اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْتَخِيْرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيْمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (تسمي الحاجة: مثل تعلم حرفة جديدة، أو الانخراط في رياضة جديدة) خَيْرٌ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِيْ، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّيْ، وَاصْرِفْنِيْ عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيْ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِيْ بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and Your power through Your might, and I ask of Your great bounty. You have power, and I have no power. You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of all unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – for my present and my future – then ordain 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 Hereafter – for my present and my 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-amra (mention your need here: e.g., learning a new craft, or starting a new sport) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are deliberating on a significant choice, such as deciding whether to pursue a new hobby, learn a new skill, or invest time in a particular interest. It's best performed after you've done some initial research or considered the options, but are still unsure which path to take. Ideally, it's done after performing Wudu (ablution) and offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) before reciting the dua.
How to Read
The Istikhara dua is typically recited after performing the two rak'ahs of Salatul Istikhara. During the prayer, in the second rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah, you can recite Surah Al-Kafirun (109) in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) in the second, or any other preferred surahs. After the tasleem (salutations), you would then recite the Istikhara dua aloud. When you reach the phrase 'hadhal-amra' (this matter), you should verbally mention the specific hobby or interest you are seeking guidance on. It's also recommended to make dua in your own words after reciting the prophetic dua. Following this, you should rest assured, trust in Allah, and act upon what your heart feels inclined towards after seeking guidance and making sincere supplication. Some scholars suggest sleeping in a state of purity to potentially receive a sign in a dream, but this is not a strict requirement.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah, seeking His wisdom for decisions that are beyond our limited human understanding. By performing Istikhara, you are entrusting your affairs to the One who knows all secrets and the ultimate outcomes. It brings peace of mind, reduces anxiety associated with decision-making, and helps steer you away from potential harm or regret. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice to his companions for all important matters, emphasizing its importance in seeking Allah's blessings and guidance in every aspect of life, including personal interests and hobbies.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. 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 task (and here he mentions the task specifically) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this task is bad for me in this world and in the Hereafter, 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 agreeable to it.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name his task specifically.'