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 (اذكر حاجتك هنا) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله - 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 of Your immense favour. 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 need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair - or in another narration: 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 the end of my affair - or in another narration: 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 satisfied 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 (mention your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a significant decision, such as purchasing a car, a valuable piece of furniture, or any major item that isn't a house (as specific duas exist for house purchases). You perform two rak'ahs of prayer (Salatul Istikhara) followed by reciting this dua, ideally after presenting your specific need within the dua. It's best done when you're in a state of calm and clarity, not when feeling rushed or pressured.
How to Read
First, perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha and any other surah you wish in each rak'ah. After the Tasleem (the final greeting), you raise your hands and recite the Istikhara dua as provided above. Ensure you clearly state the specific purchase you are contemplating in the designated spot ('hadhal-amr'). It's recommended to repeat the dua three times. After making dua, rely on Allah (SWT) and take the course of action that feels most natural and at peace in your heart, or seek further counsel if needed.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah (SWT) when making important decisions. It's about acknowledging our own limitations in knowledge and wisdom, and entrusting the outcome to the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice so that we might be guided towards what is best, whether that means proceeding with the decision or being diverted from it, ultimately leading us to contentment with Allah's decree.
Source & Authentication
Jabir ibn Abdullah (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 a Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone 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 aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or) fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or) fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih. (The narrator of the Hadith is unsure whether it was 'aajilihi or 'aaqibati amri)."