اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي الأمر الذي تريده) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a decision] with Your knowledge, and I seek ability [to do something] with Your power, and I ask for Your great bounty. For indeed You have power and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the specific matter here) is good for me in my religion, my life, 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. But if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my life, 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 the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoom. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra shar-run li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the well-known dua for Istikhara, which means seeking guidance from Allah when facing a decision. While the specific wording is general, the *intention* is crucial. If you are grappling with decisions related to family dynamics, healing from past traumas, or navigating complex intergenerational patterns, and you feel stuck or unsure of the best path forward, you can perform Istikhara. This involves praying two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then reciting this dua, focusing your heart on the specific issue you need guidance on. Remember to clearly articulate the decision you're seeking clarity on when you reach the part of the dua that says 'hadhal-amra' (this matter).
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves praying two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (not the obligatory ones). After the Tashahhud, you recite this specific dua. It's recommended to intend this prayer and dua when you are genuinely seeking Allah's guidance and have not yet made a firm decision. After reciting the dua, reflect on your feelings and any signs or clarity that Allah may grant you. It's not about seeing a dream, but rather a feeling of ease towards one option or discomfort towards another, or clear thoughts that arise. Make sure you are in a state of purity (wudu) and facing the Qiblah. Recite it with sincerity and full reliance on Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a direct way to connect with Allah for His wisdom and help in decision-making. By seeking His guidance, you acknowledge that He knows what is best, and His plan is superior to anything we could devise. This dua helps to detach our hearts from our own desires or anxieties, aligning our choices with Allah's pleasure. When dealing with sensitive and deeply rooted issues like intergenerational trauma, seeking Allah's wisdom through Istikhara can bring immense peace and clarity, helping you to make choices that foster healing and positive growth for yourself and your family, insha'Allah.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 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: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and by Your power I seek ability (from You) and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power but I have no power. You have knowledge but I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion and for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs – or he said: for [my] present and future – then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion and for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs – or he said: for [my] present and future – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 8, Hadith 6306)