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 - سَمِّ الْأَمْرَ بِعَيْنِهِ - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي 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 Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek power through Your power, and I ask for Your magnificent bounty. For indeed You have power, and I have no power; You know, and I know not; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – name the matter itself – is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter – or he said: in 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 worldly life, 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 that which is good wherever it may be, and make me satisfied 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-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - sammil-amra bi 'aynihi - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the profound supplication known as Istikhara. It's recommended when you are facing a decision, especially a moral dilemma or a significant choice where the right path isn't immediately clear. Whether it's about a career path, a relationship, a financial decision, or any situation that requires a choice, Istikhara provides a way to seek divine direction.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to perform Istikhara by first making wudu (ablution), then praying two units (rak'ahs) of non-obligatory prayer. After the prayer, one recites this dua, specifically mentioning the decision you are contemplating in place of '[name the matter itself]'. The essence is to sincerely ask Allah to guide you to the best choice based on His infinite knowledge. Following the dua, you should feel at ease with a decision, or have a clear inclination, or sometimes, a dream may provide clarity. It's not about getting a specific sign, but about trusting Allah's guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful manifestation of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). It frees us from the burden of making the ultimate decision alone, acknowledging that Allah's knowledge far surpasses our own. By turning to Him, we open ourselves to His wisdom, ensuring that whatever outcome unfolds is ultimately for our best, whether we initially perceive it as such or not. It brings peace of mind and contentment, knowing we've sought the best from the Best.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): 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 matter he should perform two Rak'ah of a non-obligatory prayer 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-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - sammil-amra bi 'aynihi - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)