اللَّهُمَّ اسْتَخِرْ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَاسْتَقْدِرْ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (ويسمي الأمر) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي 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 based on Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and I ask of You 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 (and he specifies the matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or he said: in my present and my future - then decree it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or he said: in my present and my future - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me content with it.
Allahumma, astakhir-bi 'ilmika, wastaqdir-bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (wa yusammil-amr) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - fapdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr shar-run li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur lil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the profound dua of Istikhara, often recited when facing a decision, but its essence is particularly relevant before sleep. When you're about to rest, your mind is often clearer, free from the immediate pressures of the day. It's a beautiful time to consciously hand over your concerns and decisions to Allah, asking for His wisdom to guide you in the matters that weigh on your mind, big or small.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us a specific way to perform Istikhara. It's a two-rak'ah prayer, ideally performed outside of the disliked prayer times, followed by reciting this dua. You'd make the intention for Istikhara before starting the prayer. After the prayer, face the Qiblah and recite this supplication, specifically mentioning the matter you are seeking guidance on. It's recommended to repeat it seven times. The key is sincere intention and complete reliance on Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua for Istikhara is more than just asking for an answer; it's an act of complete submission and trust in Allah's infinite wisdom. It brings immense peace of mind, knowing that you've sought the best from the One who knows all outcomes. The Prophet ﷺ assured us that whoever seeks guidance through Istikhara from Allah will not be disappointed, and whoever seeks self-sufficiency from Allah will not be lacking. It's a spiritual tool to navigate life's crossroads with serenity.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught the Companions to perform Istikhara in all matters, just as he taught them Surahs from the Quran. He said: 'When one of you is concerned about a matter, let him pray two rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayers, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance through Your knowledge, and control through Your power, and I ask of You Your great bounty. For indeed 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... (the rest of the dua as translated above).'