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 (يُسَمَّى هُنَا حَاجَتَكَ) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ 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 of Your immense grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (name your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – in its immediate and delayed consequences – then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – in its immediate and delayed consequences – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, wherever it may be, 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 ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra (wa tasmī huna ḥājatuka) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, faqdura-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, fasrifhu 'annee wa sarifnee 'anhu, waqdurlil khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us the prayer of Istikhara to seek Allah’s guidance when we are contemplating a decision. This includes major life choices like marriage, career moves, and, importantly for us, significant financial decisions such as investing in a particular business. If you've researched a business and believe it aligns with Islamic principles but still feel uncertain, or if you're weighing different ethical investment options, this is the time to turn to Istikhara. Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, followed by this dua, in a state of wudu, preferably at night.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (nafl). After finishing the prayer, raise your hands (if you wish) and recite this specific dua. It’s crucial to name the specific decision you are seeking guidance on within the dua (as indicated by 'this matter'). The dua asks Allah to show you the best path based on His knowledge. Following the dua, you should go about your business with conviction, and Allah may guide you through dreams, a sense of peace or unease in your heart regarding the matter, or through subsequent events.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful means of connecting with Allah directly for His wisdom. It instills trust in His plan (tawakkul), alleviates anxiety, and ensures that our decisions are aligned with what is ultimately best for us, even if we cannot see it ourselves. By seeking this guidance, we acknowledge our limitations and place our reliance on the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Creator. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'None of you truly believes until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.' Sahih al-Bukhari 13. This spirit of seeking good applies to our own decisions through Istikhara.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surah of the Qur'an. He would say: '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 bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal 'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, faqdura-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, fasrifhu 'annee wa sarifnee 'anhu, waqdurlil khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhini bih. (Then name your need in its place).' Sahih al-Bukhari 6306