اللَّهُمَّ اسْتَخِرْ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَاسْتَقْدِرْ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (وَيُسَمَّى حَاجَتَهُ) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek ability with Your power, and I ask for Your immense favour. For You decree and I cannot decree, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and he mentions his need) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end [or he said: in my present and future], 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 livelihood, and my end [or he said: in my present and future], then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good, wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (and he mentions his need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'annee wa sarifnee 'anhu, waqdur liya-l-khayra haithu kaana, thumma radhini bihi.
When to Read
This is the renowned Dua al-Istikhara, the prayer for seeking guidance from Allah when faced with a significant decision. It's recited when you're unsure about the best course of action in matters like marriage, career choices, moving, or any situation where you need Allah's wisdom to direct you. You should perform Wudu, pray two units (rak'ahs) of prayer outside of the obligatory ones, and then recite this supplication.
How to Read
It is recommended to perform Wudu (ablution) before reciting this dua, as you would for any prayer. Pray two rak'ahs (units of prayer) of nafl (voluntary) prayer. After completing the prayer and the Tashahhud, you recite this specific dua. It is also recommended to mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance for within the dua, where indicated. The intention is to wholeheartedly entrust the decision to Allah, seeking His perfect knowledge and power to guide you to what is best.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a beautiful way to connect with Allah when making decisions. By seeking His guidance, we acknowledge His infinite wisdom and our own limitations. It brings peace to the heart, as you are entrusting your affairs to the One who knows all outcomes. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his companions, highlighting its importance in seeking divine direction in all matters, big or small, and trusting in His decree, whether it leads to acceptance or rejection of the matter.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a thing, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I ask of You through Your knowledge and seek ability through Your power, and I beg of You from Your great bounty. For You have power, and I have no power. You know all of the things that are hidden. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for me in my religion and a source of livelihood and a good end to my affairs, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me and then bless me in it. And if You know that this task is bad for me in my religion and a source of livelihood and an evil end to my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.' The narrator said: 'And he should mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)