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: تبرع لأي جمعية خيرية) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek power with Your power, and I ask of Your immense grace. For You decree and I cannot decree, and You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – (name your need: donating to a specific charity) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or it could be said: for my present and future affairs), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and grant me blessings in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or it could be said: for 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 pleased 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 (name your need: donating to a specific charity) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur lil-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are faced with a decision and are unsure which path to take, specifically when considering which charity to support. It's ideal to read it after performing the Istikhara prayer, which involves two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer followed by reciting this supplication.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (like Sunnah prayer). After completing the prayer, raise your hands and recite this dua with sincerity and conviction. When you reach the phrase '(name your need)', clearly state your intention – for example, 'donating to Charity X versus Charity Y' or 'supporting this specific charitable project'. Then, proceed with the rest of the dua. It is recommended to repeat this process for a few days if needed, and then to act upon the feeling or inclination that arises, trusting in Allah's guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound means of seeking Allah's direct guidance when facing a dilemma. By turning to Allah with this supplication, we acknowledge His infinite knowledge and power, entrusting our decision-making to Him. This practice brings peace of mind, reduces anxiety, and ensures that our choices are aligned with what is best for our worldly and religious well-being, as guided by the Almighty. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to the Companions for all matters, big or small.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us a Surah from the Qur'an. He would say: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and seek power with Your power, and ask of Your immense grace, for You have power and I have no power, and 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 here he mentions his need) 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 matter is bad for me, 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 satisfied with it.' The narrator added: 'And he would say (instead of mentioning his need): '…and here he mentions his need.'