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 الأَمْرَ - (تذكر الأمر بقلبك) - 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 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 magnificent grace. 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 – (mention the matter with your heart) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – (or he said: in my present and my future) – then ordain 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 he said: in my present and my future) – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, 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-ghuyoor. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - (mention the matter with your heart) - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for situations where you are unsure about a decision, especially one with significant consequences like navigating a complex family inheritance. It is recommended to recite this dua after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) when you have contemplated the matter and are still seeking divine direction. It's best performed when you are in a state of calmness and clarity, ideally before sleeping or after waking up.
How to Read
First, perform Wudu (ablution). Then, pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara). After completing the prayer, raise your hands (or keep them in your lap if not praying) and recite the Istikhara dua as provided. It is crucial to truly intend the specific matter you are seeking guidance on when you say 'hadhal-amr' (this matter). Focus on the situation concerning the family inheritance. After reciting the dua, put your trust in Allah (Tawakkul) and be open to signs or feelings that Allah may place in your heart, or to clear outcomes.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a profound act of reliance on Allah. By turning to Him, we acknowledge our limitations and His ultimate knowledge and power. This process helps to remove doubt, bring clarity, and ensure that the decision we make aligns with Allah's decree, bringing ease and blessing to the situation. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to guide his Companions in all matters, just as he taught them Surahs from the Quran.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: "If anyone of you is concerned about some 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-ghuyoor. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or he said: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)