Mishkat al-Masabih — Hadith #48529

On the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah, he said: The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to teach us istikharah in matters just as he taught us surahs from the Qur’an. He says: “If one of you is concerned about a matter, let him perform two rak’ahs other than the obligatory prayer, then say: O God, I ask You to ask for guidance.” With your knowledge, and I appreciate your ability, and I ask you out of your great bounty, for you are able, and I do not appreciate, and you know, and I do not know, and you are the Knower of the unseen. Indeed, you knew that this matter is good to me in my religion, my livelihood, and the consequence of my affair. Bless me in it, and if you know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs - or he said, in my present and future affairs - then dismiss it. And turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and then please me with it.” He said: “And he names his need.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari