اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ – 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 الْأَمْرَ 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 through Your knowledge, and Your power through Your might, and I ask from Your immense grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – and then name your need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affair (or: 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 the outcome of my affair (or: in my present and future), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (then name your need), khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Perform Istikhara when you are facing a decision, especially one that involves countering harmful or misleading ideologies, narratives, or influences. This could be about engaging in debates, choosing how to respond to misinformation, or deciding on the best way to spread truth. It's ideally performed after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer and before sleeping, but can be performed at other times when you feel the need for clear guidance from Allah.
How to Read
After praying two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (preferably not during disliked times like after Fajr or Asr until sunset, or after Asr until sunset), recite the Istikhara dua. Make sure to clearly state the specific matter you are seeking guidance on within the dua itself, as indicated by 'thumma tasmi hajataka' (then name your need). Focus your heart and mind on Allah, seeking His wisdom and will. The process is about seeking Allah's direction, and the response can come in various forms: a clear inclination in your heart, a dream, or events unfolding in a particular way.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah and seek His wisdom when we lack it. By performing Istikhara, we acknowledge our own limitations and surrender our affairs to the One who knows best. It brings tranquility to the heart, removes confusion, and ensures that whatever outcome occurs, it is what Allah has decreed to be best for us, leading to contentment and satisfaction.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the Companions the Istikhara dua in all matters, just as he taught them Surahs from the Quran. He said: 'If any one of you is concerned about some 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.' (O Allah, I seek guidance from You by Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek strength, and I ask of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. You know all, I know not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the hereafter - or he said: for my present and future - then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this task is evil for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the hereafter - or he said: for my present and 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 content with it.)