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 (تسمي الحاجة 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 الْأَمْرَ 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 Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed 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 (name your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – or he said: for my present and my future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – or he said: for my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good wherever it may be, 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 (name your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih – 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 'aqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Perform Istikhara when you are facing a decision, especially one where you feel conflicted or unsure about the outcome. This can be anything from a personal matter to a professional dilemma, or in this case, navigating a situation where different cultural norms are creating friction. It's best performed after having already gathered information and considered the options logically, but still feeling a need for Divine guidance.
How to Read
Perform Wudu (ablution). Pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua, specifically mentioning the situation you need guidance on. It is recommended to repeat the dua seven times. After making the dua, proceed with your day as usual. The guidance often comes in the form of a clear inclination towards one option, a dream, or a feeling of peace or unease concerning a particular choice.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound act of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). It ensures that you are seeking the best outcome from the One who knows all outcomes. For cultural clashes, this dua helps align your personal choices with Allah's will, ensuring you act with wisdom, patience, and adherence to Islamic principles, even when faced with differing customs or expectations. It's a way to seek Allah's blessing and protection in unfamiliar or challenging social landscapes.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'When anyone among 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 deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih – 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 'aqibati amri – aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. (The translation of the dua is provided above). He said: 'And he should mention his need (or matter)'.