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 - (ثم تذكر حاجتك: السفر للدراسة في الخارج) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek ability with Your power, and I ask of You Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power, and I have no power; and You know, and I do not know; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – (then mention your need: traveling to study abroad) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or he said: for my present and my 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 he said: for my present and my future), 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 - (then mention your need: traveling to study abroad) - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or he said: 'aajili 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 - (or he said: 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for situations where you are facing a decision and are unsure of the best course of action. Pursuing a degree abroad is a significant life decision with many unknowns, making it a perfect scenario for Istikhara. You would perform Istikhara when you have a clear intention to go but are seeking Allah's confirmation or direction. This typically involves offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer followed by reciting this dua.
How to Read
The practice of Istikhara involves offering two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting the specific dua for Istikhara. It is recommended to make mention of the specific matter you are seeking guidance on within the dua, as indicated by the parenthetical phrase. After reciting the dua, you should go about your day with trust in Allah, observing any signs or feelings He may place in your heart. It is also recommended to consult knowledgeable and righteous individuals for advice before and after performing Istikhara.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah, seeking His wisdom and guidance for all matters, big or small. It instills a sense of reliance on the Creator, acknowledging that His knowledge encompasses all things and His power can bring about the best outcomes. By performing Istikhara, one seeks to align their desires with what Allah knows is best, leading to peace of mind and contentment regardless of the outcome. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this prayer so that we would not embark on important matters without first seeking Allah's divine insight, ensuring our endeavors are blessed and purposeful.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, as he taught us a Surah from the Quran. He said: '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 fadlika al-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or he said: 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (or he said: 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma raddhini bih. ' And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should mention his need.'