اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي الأمر بـ establishing a waqf) 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 الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and ask from Your immense bounty. For 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 (here you name the matter of establishing a waqf) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – in this life and the hereafter – then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – in this life and the hereafter – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'Allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (here you name the matter of establishing a waqf) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdur-hu li, wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrif-hu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li khayra haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are contemplating establishing a waqf (endowment) and are unsure whether it is the best course of action. It should be recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, ideally outside of the obligatory prayer times. The intention of seeking guidance (Istikhara) should be present in your heart.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer with the intention of Istikhara. After the prayer, raise your hands (if possible) and recite the above dua. Clearly mention the specific matter – establishing a waqf – in the designated place within the dua. After reciting the dua, you can make further personal supplications. Then, turn away from the matter and trust Allah. Look for signs in your heart (a sense of inclination or aversion) or in events that unfold. It is recommended to repeat the Istikhara up to seven times if a clear decision isn't reached.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound way to seek Allah's wisdom and guidance when facing a decision, especially one as significant as establishing a waqf which has long-term implications. By turning to Allah, we acknowledge our limitations and His perfect knowledge and power. This act brings immense peace of mind and clarity, ensuring that the decision made is one that aligns with Allah's will, thus bringing blessings and success in this life and the hereafter.
Source & Authentication
The Hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) states: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If any of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah! I seek the best from You by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek strength by virtue of Your power, and I beg of You Your great bounty. For You have the power and I have not. You have knowledge and I have not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah! If in Your knowledge this task (mention the task here) is good for my religion and my temporal life (or he said for this life and the next life), then ordain it for me, make it available to me, and bless me in it. And if in Your knowledge this task is bad for my religion and temporal life (or he said for this life and the next life), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.'" Sahih al-Bukhari 6306. Note: While the Hadith mentions 'this task', in the context of Istikhara for a specific purpose like establishing a waqf, it is understood that the intention and the matter should be explicitly mentioned within the dua, as is common practice and indicated by the structure of the dua itself.