اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - ثُمَّ تُسَمِّي حَاجَتَكَ: تَرْكُ عَمَلِي هَذَا - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: 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: 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 of 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: leaving my current job – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (or: in 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 livelihood, and my end (or: in 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 pleased 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-amra - thumma tusammī ḥājataka: tarku 'amalī hadha - khayrun lī fī dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi - fapqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīhi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi - faṣrifhu 'annī wasrifnī 'anhu, waqdur līl-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bihi.
When to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the Istikhara prayer as a way to seek Allah's guidance when contemplating a decision. This dua is specifically recited when you are unsure whether to leave your current job. It is recommended to perform Istikhara after performing Wudu (ablution) and offering two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting this dua. It's often advised to do this several times, perhaps before sleeping, and to pay attention to any feelings or signs Allah may send.
How to Read
Recite this dua after the two rak'ahs of prayer. It is crucial to mention your specific need (in this case, leaving your current job) in the designated spot within the dua. Utter sincerity and a sincere heart are essential for this supplication. Do not recite it mechanically; feel the reliance on Allah and the humility of seeking His divine wisdom.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah that allows us to fully submit our affairs to Allah, acknowledging that His knowledge and power far surpass our own. By turning to Allah in this way, we are assured that He will guide us towards what is best, whether it's staying or leaving. It brings peace of mind and reduces anxiety, as the decision is ultimately placed in the hands of the All-Wise.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of 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 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-amra khayrun li fi dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi - fapqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīhi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa ma'īshatī wa 'āqibati amrī - aw qāla: 'ājili amrī wa ājilihi - faṣrifhu 'annī wasrifnī 'anhu, waqdur līl-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma raḍḍinī bihi.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)