اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي الأمر: السفر إلى بلد كذا، أو الانتقال إلى مدينة كذا) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - 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 great bounty. For indeed You decree and I do not decree, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (here you name the matter: traveling to such-and-such country, or moving to such-and-such city) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (or: my affairs, both immediate and delayed), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (or: my affairs, both immediate and delayed), 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-ghuyub. Allahumma fa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (here you name the matter: traveling to such-and-such country, or moving to such-and-such city) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurnahu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khayra haythu kan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are contemplating a significant decision, such as moving to a new city or country, and you feel uncertain about the best course of action. It's best recited after performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (Salatul Istikhara), ideally when you are calm and have time to reflect, before making the final decision.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After the prayer, raise your hands (or place them in your lap if more comfortable) and recite the Istikhara dua from your heart, clearly stating the specific matter (e.g., 'moving to London' or 'relocating to Canada') where indicated. Focus on seeking Allah's wisdom and guidance, accepting whatever He chooses for you. It is recommended to make this dua repeatedly until your heart feels settled on a decision or you see a clear sign.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah and seek His wisdom for matters beyond our own knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer so that Muslims would seek guidance from their Creator in all their affairs. By performing Istikhara, you are entrusting your decision to Allah, who has perfect knowledge of what is best. This practice brings peace of mind, reduces anxiety associated with big decisions, and ensures that you are moving forward with Allah's blessing and acceptance.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about some matter, he should pray two Rak'ahs of Nono-obligatory prayer and then say: 'O Allah! I seek the best from You with Your knowledge, and seek power with Your power, and I ask of Your tremendous favor, for You have power but I have none, and You have knowledge but I have none. O Allah! If You deem this matter (and here he should name the thing he wants to do) good for me in this life and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You deem this matter as bad for me, then turn it away from me and make me turn away from it, and choose for me what is good. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)'