اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي 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: فِي 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 I seek strength through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter you are seeking guidance on) 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 evil for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter - or he said: in my present and my future - 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 fa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter you are seeking guidance on) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aa jili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aa jili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited as part of the Istikhara prayer, which is performed when one is undecided about a significant matter. In the context of countering destructive narratives, this could involve deciding whether to engage with a particular online platform, respond to a misleading comment, share a refutation, or even how to best educate oneself or others about a false ideology. It's crucial to perform Istikhara with sincerity and a clear intention regarding the specific decision you need guidance on.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting this specific dua. It is recommended to recite this dua after the prayer, with the intention clearly in your heart. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his companions, emphasizing its importance for seeking Allah's wisdom in all affairs. After reciting the dua, one should focus on their heart for a sign or inclination towards one option or the other, and proceed with what feels right after supplicating sincerely.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a powerful Sunnah practice that allows a believer to submit their decision-making to Allah, acknowledging His infinite knowledge and wisdom. By performing Istikhara, you are entrusting your affairs to the One who knows best, seeking His blessing and protection from potential harm. It helps to bring clarity and peace of mind, regardless of the outcome, as you know you have sought the best guidance. For countering destructive narratives, Istikhara can help you discern the wisest and most beneficial approach, ensuring your actions are pleasing to Allah and effective in seeking truth.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all affairs as he used to teach us the Surah from the Quran. He said: "If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform a two rak'ah prayer other than the obligatory prayer and then say: 'O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek strength, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power but I have no power, and You have knowledge but I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [then he mentions his 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 evil 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 the good wherever it may be and make me content with it.'" He added: 'And he said: 'And one should convey his need (in the actual sentence of the dua).'