The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the way of doing istikhārah (seeking Allah's help while making a choice), in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you is concerned regarding a matter, he should offer a two-rakʿah Ṣalāh outside of the obligatory ones and should say:

allāhumma inni astakhīruka bi-ʿilmika, wa-astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa-asʾaluka min fadlik al-ʿaẓīm, fa-innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa-taʿlamu wa-la aʿlamu, wa anta ʿallām al-ghuyūb.

allāhumma in kunta taʿlamu anna {hādhā al-amra} khayrun lī fī dīni wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī," or said, "fi ʿājili amrī wa-ājilihī, fa-uqdurhu lī wa-yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīh; wa-in kunta taʿlamu anna {hādhā al-amra} sharrun lī fī dīni wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī," or said, "fī ʿājili amri wa-ʿājilihī fa-iṣrifhu ʿannī wa-iṣrifnī ʿanhu, wa-uqdur līya al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma arḍini bi-hī.

(O Allah! I seek ˹Your help˺ in making a choice through Your knowledge and seek the ability ˹to do so˺ through Your Power, and I ask You for Your Great Blessings. For You are capable and I am not. You know ˹better˺, and I do not, and You know the ˹matters of the˺ unseen."

O Allah! If You know that {such a matter} is good for me, my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter..." or he said, "for my short-term ˹goals˺ as well as my long-term ˹goals˺, then ordain it for me and make its ˹path˺ easy for me and then bestow Your blessings upon it. If You know that {such a matter} is bad for me, my religion, my livelihood, and for my Hereafter..." or he said, "for my short-term ˹goals˺ as well as my long-term ˹goals˺, then remove it from ˹my path,˺ and remove me from ˹its path˺ and ˹instead˺ ordain for me good, whatever it may be, and let me be content with it.)"

He said: he should name his need (in place of what is mentioned in brackets).  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ: «إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ:»

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ۔ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ۔»

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ {هَذَا الأَمْرَ} خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي» أَوْ قَالَ «عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ۔ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ {هَذَا الأَمْرَ} شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي» أَوْ قَالَ «فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ۔»

قَالَ: وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ.  

The Prophet ﷺ used to teach us the Istikhara for each and every matter as he used to teach us the Suras from the Holy Quran, he would say, "If anyone of you intends to do something, he should offer a two-rakah prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say:

allāhumma inni astakhīruka bi-ʿilmika, wa-astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa-asʾaluka min fadlik al-ʿaẓīm, fa-innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa-taʿlamu wa-la aʿlamu, wa anta ʿallām al-ghuyūb; allāhumma in kunta taʿlamu anna {hādhā al-amra} khayrun lī fī dīni wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī," or said, "fi ʿājili amrī wa-ājilihī, fa-uqdurhu lī, wa-in kunta taʿlamu anna {hādhā al-amra} sharrun lī fī dīni wa-maʿāshī wa-ʿāqibati amrī," or said, "fī ʿājili amri wa-ʿājilihī fa-iṣrifhu ʿannī wa-iṣrifnī ʿanhu wa-uqdur līya al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍini bi-hī."

(O Allah! I seek ˹Your help˺ in making a choice through Your knowledge, and seek the ability ˹to do so˺ through Your Power, and I ask You for Your Great Blessings. For You are capable and I am not. You know ˹better˺, and I do not, and You know the ˹matters of the˺ unseen. O Allah! If You know that {such a matter} is good for me, my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter..." or he said, "for my short-term ˹goals˺ as well as the long-term ˹goals˺, then ordain it for me and make its ˹path˺ easy for me and then bestow Your blessings upon it. If You know that {such a matter} is bad for me, my religion, my livelihood, and for my Hereafter..." or he said, "for my short-term ˹goals˺ as well as my long-term ˹goals˺, then remove it from ˹my path,˺ and remove me from ˹its path˺ and ˹instead˺ ordain for me good, whatever it may be, and let me be content with it."

