اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (ثم تسمي حاجتك: "تولّي مسؤولية العائلة" أو "قبول منصب قيادي") 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 with Your knowledge, and I seek ability with Your power, and I ask for 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 (then name your need: 'taking on family responsibilities' or 'accepting a leadership position') is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end state – or he said: in my present and future – 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 livelihood, and my end state – or he said: in my present and 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 satisfied 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-amr (then name your need: 'taking on family responsibilities' or 'accepting a leadership position') khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - faqdurnahu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for the Istikhara prayer. When you are faced with a significant decision, especially one involving taking on new or weighty responsibilities like managing family affairs, a leadership role, or any major undertaking where you feel uncertain about the best path forward, this dua is recited. It should be performed after you have done your research and considered the options, but still feel the need for Allah's direct guidance.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer, followed by reciting this specific dua. It is recommended to make your intention clear when you say the phrase 'hadhal-amr' (this matter), specifying the responsibility you are seeking guidance on. After reciting the dua, you should sleep, ideally on a state of purity, hoping to see a sign in a dream. If no clear sign appears, you are encouraged to repeat the Istikhara prayer and dua for a few days. Trust that Allah will guide you, often through making the right path feel more appealing or by removing obstacles from it.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way for a believer to connect with Allah for guidance, acknowledging His perfect knowledge and power. By performing Istikhara, one seeks to avoid regret, as they are entrusting their affairs to the One who knows the outcome of all things. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice so that Muslims would not be left to their own limited understanding when making crucial life decisions, ensuring that their choices align with what is best for them in this life and the hereafter. It brings peace of mind and contentment, knowing that you have sought the best from the Creator.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all affairs of life as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone wants to do Istikhara in any matter of importance, let him pray two rak'ahs of a non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and power from You, and I ask for Your great bounty. For You can do all things but I cannot, and You know all things but I cannot know. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task (then he mentions the task) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this task is evil for me in this world and in the Hereafter, 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 satisfied with it.' And the Prophet (ﷺ) added: 'At that time, one should mention the matter he wants to do.' Sahih al-Bukhari 1166