اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - (ويُسَمَّى هَا هُنَا الحَاجَةُ: الشِّفَاءُ مِنْ الصَّدْمَةِ النَّفْسِيَّةِ) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - (الشِّفَاءُ مِنْ الصَّدْمَةِ النَّفْسِيَّةِ) - شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability from 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 – (and here the need is mentioned: healing from psychological trauma) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter – (healing from psychological trauma) – is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, 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 - (wa yusamma ha huna al-hajah: ash-shifa'u min as-sadmah an-nafsiyyah) - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri, faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - (ash-shifa'u min as-sadmah an-nafsiyyah) - sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bihi.
When to Read
This dua is recited when one is contemplating a significant decision that requires seeking Allah's guidance. For healing from trauma, it might be used when considering a specific treatment path, therapy, a change in environment, or any major step towards recovery. It's best recited after performing two units (rak'ahs) of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) when one feels ready to make the decision, ideally when calm and focused, perhaps before sleeping.
How to Read
After performing two rak'ahs of Salat al-Istikhara, you recite this specific dua. It's crucial to clearly identify the matter you are seeking guidance on, in this case, 'healing from psychological trauma.' After reciting the dua, you should resolve to accept whatever Allah wills for you, trusting in His wisdom. Signs may appear in dreams, feelings, or circumstances, but the ultimate aim is contentment with Allah's decree.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to connect with Allah and entrust our decisions to Him. By seeking His guidance, we acknowledge our limitations and His ultimate knowledge and power. This process brings peace of mind, reduces anxiety about making the 'wrong' choice, and instills contentment with His plan. It's a practice that purifies the heart and strengthens one's reliance on the Creator, especially vital when navigating the complex and emotional journey of healing from trauma.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all our concerns, just as he used to teach us a 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra 'khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) faqduruhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bihi.' – And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name his need.'