He said: he should name his need (in place of what is mentioned in brackets).  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَالسُّورَةِ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِذَا هَمَّ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ:

«(اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ؛ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ؛ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ {هَذَا الأَمْرَ} خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي،» أَوْ قَالَ «عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي؛ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ {هَذَا الأَمْرَ} شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي» أَوْ قَالَ «فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ؛ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ)

وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ»  

As-Salami: Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach his companions to perform the prayer of Istikhara for each and every matter just as he used to teach them the Suras from the Qur'an He used to say, "If anyone of you intends to do some thing, he should offer a two rakʿat prayer other than the compulsory prayers, and after finishing it, he should say: O Allah! I consult You, for You have all knowledge, and appeal to You to support me with Your Power and ask for Your Bounty, for You are able to do things while I am not, and You know while I do not; and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah If You know It this matter (name your matter) is good for me both at present and in the future, (or in my religion), in my this life and in the Hereafter, then fulfill it for me and make it easy for me, and then bestow Your Blessings on me in that matter. O Allah! If You know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, in my this life and in my coming Hereafter (or at present or in the future), then divert me from it and choose for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me be pleased with it." (See Hadith No. 391, Vol. 8)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُ أَصْحَابَهُ الاِسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُ السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ ثُمَّ تُسَمِّيهِ بِعَيْنِهِ خَيْرًا لِي فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ قَالَ أَوْ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ  

"The Messenger of Allah used to teach his Companions to perform Istikharah in all matters, just as he used to teach them Surahs 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: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allam al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma, wa in kunta ta'lamu annahu sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur li al-khayr haythu kana, thumma radini bihi. (O Allah, 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 Allah, 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.)"  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَعِينُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ قَالَ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication for isthikharah (seeking what us beneficial from Allah) as he would teach us a surah (chapter) from the Qur'an. He would tell us: When one of you intends to do a work, he should offer two supererogatory rak'ahs of prayer, and then say (at the end of the prayer):

"O Allah, I seek Your choice on the better (of the two matters) based upon Your knowledge, and I seek Your decree based upon Your power, and I ask You for Your great bounties. For Indeed, You are the One Who Decrees, and I do not decree, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this - here he should name exactly what he wishes - is better for me with regard to my religion, and my life, and my afterlife, and the end result of my affairs, then decree it to me, and make it easy for me, and bless me on it. O Allah, and if You know this to be evil for me - and he says just as he said the first time - then avert it for me, and avert me from it. And decree for me good wherever it might be, the make me content with it." A version goes: "If the work is good immediately or subsequently."  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ لَنَا إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ يُسَمِّيهِ بِعَيْنِهِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَمَعَادِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًّا لِي مِثْلَ الأَوَّلِ فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ وَابْنُ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ  

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us Istikharah, just as he used to teach us a Surah of the Qur’an. He said: ‘If anyone of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak’ah of non- obligatory prayer, then say: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa Anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu hadhal-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) ma kan min shay’in khairan li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, aw khairanli fi ‘ajili amri wa ajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li wa barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu [O Allah, 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 Allah, 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]. Then saying similar to what he said the first time, except: Wa in kana sharran li fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu waqdur li al-khair haithuma kana thumma raddini bihi (If it is bad for me 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).’”  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الاِسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ فَيُسَمِّيهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ خَيْرًا لِي فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ يَقُولُ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ فِي الْمَرَّةِ الأُولَى وَإِنْ كَانَ شَرًّا لِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication for isthikharah (seeking what us beneficial from Allah) as he would teach us a surah (chapter) from the Qur'an. He would tell us: When one of you intends to do a work, he should offer two supererogatory rak'ahs of prayer, and then say (at the end of the prayer):

"O Allah, I seek Your choice on the better (of the two matters) based upon Your knowledge, and I seek Your decree based upon Your power, and I ask You for Your great bounties. For Indeed, You are the One Who Decrees, and I do not decree, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this - here he should name exactly what he wishes - is better for me with regard to my religion, and my life, and my afterlife, and the end result of my affairs, then decree it to me, and make it easy for me, and bless me on it. O Allah, and if You know this to be evil for me - and he says just as he said the first time - then avert it for me, and avert me from it. And decree for me good wherever it might be, the make me content with it." A version goes: "If the work is good immediately or subsequently." (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1538)   

