اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability from Your power, and I ask for Your immense favour. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, You have knowledge and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter here, e.g., marrying so-and-so) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter, for this life and the next, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter, for this life and the next, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me satisfied with it."
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here, e.g., az-zawaj min...) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically recited after performing the two rak'ahs of Salaatul Istikhara (The Prayer of Guidance). It is particularly relevant when you are contemplating marriage, whether it's about deciding to propose, accepting a proposal, or even choosing a specific partner when faced with multiple options. It's for those moments when you've done your research, spoken to family, and sought advice, but you still need Allah's ultimate direction.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, followed by reciting this specific dua. It's recommended to recite it with sincerity and a clear intention, asking Allah to guide you to what is best. After reciting the dua, the practice is to sleep in a state of purity, hoping for a sign or clarity in one's heart or dreams. If no clarity comes, one can repeat the prayer and dua up to seven times. The key is a humble heart, seeking only Allah's wisdom when our own is insufficient.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound manifestation of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). By turning to Allah before making significant decisions, especially concerning marriage, we entrust our affairs to the One who knows all outcomes. This practice brings immense peace of mind, reducing anxiety and regret. It ensures that our choices align with Allah's plan, which is always the best for us, even if we don't see it immediately. It’s a way to seek divine intervention in matters that shape our lives and families.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara (prayer for guidance) in all matters, just as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. He would say: 'If one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayers, and then say: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'ajihi wa ajilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'ajihi wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma raddhini bih. 'And he added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)