اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - 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. I ask You of Your magnificent grace, for You have power and I have none, and You have knowledge and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your specific family issue here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (in this life and the hereafter), 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 livelihood, and my end, 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 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - faqdhurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Recite this dua when you are facing a significant decision concerning a family matter and are unsure of the best course of action. This could involve significant disagreements, major life decisions affecting family members (like marriage, career moves, financial matters), or resolving deeply rooted conflicts. It is to be recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, ideally at night, before sleeping, or at a time of quiet contemplation.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Sunnah Istikhara). After completing the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua, clearly mentioning the specific family matter you need guidance on in the designated bracketed section. It's recommended to do this with a sincere heart, clear intention, and full trust in Allah's wisdom. After reciting, go about your day as usual. Look for signs in your dreams, inclinations of your heart, or ease/difficulty in proceeding with the matter.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a beautiful way to seek Allah's direct intervention in our affairs. By performing Istikhara, we acknowledge our limitations and dependence on our Creator, seeking His wisdom to guide us to what is best. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer to guide Muslims in all their important decisions, ensuring they align with divine wisdom and lead to good outcomes, both in this life and the Hereafter.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara (prayer for seeking guidance) in all matters as he used to teach us Surahs from the Qur'an. 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-l-'azeem fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allam-ul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-l-amr 'aajiluhu wa aajiluhu khairun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'aajil amri wa aajiluh) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-l-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri (or 'aajil amri wa aajiluh) fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana thumma raddini bih.' 'And he said: 'And he should name (his need) in the latter part of his supplication.' - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306