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 (تسمي حاجتك) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي 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 وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask from Your immense grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – (then you should mention your need specifically) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end in my affairs (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 end in my affairs (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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (name your need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khayra haythu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the specific dua recited during the Istikhara prayer. Istikhara, meaning 'seeking the best from Allah', is a supererogatory (nafl) prayer of two rak'ahs followed by this dua. It is recommended when you are faced with a decision and are unsure which path to take, especially for significant matters like choosing a project to pursue, a job, a spouse, or even deciding whether to undertake a particular venture. You perform it when you have the intention to do something and want Allah's guidance in choosing the best course of action.
How to Read
First, perform a two-rak'ah voluntary prayer (nafl). It's best to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah. After completing the prayer and the tasleem (salutation), you then recite this specific dua. It's important to have a sincere intention, to make dua with conviction, and to then leave the outcome to Allah. After reciting the dua, you should endeavor to proceed with the action you felt inclined towards, or step back from the one you felt repelled by. Signs might appear in dreams, or a sense of peace or unease may settle in your heart regarding the decision. Importantly, one should not have made up their mind prior to performing Istikhara.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound act of worship that acknowledges our limitations and places our trust in Allah's perfect knowledge and wisdom. By seeking His guidance, we aim to align our choices with what is truly best for us in this life and the hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer and dua to his companions, showing its importance. It brings tranquility to the heart, eases burdens, and opens doors to blessings we might not have foreseen. It's a way to ensure that our decisions are not solely based on our own limited understanding or desires, but guided by the One who encompasses all knowledge.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a thing, he should perform two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask from Your immense grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and then he mentions his need) is good for me in this life and in the Hereafter (or: is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs), then decree it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs (or: be bad for me in my present and in my future), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me satisfied with it.' And he said: 'At that time, one should mention his need.'