اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (تسمي حاجتك: الانتقال إلى مكان معين) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ 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 with Your knowledge, and Your power with Your might, and I ask of Your boundless 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 (name your need: moving to a specific place) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my final destiny (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 bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my final destiny (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-ghuyub. Allahumma fa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (name your need: moving to a specific place) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdhurhu 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 'annee, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li khayra haithu kan, thumma radini bih.
When to Read
When you are facing a decision about choosing a place to live, and you are unsure which option is best for you. This can be after you have identified potential places and considered their pros and cons, but still feel uncertain and desire Allah's guidance. It's ideal to perform this dua after offering the two rak'ahs of Salatul Istikhara.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer is a two-rak'ah prayer offered specifically for seeking guidance from Allah. After completing the prayer, you recite this dua. It is recommended to name the specific matter you are seeking guidance on (e.g., moving to a particular city or country). Afterwards, you should rely on Allah, and then proceed with the option that your heart feels more inclined towards, or the one that becomes easier for you, without excessive worry. If you still feel confused, repeating the prayer and dua is permissible.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Istikhara is a profound way to entrust your affairs to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this practice so that we may be guided to what is best. It brings immense peace of mind, knowing that you have sought the best outcome from the One who has perfect knowledge and control. It protects you from making decisions based on limited personal perspective or desires that might lead to regret, and instead guides you towards Allah's perfect plan and His blessings.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you thinks about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of something other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah! I seek guidance for You with Your Knowledge, and for You with Your Power, and I beseech You of Your Munificence, for You have Power and I have not, and You have Knowledge and I have not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this matter (and here he names it) 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. Then, if You know that this matter is bad for me, 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.' The narrator added: 'And he (the Prophet ﷺ) said: At that point, you should name your need.'