اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تذكر الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه: مثلاً: السفر للحج هذا العام، أو اختيار حملة معينة) 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 الأَمْرَ 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 the good from Your knowledge, and seek ability by Your power, and I ask of Your magnificent 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 (mention the matter here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – 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 livelihood, and my end – 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 the good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakheeruka 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-amr (mention the matter here, e.g., travelling for Hajj this year, or choosing a specific Hajj group) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma baarik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr shar-run li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – fasrifhu 'annee wa sarifnee 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua, known as Salat al-Istikhara, is recommended when facing a decision, especially one as significant as making arrangements for Hajj or Umrah. Whether it's choosing dates, selecting a travel agency, deciding on the type of Hajj/Umrah, or any other related choice where you need divine guidance. It's best recited after performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, and then making the dua.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After the Tasleem (completion of the prayer), face the Qiblah and recite this dua. It's important to genuinely reflect on the decision you are seeking guidance for and to have full reliance on Allah. Speak your specific need or decision into the portion of the dua that says 'hadhal-amr' (this matter). The Prophet ﷺ taught us to repeat the dua three times if possible.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara dua is a profound act of submission and trust in Allah's perfect wisdom. By seeking His guidance, we acknowledge our own limitations in knowledge and foresight. The benefits include: gaining clarity on the best course of action, finding ease in making difficult decisions, receiving Allah's blessings in the chosen path, and developing a deeper connection with our Creator. It's a practical way to ensure our important life choices align with what is best for us in this world and the next.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should pray two Rak'ahs of a voluntary prayer, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability by Your power, and ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power, but I have no power. You have knowledge, I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and here he mentions the specific matter) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil 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.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name the matter specifically.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)