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 – – 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 with Your knowledge, and I seek Your power with Your might, and I ask of Your great bounty. 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 – [mention your endeavor 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. And if You know that this matter – [mention your endeavor here] – 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 the good wherever it may be, 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr - [mention your endeavor here] - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr - [mention your endeavor here] - sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi), fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khayra haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a significant decision, especially one with broad implications like a major humanitarian endeavor. It's crucial when you've considered the options, sought advice, and are still uncertain about the best path forward. Perform Istikhara before embarking on major projects, significant life changes, or any decision where the outcome is unclear and could have far-reaching consequences.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the Companions the Istikhara prayer just as he taught them a Surah from the Quran. The practice involves performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, followed by reciting this specific dua. In the dua, you should clearly mention the endeavor you are seeking guidance for in the designated spots. After the prayer and dua, you should sleep in a state of ritual purity, hoping for a clear sign through dreams or a sense of conviction in your heart. It is recommended to repeat this process for a few days if a clear answer isn't received immediately.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a direct supplication to Allah for divine guidance. By engaging in this prayer, you acknowledge Allah's omniscience and power, seeking His wisdom to choose the path that is best for your worldly and spiritual well-being. It brings peace to the heart, frees you from the burden of decision-making, and instills contentment with whatever Allah decrees. This practice is a profound act of reliance (tawakkul) on Allah, ensuring your endeavors are aligned with His divine plan.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah of the Quran. He would say: 'When one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr - [mention your endeavor here] - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr - [mention your endeavor here] - sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi), fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khayra haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)