اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (تسمي الأمر: تعلم لغة جديدة) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - 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 for Your immense favor. 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 (learning a new language) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – for my present and 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 Hereafter – for my present and future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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 aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (specify the matter: learning a new language) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aa jilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aa jilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bihi.
When to Read
When you feel undecided between learning a specific language or between learning a language at all versus pursuing other endeavors, and you have exhausted your own research and consultations. This is particularly relevant when the choice could significantly impact your future career, studies, or personal development.
How to Read
Perform wudu (ablution) as you would for prayer. Pray two rak'ahs of prayer, with the intention of seeking guidance from Allah (Istikhara). After the prayer, recite the above dua, specifically mentioning the matter of learning a new language where indicated. It is recommended to repeat the dua multiple times if needed. After making the dua, try to put the decision out of your mind and see what Allah shows you – perhaps through a dream, a feeling in your heart, or circumstances that become clear. Do not ask people for their opinion after making Istikhara; rely on Allah's guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that allows us to seek Allah's wisdom and guidance in our affairs. By performing Istikhara for deciding on learning a new language, we are entrusting our choice to the One who knows what is best for us, ensuring that our efforts align with His will for our benefit. This process helps to calm the heart, reduce anxiety over decision-making, and brings clarity and contentment, knowing that whatever unfolds is ultimately for our good, as ordained by Allah.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If any of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah! I seek the best from You by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek strength by virtue of Your power, and I seek of Your bounty, 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 task (mention the task here) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. And if You know that this task is bad for me in this world and in the Hereafter, 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 pleased with it.' He added: 'And one should name the task and then say this (dua).' — Sahih al-Bukhari 1166