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 (تسمي الأمر) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَلَطٌ خَيْرٌ وَشَرٌّ، فَخَيِّرْنِي. اللَّهُمَّ اعْلَمْ لِي الْعَاقِبَةَ.
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 (name the matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs – or he said: 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 the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future affairs – 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 satisfied with it. And if You know that this matter is a mixture of good and evil, then give me the choice.
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 (name the matter) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khayra haythu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khalitun khayrun wa sharrun, fakhayyinni. Allahumma 'allim li 'l-'aaqibah.
When to Read
This dua is for when you are facing a significant decision, especially one that involves navigating complex relationships within your family during a time of crisis. It's meant to be recited after you've made up your mind to perform the Istikhara prayer, which involves praying two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer followed by reciting this supplication.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After completing the prayer, raise your hands (or keep them in your lap, as some scholars suggest) and recite the Istikhara dua. It's crucial to clearly name the specific matter you need guidance on within the blank space indicated in the dua. The essence of Istikhara is seeking Allah's knowledge and wisdom to guide you towards the best outcome, so recite it with sincerity and a hopeful heart.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound way to connect with Allah and seek His divine insight when faced with uncertainty. It helps to alleviate the burden of decision-making, trusting that Allah, the Knower of the unseen, will guide you towards what is truly best. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice so that we, as believers, would not feel lost or overwhelmed when making important choices. It fosters reliance on Allah and brings peace of mind, knowing that the ultimate decision rests with the One who has perfect knowledge of all outcomes.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surah from 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 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'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khayra haythu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khalitun khayrun wa sharrun, fakhayyinni. Allahumma 'allim li 'l-'aaqibah.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)