اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (تسمي الأمر) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ 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 Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of You Your great bounty. For indeed 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 (name the matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my Hereafter – 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 bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my Hereafter – 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 pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (name the matter) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - 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 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when you are faced with a decision, and you are unsure of which path to take. In this context, it's perfect for when you're contemplating how to best integrate the rich heritage of ancient Islamic knowledge into the realities and challenges of modern life. Whether it's a personal endeavor, an academic pursuit, or a community initiative, if you feel a pull towards bridging this gap but are unsure of the best way forward, this is the time to turn to Istikhara. After performing Wudu (ablution), pray two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory ones, and then recite this dua.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves praying two rak'ahs. In the first rak'ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, you can recite Surah Al-Kafirun (Chapter 109). In the second rak'ah, after Al-Fatihah, you can recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After completing the prayer, you recite the specific Istikhara dua as provided above, clearly mentioning the matter you are seeking guidance on (e.g., 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmik... anna hadhal-amr 'al-taqleed al-'ilm al-islami al-qadim fi al-mumarrat al-hadithah...'). It is recommended to say it after the prayer, facing the Qiblah, and with sincere intention. After seeking guidance through prayer and dua, you should trust that Allah will guide you. Signs might include a clear feeling or inclination towards one option, or a dream, but the primary outcome is an ease in your heart towards the right direction.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way to connect with Allah directly, acknowledging His infinite knowledge and power while recognizing our own limitations. It instills a sense of peace and reliance on Allah (Tawakkul), ensuring that whatever decision is made, it is with Allah's blessing. By engaging in Istikhara, we ensure that our choices are aligned with what Allah knows is best for us, safeguarding us from potential regret and guiding us towards success in this life and the next. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer so that Muslims would not undertake important matters without seeking divine counsel, thus fostering contentment and facilitating good outcomes.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surah from the Quran. 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 biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - 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 'aqibati amri - 'ajilihi wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. (And he mentioned the needs of life, i.e. 'in my present and my future')'. (Bukhari)