اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي الأمر الذي تريد الاستخارة فيه) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: 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 - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power. I ask for Your immense favour, 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 (mention your affair here) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter – or it may be: for my present and future affairs – 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 worldly life, and my hereafter – or it may be: for my present and future affairs – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, 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 aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra (mention your affair here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - or 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - or 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when one is contemplating a significant decision, such as investing in a particular ethical business, and is unsure of the best course of action. It's recommended to perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salah al-Istikhara) before reciting this dua, followed by the supplication itself. You should make a clear intention regarding the specific business investment you are considering before reciting.
How to Read
After performing two rak'ahs of Salah al-Istikhara, facing the Qiblah, and focusing on your intention, you recite this specific dua. It's best to do so with sincerity, humility, and a complete reliance on Allah. After reciting, you should then proceed with your normal activities, trusting that Allah will guide you through signs, dreams, or a sense of clarity and peace regarding the matter. Avoid seeking the outcome immediately; let Allah's plan unfold.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound way to seek Allah's wisdom when faced with choices. By turning to Allah, we acknowledge His supreme knowledge and power, entrusting our affairs to Him. This practice helps alleviate anxiety, brings peace of mind, and ensures that our decisions align with what is best for our dunya and akhirah, as guided by the Most Wise.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two Rak'ah 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 - or 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - or 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)