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 - سَمِّه: (علاجي/صحتي/مرضي) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - سَمِّه: (علاجي/صحتي/مرضي) - 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 of Your immense favour. 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 – name it: (my treatment/my health/my illness) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: 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 – name it: (my treatment/my health/my illness) – is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - sammihi: (ʿilājī/ṣiḥḥatī/maraḍī) - khayrun li fi dīnī wa maʿīshatī wa ʿāqibati amrī - ʿājilihi wa ājilihi - fapqdurhu lī, wa yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - sammihi: (ʿilājī/ṣiḥḥatī/maraḍī) - sharrun lī fi dīnī wa maʿīshatī wa ʿāqibati amrī - ʿājilihi wa ājilihi - fasrifhu ʿannī, wasrifnī ʿanhu, wqdur līl-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you are facing a decision, and in this context, it's about navigating a health crisis. This could be deciding on a particular treatment, whether to undergo a surgery, or even making lifestyle changes related to your health. Recite it after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) when you feel ready to seek Allah's guidance on the path forward regarding your health.
How to Read
First, perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, preferably outside of the disliked times. In the first rak'ah, after Surah Al-Fatihah, recite Surah Al-Kafirun. In the second rak'ah, after Surah Al-Fatihah, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas. After the tasleem (completing the prayer), recite the Istikhara dua above. Clearly mention the specific health-related decision you are seeking guidance on, as indicated by '(my treatment/my health/my illness)'. After reciting the dua, reflect on any feelings or dreams you might have. Trust that Allah will guide you through signs or by inclining your heart towards a certain direction. It's recommended to repeat this process if necessary and to consult knowledgeable people and doctors alongside seeking Allah's guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way to involve Allah in our most crucial decisions. It assures us that we are not alone in facing life's challenges, especially those as significant as a health crisis. By performing Istikhara, we acknowledge Allah's supreme knowledge and power, seeking His wisdom to steer us towards what is best for our dunya and akhirah. It brings immense peace of mind, knowing that we have sought the best guidance, and it helps to remove doubt and anxiety, fostering contentment with Allah's decree, whatever it may be.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, as he taught us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If any one 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 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-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or: 'ajilihi wa ajilihi) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or: 'ajilihi wa ajilihi) fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khayra haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. - 'The Prophet said: 'And he should name his need.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)