Book 97, Hadith 19
View on sunnah.com →
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: As-Salami: Allah's Messenger (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 rak`at 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 Knowe…Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: As-Salami: Allah's Messenger (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 rak`at 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
How the Prophet ﷺ modelled 3 behaviours here
Assuming Best Intentions
Approaching conflicts with a desire to understand his perspective and asking questions rather than jumping to furious conclusions.
More on Assuming Best Intentions →
This hadith also models: Cultivating Tranquility Empowering Partnership
Cultivating Tranquility
Allowing him time to decompress when he walks through the door and greeting him with warmth rather than immediate demands.
More on Cultivating Tranquility →
This hadith also models: Assuming Best Intentions Empowering Partnership
Empowering Partnership
Allowing him to complete household tasks or repairs in his own way without criticizing his methods or taking over.
More on Empowering Partnership →
This hadith also models: Assuming Best Intentions Cultivating Tranquility