اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ – خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ – 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 with Your knowledge, and seek power with Your power, and I ask of Your abundant 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 – and name your specific career path decision here – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end result, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end result, 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 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 - fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Recite this dua when you are faced with a significant decision, such as choosing a new career path. It's best recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) in the last part of the night, or at any time you feel focused and prepared to seek Allah's guidance. Before reciting, clearly identify the specific career options you are contemplating.
How to Read
Perform Wudu (ablution). Offer two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara). After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua. It is crucial to personalize the dua by mentioning the specific career decision you are seeking guidance on within the phrase 'hadhal-amra' (this matter). Afterwards, make sincere dua and trust in Allah's plan. You can also recite the specific supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ for Istikhara, which is provided above. It is recommended to do this for about a week.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful sunnah taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to seek Allah's wisdom when faced with a decision. It helps to remove doubt, clarify the heart, and seek the best outcome from the One who knows all things. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized its importance, stating that it is a means of seeking the blessings of Allah in our endeavors and a way to avoid regret.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) taught us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: "O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your abundant grace. For You have power and I have no power, and You have knowledge and I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion and my worldly life, and for my here and hereafter, then decree it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and my worldly life, and for my here and hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it." - Sahih al-Bukhari 1166