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 - [اذكر اسم الأمر هنا] - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله) - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ - [اذكر اسم الأمر هنا] - شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله) - 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 of You Your magnificent grace, 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 - [mention the matter here] - 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 - [mention the matter here] - 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 pleased 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-ghuyood. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - [mention the matter here] - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (wa fi riwayah: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - [mention the matter here] - sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (wa fi riwayah: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are contemplating a significant decision, especially one that impacts the community. For a community project, it could be deciding whether to initiate it, which approach to take, or whether to commit your resources and time to it. It's best recited after performing Wudu (ablution) and praying two rak'ahs of nafl (voluntary) prayer, preferably at night, though its recitation is not strictly limited to that time. Hold the intention of seeking Allah's counsel regarding the specific community project.
How to Read
After completing the two rak'ahs of Salat al-Istikhara, you would recite this dua. It's crucial to genuinely present the matter you are seeking guidance on, by mentioning it specifically where indicated in the text. Focus your heart and mind on Allah, seeking His wisdom and guidance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that after reciting this dua, one should not think about the decision; instead, they should rely on Allah, and signs might appear in the form of a dream, a feeling of clarity, or an ease towards a particular path.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a direct means of seeking Allah's perfect wisdom when our own knowledge and capabilities are limited. It’s a profound act of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). By turning to Allah for guidance on a community project, we invite His blessings, ensuring that our efforts align with what is best for the Ummah and for our own hereafter. It protects us from making decisions based on personal whims or incomplete understanding, leading to more beneficial outcomes, Insha'Allah. Sahih al-Bukhari 1166.
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 a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should observe two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: (The dua follows).'