اللَّهُمَّ اسْتَخِرْ بِكَ عِلْمَكَ، وَاسْتَقْدِرْ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تذكر حاجتك) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and Your power with Your might, and I ask of Your great bounty. 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 your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and for my Hereafter (or: in my present and future affairs), then ordain 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 livelihood and my Hereafter (or: in my present and future affairs), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, and make me content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa asta'diruka 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 fa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (mention your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li'l-khaira haithu kana, thumma raddini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when faced with a decision, big or small, after performing two rak'ahs of prayer. It's often called Salat al-Istikhara. You can recite it when you're unsure about a choice, whether it's about a job, marriage, a move, or any significant life decision. The key is to perform it with a sincere heart, genuinely seeking Allah's wisdom.
How to Read
The practice of Salat al-Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer, not from the obligatory prayers, and then reciting this specific dua. After reciting the dua, you mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance for in the designated spot within the dua. The intention is to surrender the decision to Allah, trusting that He knows what's best. It's recommended to make the decision after this prayer, and to remain open to signs or feelings that Allah may place in your heart. Don't expect a dream; rather, look for clarity and ease towards one option, or aversion from another.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit is receiving Allah's guidance in making the best possible decision, thereby avoiding future regret. By turning to Allah, we acknowledge our limitations and His infinite wisdom and power. This practice instills trust (tawakkul) in Allah, leading to peace of mind and contentment, regardless of the outcome. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua as a means to connect with Allah's knowledge and power for our worldly and religious affairs.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should observe two Rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek strength, and I ask of Your tremendous favour, for You have power and I have no power, and You have knowledge and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (then mention the matter you want to do) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.'" He added: "The name of his Lord should be mentioned in the dua."