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 - سَمِّ الْحَاجَةَ - 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 Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask for Your great bounty. For You decree and I have no power, You know and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – then mention the need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and for [my] end in this world and [the Hereafter] – or he said: in my present and future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood and for [my] end in this world and [the Hereafter] – or he said: in my present and future – 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 - sammil-hajah - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aaajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the specific dua recited when performing the prayer of Istikhara, seeking Allah's guidance on a decision. In the context of grief and loss, it is used when contemplating a specific course of action that might help in processing the loss, moving forward, or making significant life changes following a bereavement. For instance, you might use it when considering a job change, a move to a new city, or even whether to engage in certain activities that you feel might help or hinder your healing process.
How to Read
The prayer of Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory prayers. After the Tashahhud, you recite this dua. It's recommended to make the intention for the specific matter you need guidance on, mentioning it clearly in the place indicated in the dua ("hathal-amra - sammil-hajah"). After reciting the dua, you go to sleep, hoping to see a sign in a dream. If no clear sign appears, you then make a decision based on what feels right in your heart, trusting Allah's guidance. It's a prayer of seeking counsel from the All-Knowing.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a profound way to seek Allah's wisdom when faced with uncertainty. For those experiencing grief and loss, the emotional turmoil can cloud judgment. By turning to Allah through Istikhara, we acknowledge our limitations and His complete knowledge. This prayer doesn't just aim for a specific outcome, but for Allah's decree to be good for us, whether it's the path we initially thought of or something entirely different. It brings peace by submitting to the divine plan, fostering contentment (رضى - Rida) and acceptance, which are crucial in navigating the depths of sorrow.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory ones and then say: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and ask of Your great bounty. For You decree and I have no power, You know and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – then mention the need – is good for me in my religion and livelihood and for [my] end in this world and [the Hereafter] – or he said: in my present and future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion and livelihood and for [my] end in this world and [the Hereafter] – or he said: in my present and future – 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.' And the Prophet (ﷺ) added: 'At that time, one should mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)