Narrated Jabir

"Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:\n\nThe Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikhara means to ask Allah to\n\nguide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the\n\nSuras of the Qur'an. He said, \"If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two rak`at\n\nprayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): -- 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka\n\nbi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika Al-`azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala\n\naqdiru, Wa ta'lamu Wala a'lamu, Wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-lamra\n\nKhairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati `Amri (or 'ajili `Amri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li\n\nthumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati\n\n`Amri (or fi'ajili `Amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana\n\nThumma ardini bihi.' (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might\n\nand I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You\n\nknow the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and\n\nin my Hereafter--(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)--Then You ordain it for me and\n\nmake it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In"