اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّى أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ (ويُسَمِّى حَاجَتَهُ) خَيْرٌ لِّى فِى دِينِى وَمَعِيشَتِى وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِى (أَوْ قَالَ: فِى عَاجِلِ أَمْرِى وَآجِلِهِ)، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِى، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِى، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِى فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّى فِى دِينِى وَمَعِيشَتِى وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِى (أَوْ قَالَ: فِى عَاجِلِ أَمْرِى وَآجِلِهِ)، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّى وَاصْرِفْنِى عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِى الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِى بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power, and I have no power; and 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 he specifies his 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 he said: in my present and my future), 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.
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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (wa yusammī ḥājatahu) khayrun liy fī deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qāla: fī 'aaajili amri wa aajilih), faqdurhu liy, wa yassirhu liy, thumma barik liy fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun liy fī deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qāla: fī 'aaajili amri wa aajilih), fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are faced with a significant decision and are unsure of which path to take. It's meant for matters where you need divine insight, allowing Allah to guide you towards what is best, respecting His perfect timing for all affairs. You would typically perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting this supplication.
How to Read
After performing two rak'ahs of Salat al-Istikhara (a prayer for guidance), you recite this comprehensive dua. It's important to be focused and sincere, truly seeking Allah's will. Mention your specific need or matter where you would normally say 'this matter'. The emphasis is on surrendering the decision-making to Allah, trusting that He knows what is truly best for you, even if it's not immediately apparent.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah's wisdom. By seeking His guidance, we acknowledge our limitations and His supreme knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer so that we may not undertake important decisions without seeking Allah's counsel, fostering reliance on Him and aligning our choices with His perfect plan and divine timing.
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 the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun liy fī deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qāla: fī 'aaajili amri wa aajilih), faqdurhu liy, wa yassirhu liy, thumma barik liy fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun liy fī deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qāla: fī 'aaajili amri wa aajilih), fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih. (And he mentioned his need.) - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306