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 (وَيُسَمِّي الحَاجَةَ: تَعَلُّمَ لُغَةٍ جَدِيدَةٍ) 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 الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a decision] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask for Your immense favor. 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 (and he names his need: learning a new language) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the Hereafter – or he said: for my present and future affairs – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the Hereafter – or he said: for 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 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-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (and he mentions his need: learning a new language) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khayra haythu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a decision where you are unsure of the best course of action. In this case, it's specifically for deciding whether to embark on learning a new language, or perhaps which specific language to focus on, when you feel you lack the clarity to make the choice on your own. You would typically perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) and then recite this dua.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) in a state of purity. After the prayer, raise your hands (if you feel comfortable doing so) and recite the Istikhara dua. It is crucial to replace the general phrase "this matter" (هَذَا الأَمْرَ) with the specific intention you have, which is 'learning a new language' or naming the specific language you are considering. After reciting the dua, you should make sincere supplication and trust in Allah. The signs of guidance can manifest in various ways: a clear inclination towards one option, a dream, or a feeling of ease or aversion. If clarity doesn't come immediately, repeat the process on subsequent nights.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way for a believer to seek Allah's wisdom and guidance when faced with a dilemma. By performing Istikhara, you acknowledge Allah's knowledge and power, entrusting Him with the outcome of your decision. This act fosters reliance on Allah (tawakkul) and can bring peace of mind, knowing that you have sought the best from the One who knows what is truly best for you. It helps steer you away from potential harm and towards beneficial paths, ensuring your actions align with Allah's pleasure.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin '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 the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek strength, and I ask of Your immense favour; for You have power, and I have no power, and You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion and my livelihood and in the consequences of my affair – or he said: in this world and the next – then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and my livelihood and in the consequences of my affair – or he said: in this world and the next – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.'" – Sahih al-Bukhari 6306