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 الْأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر أو سمِّه) 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 الْأَمْرَ 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 guidance from Your knowledge and seek ability from Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For You have power, and I do not have power; You have knowledge, and I do not have knowledge; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter or name it) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and the end of my affairs – or he said: in my present and my future – then ordain 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 the end of my affairs – or he said: in my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter or name it) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurnahu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
When you are facing a decision concerning your healing journey from trauma and are unsure of the best path forward. This could involve decisions about therapy, treatment options, seeking support, or making significant life changes that you believe will aid your recovery. The essence of Istikhara is to seek Allah's wisdom when your own knowledge is insufficient.
How to Read
It is recommended to perform Wudu (ablution) and pray two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer before reciting this dua. After the prayer, recite the dua, mentally or verbally inserting the specific decision you are seeking guidance on in the place indicated. It is advised to repeat this process for seven days if possible, and then to act upon what your heart feels inclined towards, or what becomes clear to you through dreams, circumstances, or a sense of peace.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound way to connect with Allah's infinite knowledge and wisdom. By seeking His guidance, we acknowledge our limitations and surrender the outcome to Him. This practice can bring immense peace of mind, clarity, and strength, particularly when navigating the complex and often overwhelming process of healing from trauma. It helps to alleviate anxiety about making the 'wrong' choice, as we trust that Allah will guide us to what is ultimately best for us, even if it's not immediately apparent. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his companions for all matters, indicating its universal applicability and importance in seeking divine direction.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara (prayer for guidance) in all matters as he taught us Surahs from the Qur'an. He would say: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two Rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: 'O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and ability from Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For 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 is good for me in my religion and in my worldly life and in the end of my affairs, then decree it for me, and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion and in my worldly life and in the end of my affairs, 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.' And the Prophet (ﷺ) added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)