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ: «إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلْ:»

«اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ۔ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ۔»

«اللهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ (هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ) خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي۔۔۔» قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ: «وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ۔ اللهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًّا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ۔»

وَقَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ «وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ۔ اللهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًّا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ۔»  

[Machine] From his grandfather, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, companion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: "Keep the sermon to yourself, then perform ablution and perfect your ablution, then perform what Allah has prescribed for you, then praise and glorify your Lord, then say: Allahumma innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, anta 'allam al-ghuyub. Fa in ra'ayta li fi fulanah, tusammiha bi ismiha khayran fi deeni wa dunyaya wa akhirati, wa in kana ghayruha khayran li minha fi deeni wa dunyaya wa akhirati faqdil li biha aw qaddirha li."

Translation: From his grandfather, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, companion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: "Keep the sermon to yourself, then perform ablution and perfect your ablution, then perform what Allah has prescribed for you, then praise and glorify your Lord, then say: O Allah, You have power and I have no power, You know and I do not know, You are the Knower of the unseen. So if You see good for me in so-and-so, by her name, in my religion, worldly life, and the hereafter, then decree it for me or else decree something better for me."  

عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ صَاحِبِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَهُ اكْتُمِ الْخِطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ وَصَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللهُ لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجِّدْهُ ثُمَّ قُلْ اللهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُالْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ لِي فِي فُلَانَةَ تُسَمِّيهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُهَا خَيْرًا لِي مِنْهَا فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْضِ لِي بِهَا أَوْ قَالَ فَاقْدِرْهَا لِي  

[Machine] "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Keep the sermon secret, then perform ablution and perfect your ablution, then perform the prayer that Allah prescribed for you, then praise and glorify your Lord, then say: O Allah, You are able and I am not able, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. So if You know that this matter (mention the matter) is good for me in my religion, my life, and the Hereafter, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, my life, and the Hereafter, then divert it from me and divert me from it. And decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me satisfied with it." This is the Sunnah of the Istikhara prayer, a precious tradition that the people of Egypt have exclusively practiced, and their narrators until the end are trustworthy and have not been disputed."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ اكْتُمِ الْخِطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجِّدْهُ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ لِي فُلَانَةً تُسَمِّيهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدُرْهَا لِي وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُهَا خَيْرًا لِي مِنْهَا فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْضِ لِي بِهَا أَوْ قُلْ «فَاقْدُرْهَا لِي» هَذِهِ سُنَّةُ صَلَاةِ الِاسْتِخَارَةِ عَزِيزَةٌ تَفَرَّدَ بِهَا أَهْلُ مِصْرَ ورُوَاتُهُ عَنْ آخِرِهِمْ ثِقَاتٌ وَلَمْ يُخَرِّجَاهُ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Keep the sermon secret, then perform ablution and complete it perfectly. Then, offer the prayer that Allah the Almighty has prescribed for you. Afterwards, praise and glorify your Lord. Then say, 'O Allah, You have the power and I do not have it, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. So if You see, in the case of so-and-so (mention the name of the person), better for me in my religion, worldly life, and hereafter, then decree it for me. But if You know that it is not good for me in my religion, worldly life, and hereafter, then keep it away from me and make me content with what You have decided for me."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ اكْتُمِ الْخُطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنِ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجِّدْهُ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ لِيَ فِي فُلَانَةٍ يُسَمِّيهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدُرْهَا لِي فَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدُرْهَا لِي  

