A decision worth praying over
Istikhara for Marriage
Considering a marriage proposal or a future with someone? Bring this specific decision to mind, ask Allah for what is best, and take your next step with care.
The online result is a reflection aid; continue to consider character, compatibility, and trusted advice.
Before you begin
- Focus on the marriage decisionThink of the particular person or proposal you are considering.
- Pray and make the duaFor Salat al-Istikhara, pray two voluntary rakahs and ask Allah to guide you toward what is good.
- Proceed thoughtfullyUse the online tool, then weigh what you know and seek sound advice before deciding.
A thoughtful way forward
How to Perform Istikhara for Marriage
Istikhara is a prayer for Allah to guide a real decision. When considering marriage, begin with what you can learn about the person and the relationship, then ask Allah for what is best.
Go to the Istikhara dua ↓-
Clarify the decision
Think of the specific person or proposal. Learn about character, values, compatibility, and practical expectations; speak with people you trust.
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Pray two voluntary rak‘ahs
With a sincere intention, offer two rak‘ahs beyond the obligatory prayers before making the Istikhara supplication.
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Recite the Istikhara dua
Ask Allah to make this marriage easy and blessed if it is good for you, or to turn it away and grant you what is better if it is not. Bring your particular decision to mind.
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Continue with care
Consider what you have learned, seek further advice where needed, and make a responsible decision. A dream or an instant sign is not required.
Ask Allah for what is best
Istikhara Dua for Marriage
The supplication is the same one taught for important decisions. When you reach “this matter,” bring the particular marriage or proposal to mind.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
At “هَذَا الْأَمْرَ” (this matter), think of the marriage you are considering.Transliteration
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka biʿilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa asʾaluka min faḍlika al-ʿaẓīm. Faʾinnaka taqdiru wa lā aqdiru, wa taʿlamu wa lā aʿlamu, wa anta ʿallāmu al-ghuyūb.
Allāhumma in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra khayrun lī fī dīnī wa maʿāshī wa ʿāqibati amrī, faqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī thumma bārik lī fīh. Wa in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa maʿāshī wa ʿāqibati amrī, faṣrifhu ʿannī waṣrifnī ʿanhu, waqdur lī al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma arḍinī bih.
English meaning
O Allah, I seek what is best through Your knowledge and seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You are able and I am not; You know and I do not; You know all that is unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my faith, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it for me. If You know it is harmful, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree what is good for me wherever it may be, then make me content with it.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166. The English meaning is a plain-language rendering.