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 الأَمْرَ - وَتُسَمِّي حَاجَتَكَ - 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 ability through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You decree and I cannot decree, You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and you name your 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 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 that which is 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-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (wa tusammī ḥājataka) khayrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī (aw qāla: fi 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma bārik li fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī (aw qāla: fi 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi), faṣrifhu 'annī, waṣrifnī 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih.
When to Read
When you find yourself deliberating between options concerning your digital presence – whether it's the type of content you share, how you engage online, or even the platforms you use – and you seek Allah's wisdom to guide you toward the best path. This could be before starting a new social media account, deciding to post sensitive information, or considering a particular online endeavor.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer is typically performed after performing Wudu (ablution) and offering two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After the prayer, you recite the prescribed dua, explicitly mentioning the matter you are seeking guidance on in the designated spot (e.g., 'O Allah, if this decision about establishing my online presence...'). It is recommended to do this several times, and then to proceed with what your heart feels inclined towards, trusting that Allah will place ease in that direction if it is good, or prevent it if it is harmful. Focus on the sincerity of your intention and your reliance on Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound act of worship that demonstrates complete reliance on Allah (SWT) for guidance. It assures the believer that they are not making decisions alone but are seeking the wisdom of the One who has knowledge of all things, seen and unseen. By performing Istikhara, one hopes to be guided to the best outcome, whether that means proceeding with a decision or abstaining from it, and to find contentment with whatever Allah ordains. This practice can bring peace of mind and clarity when faced with uncertainty, especially concerning matters that could have long-term implications, like one's digital footprint.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. 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-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī (or he said: fi 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi), faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma bārik li fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī (or he said: fi 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi), faṣrifhu 'annī, waṣrifnī 'anhu, waqdhur li al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bih. (And name your need).' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)