[Machine] I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "If any one of you wants to do something, let him say: 'O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [mention it] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.'"  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ «إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا لِلْأَمْرِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَأَعِنِّي عَلَيْهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا لِلْأَمْرِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ شَرًّا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي ثُمَّ اقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ أَيْنَمَا كَانَ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If one of you wants to make a decision, then let him say: 'O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek Your assistance by virtue of Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed, You are capable and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my future, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and bless me therein. And if You know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my future, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it according to Your decree."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِي مَعِيشَتِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِي عَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ خَيْرًا لِي فَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ مَا كَانَ وَرَضِّنِي بِقَدَرِكَ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication for isthikharah (seeking what us beneficial from Allah) as he would teach us a surah (chapter) from the Qur'an. He would tell us: When one of you intends to do a work, he should offer two supererogatory rak'ahs of prayer, and then say (at the end of the prayer):

"O Allah, I seek Your choice on the better (of the two matters) based upon Your knowledge, and I seek Your decree based upon Your power, and I ask You for Your great bounties. For Indeed, You are the One Who Decrees, and I do not decree, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this - here he should name exactly what he wishes - is better for me with regard to my religion, and my life, and my afterlife, and the end result of my affairs, then decree it to me, and make it easy for me, and bless me on it. O Allah, and if You know this to be evil for me - and he says just as he said the first time - then avert it for me, and avert me from it. And decree for me good wherever it might be, the make me content with it." A version goes: "If the work is good immediately or subsequently." (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1538)   

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ «إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُسَمِّيهِ بِعَيْنِهِ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فقدره لي ويسره لي وبارك فيه وإن كان شرا لي في ديني ومعادي ومعاشي وعاقبة أمري فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَقَدِّرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ وَرَضِّنِي بِهِ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Keep silent during the sermon, then perform ablution, and perfect your ablution. Then pray what Allah has ordained for you. Then praise and glorify your Lord, and say, 'O Allah, You have power, and I have no power. You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge. And You are the Knower of the unseen. So if you see fit for me in so-and-so, mentioning her by name, to be good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my Hereafter, then decree it for me. And if You see fit that someone other than her is better for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my Hereafter, then fulfill it for me."

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أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «اكْتُمِ الْخِطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجِّدْهُ ثُمَّ قُلْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ فِيَ فُلَانَةِ وَتُسَمِّيهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدُرْهَا لِي وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُهَا خَيْرًا لِي مِنْهَا فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْضِ لِي ذَلِكَ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us istikhara and said: When one of you wants to make a decision, let them say, "O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek Your assistance by virtue of Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favor. For You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me and simplify it for me, and bless me with it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it." And he would say this and then make a firm decision.  

عَلَّمَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَلْيَقُلِ اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ؛ فَإِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَتقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ كَانَ هَذَا الَّذِي أُرِيدُ خَيْرًا فِي دِينِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ خَيْرًا لِي فَاقْدِرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ يَعْزِمُ  

[Machine] On the authority of the Prophet, ﷺ , that whenever he sought guidance from Allah in a matter he intended to do, he would say, "O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, I seek Your capability through Your power, and I ask for Your favor. For You are capable and I am not, and You know and I do not know. You have knowledge of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in terms of my religion, my life, and the consequences of my affairs, then decree it for me and make it easy for me. And bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me, then divert me from it and ordain for me the goodness wherever it may be."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا اسْتَخَارَ فِي الْأَمْرِ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَصْنَعَهُ يَقُولُ «اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ؛ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ هَذَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِي مَعِيشَتِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِيمَا أَبْتَغِي بِهِ الْخَيْرَ فَخِرْ لِي فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَيَسِّرْهُ ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ خَيْرًا لِي فَاقْدِرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the istikhara prayer: "O Allah, 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 Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for me, both in my religion and in my livelihood, and in the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge this matter is bad for me in my religion and in my livelihood and in the consequences of my affairs, 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."  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ «اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ؛ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِي مَعِيشَتِي وَخَيْرًا لِي فِيمَا أَبْتَغِي بِهِ الْخَيْرَ فَخِرْ لِي فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ خَيْرًا لِي فَاقْدِرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ»  

[Machine] The Prophet ﷺ said, "Keep the sermon secret, then perform ablution and perfect it, then pray what Allah has prescribed for you. Then praise and glorify your Lord, and say, 'O Allah, You have the power and I have no power. You have the knowledge and I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. If You see good for me in so-and-so (mentioning her name), in my worldly life and Hereafter, decree it for me or decide it for me.'"  

أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ اكْتُمِ الْخِطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللهُ لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجَّدَهُ ثُمَّ قُلْ اللهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ لِي فِي فُلَانَةَ سَمِّهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا فِي دُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْضِ لِي بِهَا أَوْ قَالَ فَاقْدِرْهَا لِي  

[Machine] Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn Umar, they said: The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ , taught us Al-Istikharah (the prayer for seeking guidance) just as he taught us a chapter of the Qur'an. (O Allah, I seek Your guidance 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 Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (mention your intention) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, this matter is bad for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), 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).  

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَعَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ «اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخْيِرُكَ بِعِلْمِكِ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ عَلِيَّ مِنْ قَضَاءٍ فَاجْعَلْ عَاقِبَتَهُ إِلَى خَيْرٍ»  

The Prophet ﷺ used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur'an. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two rakʿat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): -- 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika Al-ʿazlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta'lamu Wala a'lamu, Wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-lamra Khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati ʿAmri (or 'ajili ʿAmri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati ʿAmri (or fi'ajili ʿAmri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.' (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter--(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)--Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter--(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)--Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet ﷺ added that then the person should name (mention) his need. (Using translation from Bukhārī 1166)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولَ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلْ اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كُنْتُ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِقَضَائِكَ  

The Prophet ﷺ used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur'an. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two rakʿat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): -- 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika Al-ʿazlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta'lamu Wala a'lamu, Wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-lamra Khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati ʿAmri (or 'ajili ʿAmri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati ʿAmri (or fi'ajili ʿAmri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.' (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter--(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)--Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter--(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)--Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet ﷺ added that then the person should name (mention) his need. (Using translation from Bukhārī 1166)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لْيَقُلْ اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي قَالَ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication for isthikharah (seeking what us beneficial from Allah) as he would teach us a surah (chapter) from the Qur'an. He would tell us: When one of you intends to do a work, he should offer two supererogatory rak'ahs of prayer, and then say (at the end of the prayer):

"O Allah, I seek Your choice on the better (of the two matters) based upon Your knowledge, and I seek Your decree based upon Your power, and I ask You for Your great bounties. For Indeed, You are the One Who Decrees, and I do not decree, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this - here he should name exactly what he wishes - is better for me with regard to my religion, and my life, and my afterlife, and the end result of my affairs, then decree it to me, and make it easy for me, and bless me on it. O Allah, and if You know this to be evil for me - and he says just as he said the first time - then avert it for me, and avert me from it. And decree for me good wherever it might be, the make me content with it." A version goes: "If the work is good immediately or subsequently." (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1538)   

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ قَالَ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the supplication for isthikharah (seeking what us beneficial from Allah) as he would teach us a surah (chapter) from the Qur'an. He would tell us: When one of you intends to do a work, he should offer two supererogatory rak'ahs of prayer, and then say (at the end of the prayer):

"O Allah, I seek Your choice on the better (of the two matters) based upon Your knowledge, and I seek Your decree based upon Your power, and I ask You for Your great bounties. For Indeed, You are the One Who Decrees, and I do not decree, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if you know this - here he should name exactly what he wishes - is better for me with regard to my religion, and my life, and my afterlife, and the end result of my affairs, then decree it to me, and make it easy for me, and bless me on it. O Allah, and if You know this to be evil for me - and he says just as he said the first time - then avert it for me, and avert me from it. And decree for me good wherever it might be, the make me content with it." A version goes: "If the work is good immediately or subsequently." (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1538)   

