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 اسم الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه) 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 through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your immense bounty. For 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 the matter here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – or he said: in my present and my future – then ordain 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 my end – or he said: in my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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-ghuyood. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdurnee 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 - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are faced with a significant decision, such as starting a new business venture, and you feel uncertain about the best course of action. It is best performed after performing Wudu (ablution) and praying two rak'ahs of Salat al-Istikhara, preferably at night when one is more likely to be in a state of clarity and focus. The intention should be to seek Allah's wisdom and guidance in making the choice.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer consists of two rak'ahs. In the first rak'ah, one recites Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Kafirun. In the second rak'ah, one recites Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas. After the tasleem (salutation), you then recite the Istikhara dua, specifically mentioning the business venture you are contemplating. It's recommended to repeat the dua three times. After reciting the dua, you should go to sleep in a state of purity, hoping to receive a sign in a dream, or feel a sense of inclination or clarity in your heart when you wake up.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound act of reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). By performing it, you acknowledge Allah's omniscience and omnipotence, entrusting your decision to the One who knows what is best for you. This practice can bring peace of mind, clarity, and a sense of contentment, regardless of the outcome, as you know you have sought the best counsel from your Creator.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance in that much of what is within Your knowledge. I seek ability through Your power and the ability to fulfill what is destined for me. I ask of Your immense bounty. For You have power and I have no power, You have knowledge and I have no knowledge, You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion and my worldly life and a good end for me in this world and the hereafter, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and my worldly life and an evil end for me in this world and the hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and decree for me what is good wherever it may be and make me content with it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)