اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - سَمِّ الْحَاجَةَ - 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 guidance from Your knowledge and seek power from Your might, and I ask for Your magnificent bounty. For indeed You know, and I do not know. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – mention the specific need here, e.g., ‘performing Hajj this year’ – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or: in my present and future), 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 affairs (or: in my present and future), 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 astakheeruka 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 - sammil-hajah - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited specifically when you are faced with a significant decision where you are unsure of the best path forward, and it is permissible to perform Istikhara for. For a major religious pilgrimage like Hajj or Umrah, if you are unsure about the timing, the specific travel arrangements, the financial implications, or even if it's the right time for you personally due to other commitments, this dua is highly appropriate. It's best recited after performing Wudu, offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (not the obligatory prayers), and then reciting the dua, ideally after the Tasleem (salutation) of the prayer, or before it if that is easier.
How to Read
First, perform Wudu (ablution). Then, offer two Rak'ahs of Nafl (voluntary) prayer. It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second Rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah. After completing the prayer and saying the Tasleem, raise your hands (if you wish, as the Prophet ﷺ sometimes did not) and recite the Istikhara dua. Clearly mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance on within the blank space provided in the dua ('hathal-amr' – this matter). For example, you might say, 'Allahumma in kunta ta'lam anna *al-safar li al-hajj hadhihi al-sanah* khayrun li...' (O Allah, if You know that *my travel for Hajj this year* is good for me...). Aim to have a sincere heart, clear intention, and full reliance on Allah's wisdom. After reciting the dua, trust in Allah's plan; you may feel inclined towards a particular decision, or Allah may guide you through dreams, ease in undertaking one path, or obstacles in another. It is important not to have a fixed outcome in mind before making the dua.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara, or seeking Allah's guidance, is a beautiful supplication that acknowledges our own limitations and Allah's perfect knowledge and power. When seeking guidance for a significant pilgrimage like Hajj, it helps to ensure that your decision aligns with Allah's will, bringing barakah (blessing) to your journey and your intention. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer so that we wouldn't make decisions based solely on our desires or limited understanding, but rather seek the best outcome that Allah has decreed for us. It brings peace of mind and contentment, regardless of the outcome, because you know you've sought guidance from the Best of Planners.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 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 intends to do something, he should offer two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ 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. And mention your need (i.e., the thing you want to do) and say: ... (The dua continues as mentioned above). (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)