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُعَلِّمُنَا الِاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الْأَمْرِ كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ لَنَا إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللهُمَّ إِنَّى أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَتَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُسَمِّيهِ وَيُعَيِّنُهُ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَمَعَادِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ اللهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًّا لِي مِثْلَ الْأَوَّلِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Keep your speech secret, then perform ablution and perfect your ablution, then pray what Allah has prescribed for you. Then praise and glorify your Lord, and say: O Allah, You are capable and I am not capable, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. So, if you see goodness for me in Fulanah (mention the person's name), and naming her is good for my religion, worldly affairs, and Hereafter, then decree it for me. And if there is goodness for me in someone other than her in my religion, worldly affairs, and Hereafter, then decree it for me."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ اكْتُمِ الْخِطْبَةَ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا كَتَبَ اللهُ لَكَ ثُمَّ احْمَدْ رَبَّكَ وَمَجِّدْهُ ثُمَّ قُلْ اللهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ لِي فُلَانَةَ وَتُسَمِّيهَا بِاسْمِهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدِرْهَا لِي وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُهَا خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَآخِرَتِي فَاقْدِرْهَا لِي  

"If anyone of you is concerned regarding a matter, he should offer a two-rakʿah Ṣalāh outside of the obligatory ones and should say:"

"O Allah! I seek ˹Your help˺ in making a choice through Your knowledge and seek the ability ˹to do so˺ through Your Power, and I ask You for Your Great Blessings. For You are capable, and I am not. You know ˹better˺, and I do not, and You know the ˹matters of the˺ unseen."

"O Allah! If You know that such a matter..." (and he should name the matter here) "is good for me, my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter, then ordain it for me and make its ˹path˺ easy for me and then bestow Your blessings upon it. If You know of it to be bad for me, my religion, my livelihood, and for my Hereafter, then remove it from ˹my path,˺ and remove me from ˹its path˺ and ˹instead˺ ordain for me good, whatever it may be, and let me be content with it."  

«إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ، ثُمَّ لِيَقُلِ:»

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ۔ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ۔»

«اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ» -وتسمِّيه باسمه- «خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ۔ االلَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ شَرًٌا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي، وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ۔»  

"إذَا أرادَ أحدُكم أمْرًا فليقل: اللهم إنّى أستخيرُك بعلمك - وأستقدركُ - بقدرتك - وأسألُك من فضلِك العظيم - فإنَّك تقدرُ ولا أقدر، وتعلم ولا أعلم، وأنت علّام الغيوبِ - اللهم إن كان كذا وكذا من الأمر الذي يريد لي خيرًا في دينى ومعيشتى وعاقبة أمرى فيسرْه لي، وإلا فاصْرفْه عنى واصرفنى عنه - ثم قدر لي الخيرَ أينما كان، ولا حولَ ولا قوةَ إلا بالله".  

" إذا أراد أحدُكم أمرًا فليقلْ: اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك وأستقدرك بقدرتك، وأسألك من فظلِك العظيم- فإنك تقدر ولا أقدر وتعلمُ ولا أعلم وأنت علامُ الغيوب- اللهم إن كان كذا وكذا خيرًا (لي) في دينى، وخيرًا لي في معيشتى، وخيرًا لي في عاقبة أمرى فاقدره لي وبارك لي فيه، وإن كان غيرُ ذلك خيرًا لي فاقدرْ لي الخير حيثما كان ورضنى بقدرِك" .  

"أكتم الخِطبَة، ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأ، فأحْسِنْ وُضوءَك، ثم صلِّ ما كَتَب الله لك، ثمَّ أحمد ربَّكَ ومَجِّدْهُ، ثم قلْ: اللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ تقدرُ ولا أقدُرُ، وتعلَمُ، ولا أَعلَمُ، وأنت علَّامُ الغيوب، فَإِن رأيتَ لي في فُلانَة -يُسَمِّيَها باسمِها- خيرًا في دينى، ودنياى، وآخرتى فاقْدُرْها لِي، وإن كان غيرُها خيرًا لي منْها في دينى، ودنياى، وآخرتى، فاقْدُرْها لي".