اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه) 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your immense favour. 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 (name the matter here) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter - for its immediate and delayed consequences - 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 worldly life, and my hereafter - for its immediate and delayed consequences - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, 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-ghuyyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (name the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when faced with a decision, particularly when contemplating steps towards healing from trauma. It is recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) when one is uncertain about the right path or decision regarding their healing journey, such as deciding whether to pursue a specific therapy, move to a new environment, or engage in a particular self-care practice. It's meant to be recited when facing a clear decision point where guidance is needed.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara). After the prayer, raise your hands and recite this dua, mentioning the specific matter concerning your healing from trauma in the designated place. It is recommended to repeat the dua seven times. After reciting, reflect on what Allah shows you through dreams or a sense of peace/discomfort regarding the decision. It is also advised to seek counsel from knowledgeable and compassionate people before and after the istikhara.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua offer profound benefits for a Muslim navigating difficult decisions, especially concerning sensitive issues like trauma healing. It reinforces reliance on Allah, the All-Knowing, acknowledging His superior wisdom and power. By performing Istikhara, one actively seeks Allah's direction, which can lead to peace of mind, clarity in decision-making, and a sense of contentment with the outcome, whatever it may be. It protects against making choices based on personal whims or limited understanding, ensuring that the path chosen is aligned with what is ultimately best for the individual in this life and the next.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about some matter, he should observe two Rak'ahs of any (optional) Salat other than the obligatory ones, and then say: O Allah! I seek guidance for You with Your knowledge. I seek ability with Your power. I beg of You Your Bountiful Grace. For You have power, I have no power. You have knowledge, I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah! If in Your knowledge, this matter (and here he should mention his need) is good for me now and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if in Your knowledge, this matter is bad for me in this present time and in the future, 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.' The narrator added: 'He (the Prophet ﷺ) said: And at that point, he (the person seeking guidance) should mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)