اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ - ثُمَّ تُسَمِّي حَاجَتَكَ - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your immense grace. 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 then you mention your need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: for my present and my future), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: for 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 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-ghuyoom. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (then mention your need) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'aajili amri wa aajilih), faqdirhu 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 fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih), fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir liyal-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the renowned dua for *Istikhara*, a prayer for seeking Allah's guidance when you are contemplating a decision, especially when facing a moral dilemma or a difficult choice where the right path isn't clear. It's recommended to perform *wudu*, pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, and then recite this dua, either immediately after the prayer or before sleeping, focusing on your specific need.
How to Read
It's crucial to perform the Istikhara prayer with sincerity and a sincere intention to follow whatever Allah guides you to. After reciting the dua, you don't necessarily need to see a specific dream. Instead, look for clarity in your heart and mind regarding the decision, or for opportunities and circumstances to naturally unfold. Trust that Allah will make the right path clear to you.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound way to connect with Allah for guidance. By turning to Him in this manner, you acknowledge His supreme knowledge and power, entrusting your affairs to Him. This practice not only helps in making correct decisions but also brings peace of mind and contentment, as you know you've sought the best from the One who knows what is truly best for you.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should perform two Rak'ahs of a prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your immense grace. 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 is good for me in my religion and my worldly life (or: '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 evil for me in my religion and my worldly life (or: '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.' And the supplicant should mention his need.