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 (هنا تذكر الأمر الذي تريده) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: 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 I seek ability through Your power, and I ask for Your great bounty. For indeed You decree, and I cannot decree; You know, and I do not know; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your matter here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end – or he said: in my present and my future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end – or he said: in my present and 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.
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 (mention your matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Istikhara is performed when you are faced with a decision and are unsure of the best course of action. For a major community impact project, this could be deciding whether to initiate the project, which direction to take, how to allocate resources, or even whether to participate at all. It's best to perform Istikhara after you have gathered as much information as possible about the potential project and have narrowed down your options, but still feel a need for Allah's guidance.
How to Read
Perform Wudu (ablution) as you would for Salah. Recite two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (Sunnah, Nafl). In the first rak'ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, recite Surah Al-Kafirun (Chapter 109). In the second rak'ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After completing the prayer, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara dua provided above, mentioning the specific project or decision you are seeking guidance for in the designated place. It is recommended to repeat the dua three times. Afterward, turn your attention to Allah, trust in His wisdom, and sleep on your right side, if possible, hoping for a sign or a clear feeling. Be open to whatever Allah shows you through dreams, a clear conviction, or circumstances unfolding.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah, acknowledging our limitations and seeking His all-encompassing knowledge and wisdom. By performing Istikhara, we are entrusting our affairs to the One who knows what is best for us, both in this life and the next. It brings peace of mind, helps avoid regret, and ensures that our decisions are aligned with Allah's pleasure, especially when undertaking projects that aim to benefit the community and seek His reward.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should observe two rak'ahs of any non-obligatory prayer, and then say: 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 khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306).