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 (اذكر الأمر بقلبك) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and ask of Your immense 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 in your heart) is good for me in my religion, my life, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future affairs – then ordain 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 life, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future affairs – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter in your heart) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi – fapqur-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi – fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when facing a significant decision, especially one that feels difficult or has far-reaching implications. For parenting decisions, this could be anything from choosing a school, deciding on a major disciplinary approach, considering a significant move, or making a choice about a child's health or education where multiple paths seem possible and the right one isn't clear.
How to Read
The Sunnah for Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory prayers, followed by reciting this specific dua. After the prayer and dua, one should reflect on any inclinations or feelings that arise. It's about seeking clarity and peace, trusting that Allah will guide you through dreams, a feeling in your heart, or by making one option naturally easier to pursue. It is crucial to make the specific decision you are seeking guidance on clear in your heart while reciting the dua.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to entrust our affairs to Allah, acknowledging our limitations and His infinite knowledge and power. It brings peace of mind, knowing that you have sought the best guidance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this for every important matter, and by performing it, we affirm our reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) and seek His blessing (Barakah) in our decisions, which can lead to positive outcomes for ourselves and our families.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught the Surah 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 fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi – fapqur-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi – fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih. (The narrator added): And he mentioned the worldly need in his supplication.