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 (تسمية الأمر: اختيار شريك تجاري) 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 seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your abundant 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 (naming the matter: choosing a business partner) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter - for the present and the future - 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 worldly life, and my hereafter - for the present and the 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (naming the matter: choosing a business partner) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu 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 - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for situations where you are undecided between two or more options, or uncertain about a particular course of action. In this case, it is used when you need to choose a business partner and are unsure which person is the best choice for your venture. It's recommended to perform the Istikhara prayer (two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer) before reciting this dua, ideally when you are in a state of ritual purity and have made your decision as clear as possible, leaving the final choice to Allah (swt).
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After the prayer, recite the Dua al-Istikhara as provided. It is crucial to specifically name the matter you are seeking guidance on – in this instance, 'choosing a business partner' – as indicated in the parenthetical part of the dua. After reciting the dua, you should resolve to accept whatever Allah (swt) makes easy for you. It's a sign from Allah (swt) if you feel a strong inclination towards one option, or if circumstances naturally lead you to one. Sometimes, Allah (swt) might show you a dream, or make your heart feel at ease with a particular choice.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah (swt) for guidance. It teaches humility, acknowledging that our knowledge is limited and only Allah (swt) knows the full scope of future outcomes. By seeking Istikhara, one entrusts their affairs to the Creator, finding peace and contentment regardless of the outcome, knowing that Allah (swt) has chosen what is best. This practice helps prevent regret and fosters reliance on Allah (swt).
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you intends to do a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say (the dua): '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-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu 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 - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih. (Then the Prophet added: 'And he should name his need.')' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)