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 immense bounty. For indeed You decree, and I do not decree, and 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 you name your need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: 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 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr – thumma tusammī ḥājataka – khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala: 'ājili amri wa ājilihi) – faqdurhu 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 (aw qala: 'ājili amri wa ājilihi) – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira ḥaithu kana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when one is contemplating a significant decision and is unsure of the best course of action, particularly when seeking to align one's life with sustainable Islamic principles. This could include choices about career, studies, relationships, or major life changes that impact one's ability to live an Islamically conscious and environmentally responsible life.
How to Read
The practice of Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (preferably not during the times when voluntary prayers are disliked). After the prayer, one recites this dua, clearly mentioning the specific matter for which guidance is sought. It is recommended to make Istikhara repeatedly, up to seven times, and to remain open to signs and feelings that Allah may place in one's heart. The intention should be sincere, and one should resolve to accept whatever outcome Allah decrees.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah that allows us to seek divine wisdom for our decisions, trusting that Allah has the best plan for us. By engaging in Istikhara, we acknowledge our limitations and seek the Creator's perfect knowledge, ensuring our choices are aligned with His pleasure and lead to good in this life and the next. It brings peace of mind and contentment, regardless of the outcome, as we know we have sought the best guidance possible.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all affairs, just as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek ability, and I ask of Your grace, for indeed You have power, but I have no power, and You know, but I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for me in my religion and in my worldly life and in the Hereafter – or he said: in my present and future life – then decree it for me and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this task is evil for me in my religion and in my worldly life and in the Hereafter – or he said: in my present and future life – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.' Jabir said: 'And he (the Prophet ﷺ) said: 'Then he should name his need.'