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 - ثُمَّ تُسَمِّي حَاجَتَكَ - 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 الأَمْرَ 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 Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek ability with Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. 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 then you mention your need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter [or he said: in 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 my Hereafter [or in my present and my future], then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr [then you mention your need] khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri [or he said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi], faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hatha al-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri [or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi], fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
The practice of Istikhara is performed when one is contemplating a significant decision or facing a choice where they are unsure of the best path. This could be choosing a career path, deciding whether to take on a new project, or, in this specific context, adopting a new ethical framework for personal or professional life. It is recommended to perform this prayer after one has researched and considered the options to the best of their ability, but still feels uncertain about the outcome or the rightness of the choice.
How to Read
Istikhara is a prayer, meaning it should ideally be performed after offering two units (rak'ahs) of voluntary prayer (nafl). After the tasleem of the prayer, you then recite the Istikhara dua. It's crucial to focus your intention on the specific matter you seek guidance for, clearly mentioning it in the dua where indicated by '[then you mention your need]'. For adopting a new ethical framework, you would articulate this concern clearly when reciting the dua. It is also recommended to have a sincere intention and to seek counsel from knowledgeable individuals beforehand if possible.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound way for a believer to submit their affairs to Allah, acknowledging His absolute knowledge and power. By performing it, one seeks Allah's wisdom to guide them towards what is best, thereby avoiding potential regrets and finding peace in the decision made. It instills reliance on the Creator and fosters contentment with His decree. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to show us how to actively seek divine direction in all aspects of life, ensuring our choices align with what is ultimately beneficial and pleasing to Allah.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone wishes to do a certain matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek ability, and from Your great bounty I ask, for indeed You have power and I have not. You have knowledge and I have not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – and then you mention your need – is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter is bad for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.' Jabir added: And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'And he should mention his need.'