Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 558 — The istikharah prayer

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "When one of you intends a matter, he should say: 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-'azim, fa'innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allam al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kana kadha wa kadha, fi al-amr alladhi turid, khayran li fi dini wa ma'ishati wa 'aqibati amri, wa illa fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, thumma uqdur li al-khayra aynama kana, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi al-'aliyyi al-'azim' (O Allah, I seek good from You by Your knowledge, and I ask You for ability (to attain good) by Your power, and I ask You of Your immense bounty; for indeed You alone have power and I have no power, You alone know and I do not know, and You are the One who fully knows all hidden things. O Allah, if this matter (here he should mention the matter he intends) is better for me with regard to my religion, my life and the outcome of my affairs, (then decree it for me); otherwise, turn this matter away from me and turn me away from it, then decree good for me wherever it may be; and there is no power (to avoid evil) and no strength (to do good) except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great)."
Imam Ibn Hibban narrated this report through the same chain mentioned by Imam Abu Ya'la.