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 - [اذكر اسم الأمر هنا] - 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask from Your immense bounty. For indeed You have power, and I have no power; You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge; You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – [mention your matter here] – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (or: in my present and future affairs), 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 end (or: in my present and future affairs), 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-'adhim. 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 your matter here] - khayrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqd_ur_hu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqd_ur_ li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma rad_dini bih.
When to Read
This is the specific dua recited during the Istikhara prayer. Istikhara is a prayer performed when one is contemplating a significant decision or undertaking and seeks Allah's guidance. For integrating ancient Islamic knowledge into modern practice, this dua is ideal when you are at a crossroads regarding how to best apply classical texts, scholarly opinions, or historical practices to contemporary challenges, whether it's in your personal life, your community, or your profession.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer is typically performed in two stages: First, offer two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (nafl). This prayer is not the obligatory ones. After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua. It is crucial to mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance on in the designated place within the dua. After reciting the dua, it is recommended to sleep in a state of purity, hoping for a sign or clear inclination from Allah in your dreams. If no clear inclination arises, repeat the prayer and dua for a few days. Importantly, Istikhara is about seeking Allah's will, not about forcing a particular outcome. After performing Istikhara, whatever you feel more inclined towards, proceed with it, trusting that Allah has guided you. Do not let pre-conceived notions sway your decision before the prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a Sunnah practice taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to guide Muslims when faced with uncertainty. It is a profound way of acknowledging Allah's omniscience and omnipotence, placing trust in His wisdom over our limited understanding. By performing Istikhara, we seek Allah's blessing (barakah) in our decisions and His protection from potential harm. It brings peace of mind, clarity, and contentment, knowing that our choices align with Allah's plan, thereby averting regret.
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 matters as he taught us the Surah from the Quran. He would say: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For You has power, while I have no power. You have knowledge, while I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task 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 then bless it for me. And if You know that this task is bad 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 the good wherever it may be and make me satisfied with it.' He added: 'He should then mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)