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 اسم الأمر ) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ - 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 - عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek power from Your might, and I ask You from 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 your matter] – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end- \[or he said] in 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 is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – \[or he said] in my present and future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be, 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyyoon. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - [mention your matter] - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala - 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. 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 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for the prayer of Istikhara, which is performed when one is contemplating a significant decision, such as making a substantial financial investment, and is unsure of the best course of action. It should be recited after performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, ideally outside of disliked prayer times. The intention is to seek Allah's wisdom and direction before committing to the investment.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah or Nafl). 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 prayer, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara dua. Specifically, mention the financial investment you are considering in the place indicated by '[mention your matter]'. It is recommended to repeat the dua and to seek counsel from knowledgeable Muslims as well. After praying and making dua, rest assured and follow what your heart feels inclined towards, trusting that Allah will guide you through signs or peace in your heart. If no clear inclination arises, repeat the process for a few days.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua offer immense benefits. It is a direct way to connect with Allah, the Knower of all secrets, and to entrust your important decisions to Him. By performing Istikhara, you are actively seeking Allah's blessing and wisdom, which can prevent you from making decisions that may seem good in the short term but have detrimental consequences. It fosters reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) and brings peace of mind, regardless of the outcome, knowing that you have sought the best guidance. It is a practice taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to guide all aspects of our lives, including major financial choices.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah of the Quran. 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 fadlika... (The full dua follows as above)... and name the matter'" - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306.