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 حاجتك هنا: مثلاً: سداد الدين) 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 الْأَمْرَ 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability from Your power, and I ask from Your immense bounty. For indeed, 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 your need here: e.g., repaying debt) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and for my Hereafter - 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 for my Hereafter - 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 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-ghuyyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your need here, e.g., repaying debt) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This Istikhara dua is recited when you are contemplating a specific decision and are unsure of the best course of action, such as devising a repayment plan for debt. It's best recited after performing a two-rak'ah voluntary prayer, ideally outside of disliked prayer times. After completing the prayer, face the Qiblah, remain in a state of purity, and recite the dua, clearly intending the specific matter of the debt repayment plan.
How to Read
Perform a two-rak'ah voluntary prayer (Nafl Salah). After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua. Clearly state your intention (your need) in the place indicated in the dua, focusing on your specific situation regarding the debt repayment. It is important to have a sincere heart and full reliance on Allah. After reciting, do not try to force a specific outcome. Trust that Allah will guide you through signs in your dreams, feelings, or by making circumstances clear.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah practice taught by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to seek Allah's guidance in all matters. It instills trust in Allah's wisdom and plan, and brings peace to the heart by relieving the burden of decision-making. By turning to Allah, we acknowledge His knowledge and power, ensuring that our choices align with what is best for us in this life and the next.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all the things, just as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about some matter he should observe two prayers of non-obligatory prayer (Nafl) and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability from Your power, and I ask from Your immense favour. For You have power and I have none. And You have knowledge and I know not. And You are the great Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for me in my religion and world livelihood and (good) for my hereafter - or he said: (for) my present and future - then ordain it for me. And if You know that this task is bad for me, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and choose for me that which is good.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)