Hadithcore
Riyad as-Salihin, 717

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) in all matters as he would teach us a Surah of the Qur'an. He used to say: "When one of you contemplates entering upon an enterprise, let him perform two Rak'ah of optional prayer other than Fard prayers and then supplicate: "Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as-'aluka min fadlikal-'azim. Fainnaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa Anta 'allamul- ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-'amra (and name what you want to do) khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, (or he said) 'ajili amri ajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal 'amra (and name what you want to do) sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, (or he said) wa 'ajili amri wa ajilihi, fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyal- khaira haithu kana, thumma ardini bihi." (O Allah, I consult You through Your Knowledge, and I seek strength through Your Power, and ask of Your Great Bounty; for You are Capable whereas I am not and, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and name it) is good for me in respect of my Deen, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs, (or he said), the sooner or the later of my affairs then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know this matter (and name it) to be bad for my Deen, my livelihood or the consequences of my affairs, (or he said) the sooner or the later of my affairs then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and grant me power to do good whatever it may be, and cause me to be contented with it). And let the supplicant specify the object." <b>[Al-Bukhari]</b>

-وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعلمنا الإستخارة في الأمور كلها كالسورة من القرآن ، يقول ‏:‏ إذا همّ أحدكم بالأمر، فليركع ركعتين من غير الفريضة، ثم ليقل، اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك، وأستقدرك بقدرتك، وأسألك من فضلك العظيم؛ فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علام الغيوب‏.‏ اللهم إن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر خير لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري‏"‏ أو قال‏:‏ ‏"‏عاجل أمري وآجله ، فاقدره لي ويسره لي، ثم بارك لي فيه، وإن كنت تعلم أن هذا الأمر شر لي في ديني ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري‏"‏ أو قال‏:‏ ‏"‏عاجل أمري وآجله، فاصرفه عني ، واصرفني عنه، واقدر لي الخير حيث كان، ثم ارضني به‏"‏ قال‏:‏ ويسمي حاجته‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant
In-Book Reference
Book 1, Hadith 38
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It is recommended to perform Istikhārah concerning any doubtful matter, no matter how insignificant it may appear.<br> 2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to teach this prayer to his Companions, given the immediate and future benefits it accords. Likewise, a preacher should be keen to teach people what is beneficial for them.<br> 3) A person should refer all matters to his Lord and not rely on his own strength or power, for true strength and power belong to Allah Almighty. Doing this is an indication of one’s happiness and success.<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> His words “and then say” signify succession and lack of hurry. Hence, the supplication should be made after the prayer; i.e. he prays two Rak‘ahs then make this supplication. Some scholars, however, said that a person should make the supplication before Taslim, for the end of prayer is a position for supplication while the person is turning towards his Lord.<br> In Fat'h Al-Bāri Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhāri, Al-Hāfizh Ibn Hajar al-‘Askalāni (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:<br> “His words ‘and then say’ apparently indicate that the supplication is to be made after the prayer. Yet, it is also possible that it is valid to make it during prayer. This order may signify that prayer is commenced before making supplication, for the place of supplication in prayer is during prostration or Tashahhud. Ibn Abi Jamrah said: ‘The wisdom behind putting prayer ahead of supplication is that the purpose of Istikhārah is to combine the goodness of this world and goodness of the Hereafter, and so a person needs to knock on the door of the Almighty Lord, and nothing can do this more effectively and successfully than performing prayer, given that it comprises great exaltation and praise of Allah as well as standing in need before Him.’”<br> <br> <b>Words in the Hadith:</b><br> Istikhārah: Seeking guidance, when needed, as to which of two matters is better.
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