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 - ثُمَّ تُسَمِّي حَاجَتَكَ - 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 Your guidance [through Your knowledge] and seek ability [to do what is best] through Your power, and I ask from Your immense grace. For 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 – and then you name your need – is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my Hereafter (or 'in my present and future affairs'), 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 worldly life, and my Hereafter (or 'in my present and future affairs'), 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-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr [then name your need] khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqdurnee lee, wa yassirhu lee, thumma barik lee feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when one needs to make a decision about a matter that is permissible (mubah) and carries significant weight, particularly when seeking a path for spiritual growth. This could involve deciding on a new course of study, a career path that aligns with your values, a marriage proposal, or a change in lifestyle that you believe will bring you closer to Allah. It's best performed after praying two units (rak'ahs) of non-obligatory prayer, ideally outside of the disliked prayer times.
How to Read
The 'Istikhara' prayer is a specific two-rak'ah prayer, followed by this dua. After completing the prayer, you raise your hands and recite the dua with sincerity and a receptive heart. It's crucial to name your specific need within the dua where indicated. After reciting the dua, reflect on any feelings, dreams, or signs that Allah may present to you, and be prepared to act upon what feels right, trusting in Allah's wisdom. You can repeat the prayer and dua for a few days if a clear inclination doesn't emerge immediately.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to seek Allah's wisdom and guidance when faced with a decision. It helps to clarify one's heart, remove confusion, and ensure that the chosen path is aligned with Allah's pleasure and leads to positive outcomes in this life and the next. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer to his companions just as he taught them chapters from the Quran, highlighting its importance in seeking divine counsel for all matters. By turning to Allah in this way, we acknowledge our limitations and His perfect knowledge and power, fostering trust and contentment.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all affairs of life as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If any of you intends to do an affair, let him pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek ability from Your power, and I ask from Your immense favour. For You have power, and I have no power; You have knowledge and I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this affair – and then name your need – is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this affair is evil for me, 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 content with it.' He added: 'And one should name his need.' Sahih al-Bukhari 6306.