اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (وَيُسَمَّى حَاجَتَهُ) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ 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 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 (then he names his need) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter, and my present and future consequences - then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my final consequences - and in my present and future consequences - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good wherever it may be, 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-amr (wa yusamma hajatah) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited after performing the Istikhara prayer, which is a two-rak'ah prayer followed by this supplication. It is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when faced with a decision, especially a significant one like choosing a medical treatment. You would perform this prayer and recite this dua when you have considered the options and feel uncertain about which path is best, seeking Allah's wisdom to illuminate the right choice.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of prayer with the intention of Istikhara. After completing the prayer, raise your hands (if possible) and recite the above dua, clearly stating the matter you are seeking guidance on in the place of '(wa yusamma hajatah)'. It is recommended to recite it with sincerity, focus, and a humble heart, trusting in Allah's plan. It's also advised to repeat the prayer and dua if necessary, and to be open to the signs Allah may show you in your dreams or through clear inclinations.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to help Muslims navigate difficult decisions. It is a way of acknowledging our own limitations in knowledge and foresight, and entrusting our affairs to the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator. By seeking Istikhara for a medical treatment, we are asking Allah to guide us to the path that is most beneficial for our health, faith, and overall well-being, ensuring that the chosen treatment aligns with His divine wisdom.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surah from the Qur'an. He used to say: '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-amr (then he names his need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kan, thumma radhdhini bih.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)