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 (ويسمي الأمر حاجته) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength 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 the matter here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or 'in my present and future affairs' - then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or 'in my present and future affairs' - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - or 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li khayra haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
When you are faced with a decision regarding a new, unexpected opportunity and you are unsure whether to pursue it or not. This applies whether the opportunity is related to career, education, a potential move, a relationship, or any significant life choice where clarity is needed.
How to Read
This dua is part of the Istikhara prayer. It is recommended to perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (nafl) with the intention of seeking guidance (Istikhara). After the prayer, you recite this dua, clearly mentioning the opportunity you are seeking guidance on in the place indicated. It is also recommended to make dua for yourself and mention the specific matter. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised us to repeat the dua if needed and to trust Allah's choice afterward, without expecting a specific dream, but rather looking for ease and clarity in the heart.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful supplication designed to seek Allah's wisdom when one is undecided. By performing Istikhara, you delegate the choice to Allah, the All-Knower, acknowledging His superior knowledge and power. It brings peace to the heart, removes indecision, and opens the door to Allah's perfect plan, which is always for the best for the believer, even if it's not immediately apparent.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us the Istikhara for all matters as he taught us the Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength 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 is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or 'in my present and future affairs' - then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter - or 'in my present and future affairs' - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, and make me content with it.' And the Prophet (ﷺ) added: 'At that time, one should mention his need.'