English translation
3255. It was narrated that Jâbir bin 'Abdullâh said: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to teach his Companions to perform Istikhârah in all matters, just as he used to teach them Sûrahs from the Qur'an. He said: 'If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: Allâhumma innî astakhîruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min faḍlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa lâ aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa lâ a'lam, wa anta 'allâmu al-ghuyûb. Allâhumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hâdhal-amra khayrun li fi dîni wa ma'âshi wa 'âqibati amri (or: fi 'âjil amri wa âjilîhi) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma bârik li fihi. Allâhumma, wa in kunta ta'lamu annahu sharrun li fi dîni wa ma'âshi wa 'âqibati amri (or: fi 'âjili amri wa âjilîhi) faşrifhu 'annî waşrifnî 'anhu waqdur li al-khayr haythu kâna, thumma raḍinî bihi (O Allâh, 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 Allâh, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: both in this world and in the Hereafter), 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 it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it).” (Ṣaḥîḥ)