipotent, and ask You for Your Great Favour, for You have power, but I don't, and You have knowledge, but I don't have, and You know all hidden matters. O Allāh, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my life in the Hereafter (or said: For my present, and future life), then do it for me; and if You know that this matter is evil (not good) for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my life in the Hereafter (or said: For my present and future life), then keep it away from me and take me away from it, and choose what is good for me wherever it is, and please me with it.) The Prophet ﷺ added that then the person should name (mention) his need (matter).