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. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: 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 I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your immense favor. 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 - then you name your need - is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or he said: for my present and future), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or he said: for my present and future), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - thumma tusammī ḥājataka - khayrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma bārik li fīh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilih - faṣrifhu 'annī, waṣrifnī 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih.
When to Read
This profound dua is recited when facing a significant decision where one feels uncertain about the best course of action. It's particularly relevant when grappling with choices that involve one's faith, worldly affairs, and ultimate outcome. This includes major life decisions like marriage, career changes, financial investments, or even smaller choices where clarity is needed. It is typically performed after offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) and then reciting this supplication.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer itself involves performing two units (rak'ahs) of prayer outside of the obligatory times. After the prayer, while facing the Qiblah and with sincere intention, one recites the Istikhara dua. It's crucial to clearly identify the matter you need guidance on and insert it into the designated part of the dua. The intention should be to seek Allah's will, trusting that He knows what is best, even if it's not immediately apparent to us. After reciting the dua, one should proceed with their life, and guidance may come in various forms: a clear inclination, a dream, an opening for one option and a closing for another, or a sense of peace and contentment with a particular path.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a direct application of seeking Allah's help and wisdom when faced with choices. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this practice so that we do not rely solely on our limited understanding or desires. It fosters reliance on Allah (Tawakkul), strengthens faith, and brings immense peace of mind, knowing that the decision is made with divine input. Embracing divine timing through Istikhara helps us submit to Allah's plan, finding contentment and blessing in whatever He decrees for us, whether it's an immediate fulfillment or a delay that ultimately proves to be better.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all affairs as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek the best from You by Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek ability, and I ask of Your most great bounty. For indeed You have power but I have none, and You have knowledge but I have no knowledge. And You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for my religion, my subsistence and my accountability (or he said: for my present and my future), 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 my religion, my subsistence and my accountability (or he said: for my present and my future), 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.' He added: 'At that time, he should mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)