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 (هنا تسمي الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه: اعتناق مجتمع جديد) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek power through Your power, and I ask of Your great 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 (name the matter here: embracing a new community) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – for its coming, and its delaying – 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 end – for its coming, and its delaying – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree 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 (name the matter here: embracing a new community) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurnahu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when you are facing a decision, such as whether to embrace a new community, join a new group, or make a significant life change. It's recited after performing the Istikhara prayer, which involves praying two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer followed by this dua. It is best performed after fajr or 'isha prayers, or at any time when you are able to focus without distraction, preferably at night when one is more likely to be in a state of contemplation.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (nafl). After completing the prayer and saying the salaam, recite the Istikhara dua. It is crucial to clearly identify the specific matter for which you are seeking guidance within the dua (e.g., 'Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna *joining this new community* khairun li...'). Make the intention (niyyah) beforehand. Focus your heart and mind on Allah, seeking His wisdom and direction. It is recommended to repeat the Istikhara for seven days if a clear inclination is not felt.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah that allows us to delegate our choices to Allah, the All-Knowing. By performing Istikhara, we acknowledge our limitations and seek the best outcome that Allah has planned for us, whether it's moving forward with a decision or being protected from potential harm. It brings peace of mind, reduces anxiety about the future, and fosters trust in Allah's divine plan. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice to his companions for all important matters, signifying its importance.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: ‘If any of you intends to do something, 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 khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurnahu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih. And the wording should be: And help me to remember the best, and choose it.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari 6306]